First Impression - It's Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about a very interesting product from the It's Skin Power 10 Formula range, the Propolis formula! Apparently, Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive, and apparently in beauty products! Bee produce isn't so uncommon for beauty products, and definitely not the weirdest thing I've ever put on my face (hello snail slime) so let's see how it does!

What Does It Do?

"It's Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis (30ml)
The Propolis extract contained in this essence helps to restore, strengthen and bright up your skin for dewy, healthy and well hydrated results. It's Niacin Amide property promotes brightening effect to improve dull and tired look skin tone.
How to use?
Use it after cleansing and toning. Apply moisturizer afterwards to complete your skin care regimen.
For all skin types, especially for tired look skin." (1)

"Highly potent and concentrated serum improves skin's over-all health with a steady stream of nutrient-rich propolis and generous moisturizers to brighten dull skin and tighten enlarged pores. Rapidly penetrating formula sinks through skin's layers to reverse the effects of stress and damage right where they begin to form. For best results, smooth on a few drops of serum on cleansed and toned skin and follow with moisturizer to seal in hydration." (2)

I used two sample sachets of this product and can safely say that I love it! It absorbs quickly, provides light hydration with a matte finish and seems to make my acne heal faster. Obviously I'm not a dermatologist and can't confirm this, but Webmd tells me that "Propolis seems to have activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have anti-inflammatory effects and help skin heal." (3) A quick Google search from a couple of different resources tells me that Propolis is not fully researched yet, but seems to have some potential to help acne because of the anti-septic properties it has.

Would I Purchase This Product?

Yes, I already have! ^.^ I've been having some quite severe acne in Taipei and this product really seems to help it! I found an It's Skin counter in Kaohsiung and snapped it up for a moderately pricy $490TWD (around $20NZD) and I have NO REGRETS. I'm really excited to try the other tester samples of the Power 10 Formula range too! ^.^

Get Ready With Me In Taipei

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be getting ready to shop Wufenpu in Taipei! Wufenpu (ooh-fahn-pu) is a massive wholesale market where you can get super cheap clothing, shoes and accessories, it's one of my favourite places to shop in Taipei and literally takes around 9 hours to see every single store quickly. It's insane!

Sorry for the weird quality guys (360p whaat) but I hope you enjoyed getting ready with me! ^.^

Store Review - Peter Alexander

Hello Princesses!

Quick note - I am no longer going to continue posting Manicure Mondays, mostly because nobody seems to enjoy them (in comparison to my other posts) so Store Reviews/Fail Products will take their place on Mondays, while Sundays will be reserved for Sponsored reviews (if there are any!). This provides a little more clarity as to which posts are sponsored and provides you with more content that you enjoy and find helpful! ^.^

Today I'm going to be talking about my shopping experience with Peter Alexander! I've visited the Peter Alexander store in person a couple of times, but since it's in Auckland and I'm in Hamilton I don't always get the opportunity to see the new releases or take advantages of sales. I decided to make a purchase from the online store during the Boxing Day sale because of the awesome sales!

Website Practicality

I find the Peter Alexander website incredibly aesthetically pleasing (pink is almost always my favourite!) and quite practical. I love that there is an easily found search bar and not too many drop down category bars. Peter's sausage dog Penny is everywhere as part of the brand logo which I think is absolutely adorable!

Price Comparison

Peter Alexander Pajamas are quite a bit more expensive than my usual pajama prices, with some of his nighties pushing $100NZD, however the quality is quite a lot better and the designs are adorable. I purchased a Sleeping Beauty nightie from in-store that is absolutely incredible and well worth the $80NZD. I probably would not purchase a plain pair of sleep short for $50NZD though, that's pushing it a little far.

Shipping and Packaging

My package took three working days to arrive and was left with ATL (Attention To Leave) which means that the package is just left on your doorstep. ATL is great for me because my room is so far away from the front door that I never ever hear anyone knocking, so my packages very rarely make it into my house. The standard shipping cost is $8.99NZD.

The box is lined with super cute Penny print, and the tissue paper is pink with Penny print too which obviously makes me so super happy! There was a receipt inside the box with return and exchange information included. My garments were individually wrapped, tagged and folded, nothing was harmed during transit.

Products

I decided to make two purchases during the sale, the first is the cutest pair of pale blue gingham French Knickers, the other is a pale pink Henley shirt. Both were super cheap (50% off) when I purchased them.

Gingham French Knickers - $14.00

In a sweet gingham print you'll love these French knickers! Features include an elasticised waistband, beautiful lace trim and adorned with a ribbon bow. Complement with a PA sleep crop.

If your looking at these knickers and wondering why the crotch is so low, don't worry, I am too. -.- I purchased a size M and these fit perfectly - however, the cut leaves much to be desired. The crotch hangs halfway to my knees and the front and back panels are only attached to the waist band and not the sides, almost like someone forgot to stitch up the sides.

The combination of the pastel blue gingham, pink bow and black lace is incredibly lovely, but I certainly would not have bought these knickers in store because they cover less than my underwear. They are uncomfortable to sleep in due to the incredibly low crotch and I cannot wear them in front of anyone (eg, around the house). I cannot imagine what these knickers are useful for (Google tells me that French Knickers are meant to be worn under skirts, but these do not have slit sides).

The right picture is what the website shows, and what I intended to purchase. The left picture is what I received (which yep, I spelt wrong). The proportions are nothing like what is advertised, although the colours and print are correct. I would return these, but I totally fell asleep wearing them so they're no longer re-sellable. I am incredibly disappointed with this purchase and will not be able to wear them, making them useless and a waste of money. They just don't cover anything and the crotch hangs down so low that they're not sexy either.

Pa Classic Long Sleeve Henley - $19.00

Made in 100% cotton, this classic PA long sleeve top can take you through day or night. Features include a button detail front opening, long sleeves, regular fit and an embroidered Penny logo on the hem.

This pink long sleeve shirt is absolutely gorgeous, soft and flattering, however (of course) the sizing is completely off. According to this measurement chart, the M sizing should juuuust fit my bust, but be perfect for my waist and hips. The M size I received was absolutely massive, and by that I mean it was in between size XL and XXL.

Here are the actual measurements of the size M Long Sleeve Henley Top:

Bust 100cm 

Waist 90

Hip 110

length 68

It was also incredibly long, a decent length dress for me is 75cm long and this top reached my bum. I decided to exchange this top for a size XS which fits perfectly! It was incredibly easy to exchange the top and the replacement was sent off the same day the other was received.

What I Love

- Cute and practical website

- Cute sleepwear and accessories

- Easy exchange process

- Quick shipping

What I Don't Love

- Incorrect sizing (Pink top should have been labeled as a big fit)

- Incorrect photography (blue knickers)

Final Thoughts

Although I enjoyed my initial shopping experience with the online Peter Alexander store, I most likely won't shop online with them again purely because the sizing is not exact and the photos are not correct. I love shopping in their physical store and will continue to do so, but unless there is an online sale that I cannot travel to the physical store, I will not purchase from their online store again.

First Impression - Etude House Face Conditioning Cream

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about a semi-interesting face cream - the Etude House Face Conditioning Cream! In all honestly, I don't find face creams particularly interesting and this one seems pretty much just like the rest. However, I was quite intrigued to read that this face cream acts sort of like a makeup primer or "makeup booster"! 

 What Does It Do?

"Description

This is a quick and easy makeup boosting cream that smoothly conditions skin with its light and soft texture for a makeup-ready complexion.
Directions
After applying toner, spread a certain amount of Face Conditioning Cream evenly onto face.
Caution
1. Use only as directed.
2. Avoid storing in high and low temperatures and areas exposed to direct sunlight.
3. Cease use if problems arise.

Ingredients
WATER, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ARBUTIN, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), CETYL ALCOHOL, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, METHOXY PEG-114/POLYEPSILON CAPROLACTONE, PEG-100 STEARATE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SILICA, LIPASE, CHITOSAN, POLYPROPYLSILSESQUIOXANE, POLYACRYLATE-13, POLYISOBUTENE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALCOHOL, POLYSORBATE 80, XANTHAN GUM, DISODIUM EDTA, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, ADENOSINE, POLYSORBATE 20, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE" (1)

This cream is super thick, you only need a tiny pea sized amount to cover the face fully, but it's absorbed relatively quick due to the small amount that needs to be applied! Since I'm currently in Taipei and absolutely everything is air conditioned (even though it's winter) my skin has been super dry. I've been using this cream for the past week over the top of my regular skincare (facial oil, serum, moisturizer) and I've found that if I use too much, the cream flakes off in little balls. But if I use juuust enough, it makes my skin look and feel moisturized, and helps my foundation look super healthy! The cream does give a very slight blurring effect to my pores and fine lines, but you have to look pretty close to see that effect!

 Would I Purchase This Product?

Yes, I already have! I saw this face cream in an Etude House store and grabbed it while it was in a cute gift packet. It seems to work really well for me while in Taipei, but I will have to make an updated review once I'm back in New Zealand with a different climate! ^.^