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Monday, 30 March 2015

Store Review: KoreaDepart

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about KoreaDepart! This website sells Asian cosmetics, skincare, fashion, food and random items. I've never shopped here before, but was convinced that I needed to try their services when I saw they had a hard to find cleanser in stock!

Website Practicality
I find this website very average to naviagte, the thing that really irritates me is that you can't click anything that's not a link. So if I want to highlight the name of something and insert it as a link on my blog, I can't because I can't highlight anything on their page. It's actually quite annoying!

Price Comparison
I think KoreaDepart has decent pricing (great with sales too) but the shipping is quite high!

RoseRoseShop Missha Sunscreen $15.08 + Shipping $4.40 = $19.48USD
KoreaDepart Missha Sunscreen $14.33 + Shipping $8.62 =$22.95USD
W2Beauty Missha Sunscreen $25.61 + Shipping $2.50 = $28.11USD


Shipping and Packaging
The shipping is calculated on weight, and mine ended up costing $12.39. I placed my order on the 16th of March, and my package arrived on the 24th of March. I think this is quite possibly the quickest shipping I've ever had from overseas (other than Australia)!
My package was super securely wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap, but strangely had the invoice on the front of the package. Even though I didn't order that much, it still irritates me that it's on the front. My mailman definitely judges me!
My order wasn't damaged in any way, but it was actually missing a product! I received some cute little samples that I've never tried before and a full sized face mask too.

Products

My first product is one that I have been wanting for ages, but it's always sold out or out of stock! It smells and looks absolutely amazing, but I haven't tried it yet because I want to finish my other cleanser first!
The whole tube is filled with product too, so even though this cleanser is on the pricier side, at least it's still got good value for money!
The next product I bought is a repurchase, and my favourite sunscreen! If you would like to hear my thoughts on it, you can read my review here! ^.^
I'm so intrigued with this product, it remind me of the Mario Badescu drying lotion (which I haven't tried) either. I'm excited to try it next time I have a pimple! ^.^
This is the product that was missing, which is a shame because I just need this one last shadow and my Missha palette will be complete and able to be reviewed! I contacted KoreaDepart, and it turns out that the product was out of stock and they forgot to refund me. :C

I also received this lovely free sample package!
What I Love
- Extremely quick and safe shipping
- Easy to contact for missing items
- Items arrived in good, new condition
- Great range of Korean Cosmetics, clothes, food and random items.


What I Don't Love
- Package was missing one item :C
- Shipping is slightly expensive


Final Thoughts
I quite like shopping with KoreaDepart, apart from the fact that they forgot to include one of my items (it happens) and I can't click or highlight anything on their website! They have a great range of products, and when they're on sale they can be just as cheap as Roseroseshop too! I would definitely recommend KoreaDepart as a good shop for Korean cosmetics! ^.^

Friday, 27 March 2015

First Impression: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Serum

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about a neat product with a ridiculously long name; Missha's Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Serum! I've always quite enjoyed using Missha products, but haven't had much to do with their skincare range (apart from their sunscreen which is my absolute favourite!). This serum has been compared to the amazing Estēe Lauder Advanced Repair Night which I have been considering purchasing for a couple of months now, but was incredibly put off by the $150NZD price tag, so this sample sachet came to me at the perfect time!
What Does It Do?
"Skin cells regenerate best during the nighttime while you sleep.

The Time Revolution Night Repair line uses Retinol technology to give you an intensive 3D night care. It uses Night Science, Retinol Science, and Cell Science to give you smooth, glowing skin. The Serum strengthens and moisturizes skin, while also providing it with the necessary nutrients. Also has wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits." (1)

This serum has a thin and slightly sticky texture which makes my skin feel quite tacky for about 30minutes after application. I'm very glad that this is a night serum, because I don't think I would be able to stand the stickiness during the day time!
I only had one little sample sachet of this product, so I can't really see much difference in my skin in terms of wrinkle repair or skin whitening, but it makes my skin feel nice and moisturized in the morning without drowning it in oil! I did see a very subtle brightness in my skin after using this sample which I really liked!




Would I Purchase This Product?
I'm genuinely interested in this product, so I'm pretty keen to purchase it! A cheaper, but just as effective serum as the super expensive Estēe Lauder serum sounds like a good deal to me, so I think I will pick up a bottle of this Night Serum in my next Korean skincare purchase! ^.^


Have you tried this serum or the Estēe Lauder serum before? What are your thoughts?

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Review: MAC Disney Cinderella Collection

Hello Princesses!
Today I'm going to be talking about the absolutely gorgeous MAC Cinderella collection! I managed to pick up a few of the items (I'm not quite ballin' enough to buy the whole collection) and was incredibly lucky to have some vouchers to spend, because limited edition products at MAC are stupidly expensive. I believe this collection is pretty much sold out everywhere by now, but I couldn't resist showing off the gorgeous packaging! If you didn't manage to grab anything from this collection, don't be too sad because some of the products are quite honestly not my favourites.
Stroke of Midnight Palette - $44USD ($116NZD)
Eyes look entrancing in the softest browns, glimmering champagne and sparkle-flecked black of Stroke of Midnight. Transformed in specially designed pearlized light lavender blue packaging.
Shades from Left to Right:
Vapor, Phloof!, Omega, Quarry, Satin Taupe, Stroke of Midnight
I spent a long time deliberating if this palette would be worth $116, but as soon as I swatched it I was absolutely smitten! I don't have any MAC eyeshadows, so I didn't end up doubling colours since the only limited edition shadow in the collection is "Stroke of Midnight".


Iridescent Pressed Powder in Coupe D’Chic imparts a shimmering sheen that will make you the belle of the ball. Transformed in specially designed pearlized light lavender blue packaging.
I had such high hopes for this iridescent powder, but I find it rather average! Obviously the packaging is gorgeous, but the powder is just so sheer that it ends up looking like very sheer golden glitters. Even though the powder appears to be peachy pink, there is no hint of this colour in swatches or application. This confuses me, because Temtalia's swatches definitely show the peachy tone of this powder!
I applied this powder generously on the tops of my cheek bones, yet I can only see the most subtle golden shimmer. Am I doing it wrong? I really want the peachy tone of this powder to shine through!
The innovative mousse-like formula gives superior definition, volume and lift by filling in sparse lashes for a dramatic effect. This high coverage, long-lasting mascara is matched with a carefully calibrated molded brush with bristles evenly spaced in a geometric pattern to coat lashes with ample product, while keeping them separate and distinct. Lashes are left feeling supple and flexible (never brittle), clump-free and lightweight. Transformed in specially designed pearlized light lavender blue packaging.
This mascara has rubber bristles which I quite like for mascara application, because they keep my lashes separated really nicely. 
I'm intrigued at the mascara description and it does do some of the things that it states, but of course not everything! This mascara does an average job at volumizing my lashes, but a lovely job at lengthening and curling my lashes. My lashes feel flexible, lightweight, and it somehow manages to be mostly smudge-proof.
Even thought it's smudge-proof, it's surprisingly not waterproof in the slightest. I cut some onions, cried, and this happened! No rubbing or anything, just some tears!

Cinderella Lipstick in Royal Ball - $17.50USD ($44NZD)
Formulated to shade, define and showcase the lips. Available in two sweet hues with shimmering textures. Transformed in specially designed pearlized light lavender blue packaging.
This Lustre finish lipstick is quite sheer, even on my pale skin it barely shows up in swatch photos. I've seen it described as a "Frosty Chapstick" and I do have to agree with that description!
This lipstick lightens my lips a little which I quite like, and has a frosty finish. This does show up imperfections on the lips quite badly, so it's imperative that you make sure your lips are in the best condition possible before applying the lipstick! This lasts for about two hours on my lips before wearing off, but it wears off well, so you don't end up with a ring of colour around the outside of your lips and none in the middle!
What I Love
- Beautiful packaging
- Eyeshadows have amazing quality
- Lipstick doesn't dry out my lips
- Mascara curls and lengthens really well 
- Mascara doesn't smudge throughout the day


What I Don't Love
- Mascara isn't waterproof
- Lipstick is very sheer and shows imperfections on the lips
- Iridescent powder doesn't show the colour in the pan?
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love the packaging of this collection, and apart from the Iridescent powder I find them quite easy to work with. However, I don't think this collection is that amazing, and apart from the eyeshadow palette they are all products that I could live without or find better replacements for, (although I do quite like the colour of the lipstick after a week trying to make it work for me!).

Did you manage to pick up a couple of items from this collection, or did you miss out?