Skincare line: Caroline Chu

This skincare line was on Hautelook for the first time a few weeks ago, and I just got it in today. I decided to try it asap to give you my thoughts on it.

Left to right: Moisturizing Lotion w/SPF 15, Ginseng Anti-Aging Toner/Freshener, Night Cream Elastin & Collagen, Shower Gel

LOVE the elegant packaging! I thought it was so funny because I can't find these items on Ebay, and so the prices I paid seem to be the best deals (you can find these on Zappos and I think QVC).

Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 15 (3.8 fl oz/110mL. I paid $21.)
This was the one thing that I anticipated for the most because I'm still looking for the perfect SPF item. What I can't stand in SPF items are strong sunscreeny scents, and those that leave your skin with a cast of white. Well, this doesn't leave your skin white-ish, but there is a slight scent; nothing I can't handle though because I've smelled stronger before. It's lightweight and milky. I had some problems with the pump at first but it seems okay now. I just wish the nozzle were slightly longer so I wouldn't have to tilt the bottle to get the product into my hand and not all over the place... which will definitely be a problem when the product goes lower in the tube (because the straw will altogether have issues sucking up the lotion and pumping in the direction I want).

Ginseng Anti-Aging Toner/Freshener (4 fl oz/120 mL. I paid  $14.)
I read one or two reviews on this (as there weren't many reviews of this skincare line... period) and they seemed good; someone even named this as her holy grail product. It's for normal to dry skin and anti-aging so I thought BINGO! And I used it today. The first thing I noticed is the strong floral scent, and it's nothing I can't stand but it's something I really don't prefer (plus, I think it's awful strange that a toner is scented...). But even for my extremely sensitive skin, I was not irritated and I immediately felt the "freshening" effect. It's almost like a very slight tingle that really does wake your skin up, so that was definitely a new thing for me. All in all, I like this but I would prefer not to have the scent.

Night Cream w/Elastin and Collagen (1.69 fl oz/50 mL. I paid $26.)
As most night creams, this is a bit rich but not as rich as some other night time moisturizers that I've tried (for example the Dr. Grandel night time moisturizer which is far more rich). I might even say this is borderline greasy at first, but as it sinks into my dry skin I don't feel it much anymore. Has a bit of a plasticy scent. A little goes a long way (a nickle-sized dollop was all I needed for my entire face). I'm really not loving this lotion at all. But since it's skincare, I can't return it.

Shower Gel (11.8 fl oz/350 mL. I paid $14.)
This smells subtley of chamomile is a thin, clear, easy-lather gel. This is actually my favorite product from the line. It's supposed to be good fir sensitive skin and is infused with vitamins as well as "soothing aloe vera". I love the pump. This is a generous amount for the dollar I paid. Doesn't leave that squeaky-clean, uncomfortable feeling. May not buy it again but it's alright.

Top to bottom: Moisturizing Lotion, Night Cream, Shower Gel

So you may have noticed that everything I got had to do with anti-aging. I'm 21, and in the prevention process... so I can't tell you if it works or not until maybe a decade later. Even with that being said, I use so many different anti-aging items that it's hard to say which one is responsible for any certain positive results.

Brush Guard, now at Wal-Mart!

Do you remember the Brush Guard? Well: CLICK!

It's now at Wal-Mart! Whereas before, you had to order it online :( Basically what this is, is a stretchy plastic tube that goes where your brush bristles are when they are drying after cleansing. This keeps the shape of your brush! It's a maintenance thing, but I like it a lot. I've got two sets from a while ago when I ordered it online, but I'm happy to hear that it's more accessible today. Enjoy!

Tutorial: Naked 2, Maybelline Color Tattoo, and L'Oreal The Balm

Would anyone like a full review of any of the used products?

Tony Moly Berry Berry Magic Lip Tint

So I ordered Tony Moly products from a Korean seller on eBay recently... specifically, these:


They are so cute, right? Nice, sleek packaging carrying a jelly-consistency lip balm. The smell is fruity and sweet but not overpowering. I paid a little under 7 dollars for each, minus two dollars because I had ordered three items from the same vendor. It took about two to three weeks to get here which is normal for overseas shipping. Free shipping though!

Right to left:  03 Grape, 02 Apple, 01 Strawberry

Right to left:  03 Grape, 02 Apple, 01 Strawberry

I used a lip brush to do the swatches and, as predicted, since the product is jelly it was pretty soft and if careless your brush can easily poke a hole through. As you can see though, it changes color upon contact to your skin! For me each came out to be a bright pink, but it may be different for you. Some other reviewers from other blogs have said that the Grape edition came out to be a darker color for them, but as you can see, each balm came out to look quite the same for me. Maybe it'll be different once I wear them on my lips?

I believe it's similar technology to the mood lip glosses from Smashbox and Too-faced... the difference is, from what I understand, this Tony Moly product leaves a stain! In fact, when I wiped away the swatches the glossy shine left but the color stayed pretty well. These seem excellent for the girl on the go.

My only dislike is that I have to dip something into the pot in order to apply the product, and that's pretty lame if your fingers aren't clean (or when you have to wipe them off after application). It may not bother some of you, though. I'm interested to try this out as a cheek tint, too, although it's not the intention of the product. Overall, this is a pretty interesting product that I'm really excited to play with, and the price isn't too bad at all. Also, it's very cute!

Birch Box: December 2011, EBOOST

This is the EBOOST drink mix that I got in my December Birch Box. Can I tell you something? I hate it. I looked so cool in the cup when I poured it into the water; it fizzed, it foamed, and it smelled exactly like orange cream soda. Upon drinking it, I realized that it was a little carbonated... but didn't taste anything like orange cream soda. But what do you expect? It's a vitamin supplement, not a soda. 

Based on my taste buds, I think if I took this during a hangover, I'd throw up more. But I didn't get that opportunity yesterday because Caribou Coffee was having a BOGO :)

Notes on what it's supposed to do:
"The Natural Energy Booster with a tangy citrus burst and a lasting natural energy boost! This EBOOST formula is loaded with green tea, vitamins and super nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin D and B-12 in an easy to mix effervescent packet. It's low calorie and sweetened with Stevia too! ... What started as a celebrity secret for A-Listers like Madonna, Shakira, Oprah Winfrey and Amar’e Stoudemire is now a necessity for the multi-tasking generation.  We took the time to formulate a multi-purpose product that really works so you don’t have to waste time with mediocre products that sort of work." (Taken off of Eboost.com)