My First Impression to Paula Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel

If you're an interested in Paula Begoun's product, then you might have heard about BHA and AHA. For facial use, Paula offered several kind of BHA, including 2% BHA Gel which i've tried in sample size (yes, they have official sample size product!)

First, some introduction from paula choice :

What makes this product unique?
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant is a water-based formula that exfoliates both the skin's surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining to unclog pores and improve skin cell turnover rate. This creates a dramatic improvement in the skin's appearance, feel, and function especially for blemish-prone skin. There is a great deal of research indicating that BHA (beta hydroxy acid) increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin. Additionally, BHA has anti-bacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria. The silky gel base of this exfoliant is similar to the texture of the Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Gel Exfoliant but has twice the amount of salicylic acid to combat stubborn blemishes, including blackheads and white bumps.
This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with a pH range of 3.5-3.9. Every Paula's Choice BHA product is formulated with additional soothing agents.
Who is this product for?
All skin types may use this product, but the texture is especially suited for those with normal to very oily skin prone to blemishes.
NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

 I usually use 2% BHA Liquid with cotton ball (thats my method, and i feel enjoy with it), but i wanna try something else and there's gel type coming in. Please note that i'm only using sample size (1.5 ml actually), so it's just my first impression, okay?

What it does :

creates radiant, even toned skin

reduce redness & builds collagen

unclogs & diminished enlarge pores

Direction of use :

apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning. Apply a dime sized amount over entire face, including eyes (avoid lower lash line and eyelids). Do not rinse. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 25 or higher.

My way using it :

this sample size is enough for 3 days of use, twice a day.

i use very little amount and spread all over my face (avoid lower lash line and eyelids) right after cleansing because i'm rarely using toner this days.

2% BHA Gel is clear, has medium thick gel consistency.

Once applied, it feel much more sticky than liquid one and makes my face appear brighter than usual (not that i'm complaining).

Scent is stronger than liquid, but still acceptable. And it's not fragrance smell, it's chemical and gone after few seconds.

For me, it's more practical to use since i'm not using cotton ball here, but apply directly using my finger. My finger feel a tad drier than when i'm using liquid one but if i wash it properly after use, it's okay.

While combating acne, it perform worse than liquid.

I don't know it's just me or what, since Paula said liquid and gel type BHA are basically the same, with different texture only. But i think Liquid works better on me.

PRO's :

Clinically proven non irritating

BHA (for me, it's always a plus)

doesn't causing me break out

easier to apply

makes my face appear brighter

CONs :

 Stronger scent

Doesn't perform as good as liquid type BHA

 makes my fingers drier after application (need to wash properly)

However, if i can't get Liquid BHA, Gel type is much more better than none at all.

Have you tried Paula's product?

I'm still reading her book and hopefully, trying her AHA in short time :)

instagram @taniaasvs

selling beauty stuff and everything in between @Primafacie_Corner

 

 

 

Review : The Body Shop Olive Beautifying Oil

What type of body moisturizer do you like recently?

I used to be a Body Butter enthusiast, and even I know about body oil for so long, I haven’t tried one because I think it’s greasy. Lately, using my birthday discount (it’s 10% if you’re not Love Your Body Fan member, and 20% off if you’re LYB Fan Member) I bought their Beautifying Oil out of curiosity. I’ve just using it since last January, after having it about almost a year.

What is Beautifying Oil?

According to the Body Shop, it’s made with lightweight blend of nut oils and Marula Oil to give instant hydration and shimmering finish. It can be use on Body, Hair and Face.

How to Use.

Well.. I am writing based on my experience, because I can’t find specific information about how to use in bottle and website.

It’s not mean to use anytime, it have to be apply over wet skin. Best to use after shower, or at least put some oil on your skin before hand.

It’s still wouldn’t sink fast, wait and see. I haven’t have no dry skin spot all over my body for years, with their body butter and lotion. Even the one specifically purposed for dry skin.

Okay, I love it so so much, even with the not so practical application. Then I found that its now $14 or about IDR 169,000 here. Okay theres sale etc etc but yeah, it’s expensive.

ingredient list (click for bigger pic)

 

Mine is “Olive” because I think it’s one subtle scent of theirs. The scent is like their other olive product and I think I like it.

 The bottle is all plastic, with flip cap.

Personally i think it does good enough to carry around (if needed) but some say it's not safe enough. Maybe it's good but you still need to be careful.

olive beautifying oil

 Olive Beautifying Oil is medium thick oil. It feels greasy and wont sink if you’re apply over dry skin. Remember to wash or at least water your skin first. Wait some moment until it's sink completely and you'd forgot you have something on if you're can't spot its scent.

I’ve said that it works wonder on my body, and lovely on my hair too (just remember not to apply too much) but I refuse to use the same hair and body oil on my face. No. Especially since parfum/fragrance listed as third ingredient. Oh, No.

I love olive’s scent and though it doesn’t said out loud, I feel fresh after applying it. I haven’t experienced before with another body oil of mine (will review after I use it much enough) and I love the sensation.

Summary?

Okay, here you go.

PROs :

• Available locally (it’s body shop! I think they’re everywhere)
• Works wonder on my body and hair
• Fresh feeling
• Smell lovely (for me)
• Contains anti oxidant

Cons :

• Not to practical application (but after some while, you're skin is great and no need to apply it anytime)
• Expensive
• Have fragrance on third ingredient list
• Sometimes it's greasy if youre not careful

I'd love to say i'd repurchase but i think i wanna try their Wild Argan Radiant Oil first ^____^

instagram @taniaasvs

selling beauty stuff and everything in between @Primafacie_Corner

Short Review and Swatch for Essie Time for Me Time (Resort 2015)

I don’t feel like 2015.

And suddenly January 2015 feels like long time ago, now as we just start another new month. Okay, it was this collection from Essie that makes me hit reality.

As long as I know, Resort collection from Essie usually launch in middle of year, when summer in Europe. That’s why they usually has bright neon color, to compliment summer, beach and brightness (correct me if I’m wrong). However Resort 2015 launched very early and their collection is range in basic color. I guess many of nail polish lover has coral (Stone n Roses), soft brown (Cocoa Karma), blue purple (Suite Retreat) and pearly white (Time for Me Time). Being a new nail polish junkie, I grab this collection because it seems fit into my daily use. I bought the sweet mini set btw, not full size one. I’ll review one by one though from now on I can tell you Cocoa Karma is my very favorite. I’ve uploaded some not-so-good-picture of it in my instagram : @taniaasvs.

 

Essie Time for Me Time font bottle

This mini bottle contains of 5ml of product. Since the bottle is long and square, you got illusion that you get more than you really is. But it’s okay, it’s really modest and chic.

Essie Time for Me time, sticker.

 Sweet! I love how Essie put a small sticker name under the bottle, it does help you recognize which are which.

Essie Time for Me Time's brush

 Essie’s brush is long and wide. Some said even regular size’s brush is too small for them, but I think brush in this mini size (because I don’t know if theres difference between regular and small size brush) fit me nicely. 

Essie Time for Me Time swatch under sun

Essie Time for Me Time swatch indoor (still so bright)

 Time for Me Time is pearly white, with slight pink iridescent in the bottle. On me, it’s pearly pinky white and much less shiny than it’s appearance in bottle. It’s really nice to daily basic and gives you something more than just plain white.

The texture is just right and spread well. It’s also self leveling. But Time for Me Time doesn’t mean to be opaque polish, with 2 layer I am still could see my nail line and all but it much better than OPI Bubble Bath who gives me very low coverage.

Lasting power is good, it could stay 5 days without chipping on me, the same as OPI polish. Here I use 2 layers and Innisfree Eco Quick Dry Multi Coat on top.

PROs :

Give you clean, modest nail for daily color palette

Easy to apply

Good lasting power

Self leveling

Cons :

Hard to get in Indonesia

Not so opaque

On expensive side

Dupeable

Thought it's not my favorite color but i appreciate it's texture and hey, it doesn't look so bad on me right?

instagram @taniaasvs

selling beauty stuff and everything in between (for indonesian residence only) @Primafacie_Corner