[Review] Skin Food Platinum Grape Cell (Gift Set Sample)

Just realized that I have a lot of samples in my closet (some from way back, courtesy of my dearest bitch Princess Milk who is an absolute darling during my Seoul visit).

I feel like clearing them before I touch on my recent purchase of snail cream (sadly that's the only skincare purchase I got there. I am very surprised and disappointed with myself T-T ).

Today I am touching on the first use of Skin Food Platinum Grape Cell. Sad to say I don't really like it. Mainly due to the packaging. More on that later.

Description of Skin Food Platinum Grape Cell Emulsion & Toner 
(taken from http://eng.theskinfood.com/)

• Skin Brightening & Anti-wrinkle.

• A premium anti-aging emulsion containing grape cells and platinum particles that brighten  and firm aging skin from the inside out.

Sounds promising! I am already at the age where I need a lot of help to keep my face from sagging so this is really going on my Christmas list if it really works as claimed. Not to mentioned that the design is super unique! Looks totally like a wine bottle! ^^

I am just testing using the gift set sample.This is the box it comes with. I am a huge fan of the color purple and I like the rustic feel of the embossed design on the box. Up to there I am truly pleased.

Here's where things starts to go wrong. And no I am not complaining about the obviously not fully filled bottle of toner. Both toner and emulsion are thick liquids. Usually in this case, manufacturers with intelligence and those who give the slightest damn will place it in a sealed foil package instead of bottles like this. Don't get me wrong. I hate the sealed packages with a passion. Just that it makes more sense in this scenario.

In the end I got really frustrated, not to mention that it hurts a lot , trying to dump the slightest bit of the emulsion and toner on my palm. I have to resort to using a cotton bub to scoop them out, is that their intention in the first place?

The retail bottles looks like it might be some kind of pump. Hopefully that will be better as something with such a thick consistency really ought to be packaged in something beside just bottles like this.

After application it gives a sticky feeling and it doesn't fade away after 20 mins. 

Pros

• Cool design.  Especially on the retail versions.
• Solution is slightly purplish!
• Sweet smell, between wine and grape candy.

Cons

• Solution is hard to retrieve (from sample bottles)
• Solution stays on skin for a loooong time.
• Sticky consistency

Verdict: Hmmm...don't think I will be purchasing the retail version. My skin seems helpless in absorbing the toner and emulsion. Got to look for other anti-aging alternatives then. :(

#update: Though I felt tightening on the 3rd and 4th day of using it, I did not seen any visible improvement in the texture of my skin. It MIGHT work as seeing as I am reviewing based on a gift sample, but as it might take longer than a week or two to show.

[Review] CoC Eye Flower Lash & Brow Tonic

Been buying a lot of items of Qoo10 these days so I decided to dedicate a blog for others to make a better decision on their future purchases. None of my reviews are advertorials (nobody wants to pay me *cries) so you can be assured that they are all honest and heartfelt reviews that will hopefully equip readers with knowledge to make better judgement on the products.

My first review is on CoringCo Eye Flower tonic. 

According to the site, Eye Flower comprises of chinese medicine and natural moisturizers specifically designed to strengthen, curled and enhance the elasticity of lashes.It is a product from South Korea and has been receiving raved reviews from Korea and Japan since its launch.

I bought this product from this seller :http://list.qoo10.sg/item/Qoo10SET-HAIR-TONIC-HAIR-TONIC-EYELASHESQoo10/400974884?selectedOptions=

Delivery was fast - took approximately a week or so before the courier man knock on my doors. It arrives in a silver foil packaging (as seen below) and the product itself is further bubble-wrapped to prevent any hits and bumps causing damage to the product.

I love that the seller sent a thoughtful note sending well wishes for vain girls like me to become more beautiful.

The product comes with two bottles,  basically containing the same essence. The only difference would be one contains a mascara brush and one contains something akin to a longer version of a nail polish brush. The "nail polish brush" is actually meant for your eye brows (it is mentioned that it works to salvage the reclining hairline of guys) but if you want to use both bottles for eye lashes, just feel free to bring the brush over to the new bottle when you are done with one.

I did not manage to get any before pictures of my lashes so an after photo seem a bit pointless, but I will try to describe more on the product itself. 

Prior to using the product, I have irritating short lashes that makes it impossible to curl or apply mascara. Even the best and most expensive mascara will fail on my lashes because that's how stubborn they are.

It is advised that you perform two application of Coc Eye Flower daily - once in the morning and once at night. To be honest, I just apply whenever I remembered to so there are times I go as far as 4 applications! 

I had been using this for more than a month now and even though I didn't go as far as to measure the tiny milimetres my lashes grew with each passing day, the changes is actually pretty visible. In the past, nobody can identify if I have any eyelashes since they are so damn short anyway that they are basically negligible. After a week of using Coc Eye Flower tonic, you can see that the lashes are indeed longer, thicker and blacker (if there is a color darker than black). I am most pleased with the results on my lower lashes. I never knew how to put falsies on my lower lashes but now I DON'T HAVE TO! YIPEE! I can easily achieve dolly eyes without worrying about the glue holding the lashes not being able to last throughout the day.

 And the lashes do felt softer but more flexible. Best part is, with constant application of the thickest coat of mascara possible, the lashes does not falls out when you remove the mascara at the end of the day! 

The product definitely looks like it will last! Despite my numerous application for the past month, I am still left with 7/8 of the first bottle!

Pros 

• Works as advertised
• Good base coat before application of mascara
• Helps to prevent lashes from dropping when removing mascara
• Value for money - one bottle could last you about 6-8 months
• Attractive pink flowery packaging

Cons

• The bottle is practically overflowing so when you tried to push the brush back after the intial few applications, the essence just kind of overflows. Not that I am complaining ^^

Verdict : I would definitely buy again when the two bottles runs out! It would take about 2 years though, judging from how lasting each bottle is!