Unboxing Beauty

I curated a bag over the summer time for Beauteque and I really enjoyed coming up with the items in my Fresh Citrus Fix collection for you.  I was very surprised and honored when Beauteque approached me  a few months ago to curate another collection for my readers.  Once again, I chose the theme of the collection , the name of the collection , wrote the theme description, personally picked out each item and then wrote the reason why I picked them!  This is very much a bag personal and dear to me.   Be warned ~ This blog post is very long with lots of photos!  Can you tell how much I love this collection?!   And I have a giveaway for you at the end of this review 🙂

image credit

Why did I pick Jeju Island?  Every one loves Jeju Island, it seems, and I am no exception to the rule!  If you read my blog, you know one of my favorite brands is Innisfree, which uses ingredients sourced from Jeju Island.  Called “The Hawaii of South Korea”, Jeju Island is known for all of its wonderful natural resources ~ from the earth and sea, lush plant life and minerals.   Jeju Island was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011 ~ The island is not only a popular vacation destination  with its natural wonders and unique culture, their stone men (Dolharubang) and their beautiful and breathtaking temples, rare volcanic cones (oreum), but also for cosmetic companies.    Cosmetic companies appreciate the purity of the natural resources and there is a high demand to use Jeju Island ingredients in their products.     

image credit

Travel Destination: Jeju Island

Informational Card

 

Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Bija Facial Sheet Mask I only have a very few masks that work for me in terms of helping reduce redness and swelling with blemishes and help control oil.  Innisfree Bija mask is the first one that I reach for and it really does help my skin when I have a blemish ~ it helps soothe and reduce the redness and swelling.   What is Bija?  Bija (Torreya Nucifera)  is a part of the pine family and this evergreen tree grows in both Japan, known as Japanese Nutmeg-Yew, and on Jeju Island, where it is called Bija.  This oil helps soothe skin that is acne prone or irritated and according to Innisfree, this ingredient can only be harvested once it has reached maturity at 20 years and its properties help enhance your skin’s natural defense system.  

Is there any truth to that?  Well, there is a study that does show that Bija is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial and their findings do back up Innisfree’s claims that it helps with soothing your skin ~ “In conclusion, we have demonstrated that TEO (Torreya nucifera essential oil) has good anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we suggest that TEO may be an effective therapeutic agent to promote skin health”  You can read the study here.

This mask is made with a 3 layer of artificial silk, and not only contains Bija Oil, but the famous Innisfree Green Complex formula of  green tea, tangerine, cactus, camelia leaves and orchid extracts, to help hydrate and enhance your skin’s complexion.   It does have a slight scent that of pine, due to the Bija Oil, but it isn’t unpleasant or harsh.  This mask is a very wet mask, with a lot of essence.   I picked this mask out of all of the Innisfree masks, as it is one of my top favorites!    RV $1.90

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethanol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bija Oil (1mg), Sodium Hyaluronate, Tangerine Peel Extract, Orchid Extract,  Green Tea Extract, Camellia Leaf Extract, Prickly Pear Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance cosDNA.com analysis

 

image credit 

 image credit 

 

 

Innisfree Capsule Wash Off Pack ~ choose from Volcanic Clay OR  Canola Honey   I really wish that I could have both of these wash off packs in your bag, but it is called a Collaboration for a reason ~ I don’t always get what I want 😉 I did pick two of the more popular wash off pack types that really highlight two of Jeju Island’s most famous ingredients.  These are good for 2 uses if you have a big face like me or up to 4 times if you have a smaller face or use it on targeted facial areas.   I always purchase these capsule packs as they are the perfect size for traveling and they make excellent little gifts too!  Full Size Capsule 10 mL Value $4.50

Innisfree Capsule Wash Off Pack in Jeju Volcano Clay   If you want to detox and clean out your skin of dirt and oils, choose this pack!  This capsule pack is the same as Innsifree’s full size full sized Volcanic Clay Mask, which has the exact ingredients.  This capsule pack is good for more than one use and you can poke that tail on the lid into a slot that is on the bottom of the pack container, so it doesn’t dry out right away.  But I would suggest using it within a week, because it will dry out.   The Jeju Volcano pack is smooth, a light taupe color and has a mousse-like texture, very easy to spread your my face and it has a cooling effect.  Massage on your face and then leave it on for 15 minutes.  It doesn’t dry down horribly, so it will not cause your face to tighten as it dries.  Rinse off with lukewarm or cool water and pat dry.  I also have owned this product in the past so it is nice to see it here in this box, as it is a really good clay mask.

Unboxing Beauty Tip:  Give yourself a spa treatment at home!  Before applying this wash off pack, open up your pores by “steaming” your face.  Cleanse your face first.   Take a microfiber or high quality cotton face towel, wet the towel with water, wring it out and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds.   Make sure the towel is not too hot ~ if it is, let it cool down ~ then place on your face for 5 to 10 minutes, until cool.  Remove and then apply your Jeju Volcano Clay pack.

This mask is one of Korea’s best skincare products and is an award winning product that will provide 6 pore care functions

1. Minimizes pores by contracting them
2. Controls excess oil (sebum) production
3. Exfoliates as it contains Jeju Volcanic ingredients which contains AHA.
4. Cleanses and removes dirt and unclogs pores
5. Brightens up skin tone
6. Cools skin

This capsule is free of artificial colors, artificial fragrance, parabens, animal-based ingredients, and mineral oils.

Ingredients:  water, butylene glycol, titanium dioxide, silica, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, trehalose, volcanic ash, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, bentonite,  zinc oxide (CI 77947), polysorbate 60,  camellia sinensis leaf extract, citrus unshiu peel (tangerine) extract, opuntia coccinellifera (pricky pear) fruit extract, orchid extract, camellia japonica leaf extract, cryptomeria japonica leaf extract, bambusa vulgaris extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract,  kaolin, polyvinyl alcohol, hydrogenated vegetable oil, PVP, dextrin, PEG-100 stearate,  sorbitan stearate, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, lactic acid, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, disodium EDTA, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, iron oxide (CI 77491)   cosDNA.com analysis

image credit

image credit

 

Innisfree Capsule Canola Honey Wash Off Pack  If you want a more moisturizing pack, pick the Canola Honey!   Honey seems to be a “miracle” ingredient as not matter what your skin type, you will find it will work for you.  Honey has antibacterial properties, that can speed up healing in your skin ~ think acne, rashes, cuts ~ and prevent additional infection. The wonderful texture of honey will keep moisture close to your skin, which makes for a glowing and radiant complexion. Not only does honey keep moisture in your skin, but it is humectant, which means it attracts moisture too! Honey is also an antioxidant, which means it helps repair and combat any damage caused by free radicals and prevents premature wrinkling.

This pack has a light, sweet floral honey scent and its texture is like honey.  Canola honey contains flavonoids, which not only provide anti-oxidant, but anti-inflammatory benefit as well, to help soothe your skin.   Canola honey is rich in protein and other nutrients which will help firm and put a “bounce” back into your skin.   This is free from mineral oil, animal ingredients, artificial fragrance, artificial color and talc.

You just massage in this pack onto your face and then wait 15 minutes to wash off fully.  It is very sticky, so make sure that your hair is pulled back from your face, otherwise, your hair will stick to your face!

Ingredients: Glycerin, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caramel, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide 3, Acacia Senegal Gum,Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol,Yellow 5 (CI 19140),  Diglycerin,Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract,Centella Asiatica Extract,Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract  cosDNA.com analysis

 

 

Beyond Bamboo Soothing Gel 96%  What?  A soothing gel during the wintertime?  I only use them in the summer!!  Yes, I can hear it now ~ why did I pick a soothing gel when the months are getting cooler?  Soothing gels are great for sunburns and rashes and believe it or not, you can get some wicked sunburns in the wintertime.  Many people skip their sunscreen step during the winter, as they think that because it is cold, they aren’t exposed to the sun.   Nope, not so.  In fact, the light reflecting off the snow and bouncing back into your face is just as bad as if you were on the water!   Even overcast days can cause burns and when you are outside ~ shoveling snow, skiing or making snow angels ~ you will get exposure to the sun. 

This gel from Beyond is made with 96% bamboo extract, directly sourced from Jeju Island.   Beyond is a little known brand in the Western K-Beauty circles, but I have tried several products from them, including their Apple-Mint line, and I really do like this brand as they are also very eco-friendly, which is why I included it in this collection. 

Why Bamboo?   Bamboo contains over 70% of silica, which is a crucial item when it comes to your skin’s connective tissue, collagen.   By stimulating certain cells, silica helps strengthen your collagen and elastin, which in turn will help firm and tone your skin and plump up your skin, so fine lines and wrinkles are not as noticeable.   Bamboo also is a very soothing ingredient that is good for sensitive skin, as it is an anti-irritant, retains moisture and helps combat free radicals as it does contain anti-oxidant proprieties as well.

This product as contains other soothing and hydrating ingredients:

• Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice Root Extract) ~ Soothes and calms the skin, while acting as an anti-inflammatory and also reduces hyper-pigmentation.
• Glycerin ~ An humectant that attracts water to hydrate the skin.
• Panthenol (Vitamin B5) ~ This is an excellent hydrating ingredient for your skins growth

Beyond’s gel is thick, not watery gel that absorbs quickly into my skin and does not leave a sticky or tacky feeling.  It does make my skin feel cool to the touch as well.    The scent is not floral but clean and light, which is nice ~ if you don’t like heavy scented items or wish to use a perfume, this gel won’t be an issue on that front.   This gel does contain alcohol, but I haven’t found it to be drying nor does it smell like alcohol.  This is not a replacement for a moisturizer but an enhancement for me.  I use soothing gels for a variety of reasons

• As an after shave soothing gel for my legs.  I do feel it really helps prevent bumps and rashes where I have shaved.  This would also be good for men too, as the scent is unisex.
• I mix this gel in with my body moisturizer ~ it helps with application, as the moisturizer is more easily spread, adds additional hydration to my skin and cuts down on the drying time of my body lotion.
• Apply to your hair for a quick treatment to help give gloss and shine.   I do this if I have been outside for a long time and my hair has dried out due to exposure to the elements.  This is not greasy, so it doesn’t weigh my hair down.
• Treating sunburns or skin rashes ~ I find this really helps cool down and soothe my skin
• Fevers ~ When I am sick and hot from a fever, I do apply this on my face, arms, legs and anywhere that feels hot and needs cooling.   It does feel really nice on my skin and when I am sick, I need all of the nice things I can get!

About Beyond  BEYOND is a Korea skincare brand that was established in 2005. It is a total care brand which encompasses Face, Body & Hair Care. BEYOND believes there is only one way for human to be happy and beautiful – constant communication with Mother Nature. In order for our future generations to live happily under permanent communication with Mother Nature, BEYOND always strive for healthy and sustainable environment. Eco-friendly BEYOND, sourced proven and effective natural extracts with core vitality from nature, which provides genuine natural beauty and charm for customers. Brand slogan is “Eco Beauty for Mother Nature and Human Being”.

 

Ingredients: Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Alcohol Denat., Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Water, Fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

image credit

image credit

image credit

 

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder  I used to purchase the very expensive MUFE HD MicroFinish Powder to help control shine and oil.   Then I discovered this little gem and I haven’t looked back.   This is a very popular item and all skin tones and types can use and benefit from Innisfree’s No-Sebum Mineral Powder.    This finely milled powder looks white in the compact, but when you blend it into your skin with a nice fluffy brush, it is translucent ~ don’t use too much of this!  A little goes a long way to achieve the look of flawless skin and because it contains silica, you do need to blend this in, otherwise you will have a flash back in photos ~ but that is a common problem with all silica powders, including the very expensive one mentioned.  This minimizes the appearance of pores, controls oil shine and makes your skin feel silky smooth.    Even if you do not have oily skin, this is a fantastic finishing powder as it will help “set” your makeup and make it last longer.   What I also love about this product is that it.does.not.cake, no matter how many times you apply it to your face! 

I selected the loose powder over the compact, as I do find it more versatile even though it may be a bit cumbersome to carry in your purse.   This powder can also be used in a variety of ways, including oil blotting, reducing shine, as an eye primer, finishing powder and as a dry shampoo ~ just dab some of this powder into the roots of your hair and scalp to soak up oil and grime and then brush out.

No-Sebum Mineral powder is made with natural minerals and wild mint extracts sourced from Jeju Island.  Some people swear they can smell the mint in this product and I, alas, cannot smell it!  This powder will give you a natural, soft matte finish without being harsh and it will help soften and blur fine lines, wrinkles and pores.    Innisfree also makes a tinted version of this powder, No-Sebum Blur Mineral Powder, but the tint is light and would not work for all skin tones, whereas this product will.   It is free from parabens, talc, artificial colors, mineral oil, artificial fragrance and animal ingredients.   Full Size 5 g  RV $9.99

 

 

Ingredients: silica, corn starch modified, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, caprylic/caprictriglyceride, mica, methicone, mineral salts, camellia sinensis leaf extract, mentha arvensis (wild mint) leaf extract, ethylhexylglycerin, dimethicone, glyceryl caprylate, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, 1,2-hexanediol, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

 

The Face Shop Jeju Tangerine Dry Oil   I have oily skin, so I don’t need a facial oil, right?  Wrong!   Now granted, when facial oils first came out, it was very confusing and heartbreaking for me to use them, as they were formulated, for the most part, for drier skin than mine.  I would break out, my skin would get more greasy, and it was just a horrible experience for me.  However, great strides in facial oils for oily and combo-oily skin have been taken in the last few years.  Brands are using lighter oils such as grape seed, hemp or neem oils, that are well suited for oily skin.  And then… there are DRY oils, which I really love and The Face Shop Jeju Tangerine Dry Oil is my bae.    Dry oils are still oils, don’t get me wrong ~ but they are lightweight, quick to absorb into your skin and leave no oily residue behind.   They do work on all skin types, not just oily or combo skin types.  

Description: The dry oil with a velvety texture contains the moisturizing properties and rich nutrients of Jeju Tangerine. Contains extracts of Jeju tangerine fruit that only grow in naturally pristine environments. The active agents moisturize the skin and restore its healthy glow. The formula seeps into the skin without leaving any residue and is just as good for the hair and body as the face. Jeju’s Fruit: Hwanggeumhyang or Hallabong, special tangerine species of Jeju, is rich in vitamins and polyphenols, making skin clear and bright. It is called the “Scent of Wealth and Masterpiece”, because it is a rare fruit culivated only in Jeju Island. The Face Shop is sponsoring eight Olle Trails in Jeju

The Face Shop Jeju Tangerine Dry Oil (which will be referred to as TFS going forward, as this is a mouthful to type out) has a beautiful light citrus scent from the Hallabong ~ it is warm and a bit nutty, due to the argan and macadamia nut oils in this product.   When I apply it to my skin and massage it in, my skin is so silky smooth and satiny that it is like I put a primer on my skin and it just erased away any roughness and skin imperfections.  TFS does not have a greasy finish, so it does not add to excess shine or oil on my face.   Another bonus is that TFS only has twelve ingredients!   Let’s break down what some of those ingredients are.

Ingredients: coco-caprylate/caprate, dicaprylyl ether, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, limmanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, fragrance, argania spinosa kernal oil, caprylic/capric glycerides, dipropylene glycol, citrus tangerina (tangerine) extract, tocopheryl acetate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, diethylhexyl syringylidene malonate  cosDNA.com analysis

• Coco-caprylate/caprate comes from coconut oil and provides a light, silky feel and hydration.  It penetrates the top skin layer and helps your skin cells regenerate.

• Dicaprylyl ether is an oil derived from plants and it is a skin conditioner, emollient and solvent and it helps smooth and soften your skin.  This emollient is dry and non-greasy.

• Macadamia oil is rich in moisturizing essential fatty acids:  oleic acid for moisture and anti-inflammatory properties, palmitoleic acid for healing any skin issues and linoleic acid is important as it not only hydrates your skin, but helps restore your skin’s moisture barrier function.  It also can penetrate to the deeper layers of your skin.

• Argan oil also contains essential fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps provide moisture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and it is an anti-aging oil, as it is a rich source of anti-oxidants.  Argan is often called “liquid gold” as it is a multi-tasker ~ restoring elasticity for  firmer  and youthful  looking skin, deep hydrating properties help bring radiance and it also helps with reducing blemishes.

• Limnanthes Alba (meadowfoam) oil has excellent anti-oxidant and skin softening properties and benefits.  It has rich texture that helps with your skin’s barrier and locks in your skin’s moisture, preventing dryness.   It also is used to extend the shelf life of other oils

• Tangerine extracts are rich in vitamin A & C, citric acid and beta-carotene, all which help firm your skin, refine your skin’s texture, combat free radicals due to its anti-oxidant properties.  It also is an anti-septic, to help fight infections (like acne), removes debris from your skin and helps your cells rejuvenate.

 

Unboxing Beauty Tip:  I have oily skin, so for me, hydration is more important than heavy creams for me.   I already enjoy using my Hyaluronic Acid Essence from cosRX and I will add 1 or 2 drops of TFS oil into 1 ~ 2 pumps of my HA essence.  Using this mixture on my face gives me optimal hydration and moisture without a heavy greasy feeling.   Don’t use an HA essence?  You can also use a snail essence, propolis or any essence that is known for its hydrating properties.   If you have drier skin, you can use your favorite cream and add a few drops of this oil in there, for more moisture and a silky smooth finish.   You can also use this beautiful oil in your hair ~ a couple of drops applied to the ends of my hair is enough for me, but for those with dry or coarse hair, you can apply it all over ~ it leaves such a nice sweet warm scent as well as conditioning and smoothing your hair.

You know how much I love this oil?  I own THREE bottles of this!  One that I am currently using, one that I purchased again as a backup, and this one from my collection.  My only complaint with this product is the applicator ~ I have to be careful or the pump leaks and I am looking to replace mine with another eyedropper applicator.    Full Size 40 mL RV $24.50

 

image credit

image credit

image credit

 

This collection favors a really popular brand that is known for its Jeju Island ingredients, Innisfree, plus another popular brand of a lesser known product, The Face Shop and a lovely soothing gel from Beyond, which makes some nice products and I have enjoyed their selections.  I had a lot of fun putting this collection together and believe me, I could have added the whole island!!  I know this is missing my beloved soy, but I couldn’t get those in this collection.  However, I was able to get that wonderful dry oil, which I hope that you will enjoy.   I hope you will love this collection as much as I do and you can purchase Unboxing Beauty Travel Destination: Jeju Island  for $33.99 plus shipping/handling.  Beauteque does ship internationally to Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

My collection’s Beauteque Value is a value of almost $56.00  and you can find a couple of the products cheaper elsewhere ~ however, when shipping is added, it does even out.  I did do the research on that one and made sure that my bag not only included some favorites that I have reviewed here on my blog in the past, but also some that I have kept under wraps, as I didn’t want everyone to guess what was in the bag before I officially wrote up the review!    I hope you will enjoy using the products in this collection as much as I enjoyed picking them out for you.   Just so everyone knows, I receive no money or any type of  commission from the sale of this bag.

Just a Reminder: Please review the ingredients lists.   If you are in doubt if a product will work for you, always patch test on your skin first.  I have used these products with no issues, but as the saying goes ~ YMMV ** your mileage may vary. 

 

 

 

Once again, Obi thinks HE is giving this bag away!!  Of course 😀   I did purchased this collection for my readers, because I am really excited about the products I chose and want to share the love!   This collection contains the Canola Honey Wash Off Pack.   This giveaway is open to USA and any country that the USPS ships too. 

BONUS: If you repost my Instagram photo (click here for IG post) and tag 3 friends for the contest and you win, I will add in 10 masks, randomly chosen from my personal stash, to your prize!  You need to verify with me that it is your account on IG, of course, and repost it before the contest ends on 11/23/2015 😀 

Don’t forget to like me and follow me on Facebook and Instagram!  I’ve moved on FB, so I would REALLY appreciate it if you did so 🙂

What you need to do to enter

• Use the Entry Link below to enter via Rafflecoper.  This will open a new page with the entry form.  This is legit as my copy of wordpress does not allow me to embed the entry form directly into my blog.
• All entries will be verified and anyone who has multiple accounts will be disqualified.
• Qualified entry will then be randomly drawn.
• I will notify the winner within 24 hours of the contest close. The winner will have 36 hours from then to contact me  with the following information:  their full name and mailing address as it should be addressed for their country
• If the winner does not contact me within 36 hours,  another winner will be selected and the original entry is null and void

 

What you need to know

beautyfindsforme is me 🙂

By entering, you are agreeing to all of the following items:

• beautyfindsforme is not responsible for damages due to shipping, lost, stolen packages or any other issues.  Once the parcel is mailed out, it is out of my hands.
• Once beautyfindsforme has the winner’s information, beautyfindsforme will ship it out and give the winner a tracking number (if applicable)
• The winner is responsible for verifying the products and their contents and to determine the suitability of those products for their own needs.  beautyfindsforme is not responsible for the actual products and ingredients.
• This is an international giveaway.  beautyfindsforme will pay for shipping and your country must be one that the USPS (United States Postal Service) ships to.  Please check their site to see if they ship to your country.
• The winner is responsible for any custom and/or import duties in their country.  beautyfindsforme is not responsible for those fees.
• You must be 18 years of age or older (or the age of majority in your own country), or must have the express permission of a parent or legal guardian to enter and receive the prize.
• Please ~ would love it if you would post photos of your prize on IG and/or Facebook so people know where you got these great products!  And that I am legit in offering giveways! 

 

To Enter, Click on the below image and follow the instructions!  This contest will end on November 23,  2015.  Some of the entries you can do daily, so enter more often for a greater chance to win!

 

[ these products are complementary for review purposes.  All opinions are my own ]

[ Giveaway Collection is paid by Unboxing Beauty ]

[ descriptions in italics are from linked website ]