New year, more reviews! Since I haven't decided what or if I want to do the traditional Project Make a Dent this year I thought I would start the first post off this time around with something I thoroughly enjoyed using in 2018. It shouldn't be a surprise since I had good experiences with the other Hada Labo lines in the past; the Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion worked as expected and possibly even better.
oo35mm's description:
Five types of hyaluronic acid (3D hyaluronic acid, adsorption type hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid, super hyaluronic acid, nano hyaluronic acid). This lotion has a lasting moisturizing effect. Slightly acidic, fragrance-free, no color additives, oil-free, alcohol (ethanol) free
Directions
After washing face, take an appropriate amount onto palm or cotton and blends in on face. Press into skin gently.
Ingredients
WATER, BG, GLYCERIN, PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, ACETYL HYALURONATE NA (SUPER HYALURONIC ACID), HYALURONIC ACID NA, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID (NANO HYALURONIC ACID), HYALURONIC ACID HIDOROKISHIPUROPIRUTORIMONIUMU (SKIN ADSORPTION TYPE HYALURONIC ACID), HYALURONIC ACID CROSSPOLYMER NA (3D HYALURONIC ACID), APHANOTHECE SACRUM POLYSACCHARIDES (CONFUSION), HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATES, GLYCOSYL TREHALOSE, DIGLYCERIN, SORBITOL, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, TRIETHYL CITRATE, CARBOMER, POLYQUATERNIUM -51 , PEG-32, PEG-75, ACRYLATED RETAINING CLIPS POLYMER AMMONIUM, EDTA-2NA, HYDROXIDE K, DIETHOXYETHYL SUCCINATE, SUCCINIC ACID 2NA, SUCCINIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYL PARABEN
Toner 170 ml / 5.75 oz
Hada Labo (Japanese retail): JP¥ 900
YesStyle: ~USD $30.00
oo35mm: USD $18.99
Global Rakuten: ~USD $8.00
Packaging
New bottles come fully wrapped in a plastic seal. Underneath the wrapping is a lightweight plastic bottle with a flip-top cap. Hada Labo products are delivered in the simplest yet still effective way. I love that the entire tube is clear to let me see just how much product is left. The small spout allows for a degree of control when dispensing the toner/lotion. But the only negative point of its packaging is also the small opening; because it isn't tapered the lotion can easily spill over onto the cap and eventually dry & crust up.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The toner is clear and viscous in consistency, almost like runny uncooked egg whites. There isn't any added fragrance nor is there a scent. It spreads easily and takes on a more watery form. At first, the finish is quite glossy/wet but that does die down to a matte finish as the skin absorbs the product in. My skin isn't sticky after applying it yet if I run my fingers over where I applied the toner/lotion there is a slight resistance.
How I Apply
With cotton // Pour a nickel-sized amount onto cotton pad and swipe it all over my face. After I go over my entire face I would re-swipe drier areas.
With hands in a smoothing motion // I drip about 2 drops each onto my forehead and both cheeks. Then I use only my fingertips to smooth the hyaluronic acid lotion across my face as if I was applying a serum or moisturizer. Sometimes I will give a few pats and help "press" the product into my skin quicker.
With hands in a patting motion // The classic Hada Labo lotion application technique, yet the one I used the least. Drip a few drops onto my palms, rub my hands together, and proceed to repeatedly pat my face until the toner/lotion is transferred from my hands onto my face.
Thoughts & Recommendations
It has been a while since I used the regular Hado Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion so I can't really compare and contrast the two. To my understanding, this "premium" version supposedly has 5 different kinds of hyaluronic acid that have different molecular sizes to reach different layers of skin.
I used it during the height of NY's summer and through a bout of a winter cold. The toner is lightweight enough for hot, humid weather but moisturizing enough to rid a crusty, cracked nose. At times I even relied on it as my sole moisturizer. Of course, I do need something extra when the weather gets very dry and cold.
My favorite aspects of the Premium HA Lotion are that it is non-irritating yet highly effective. My least favorite part of the toner has less to do with the product itself and more with it costing double in America versus in Japan. Even still it isn't crazily expensive because of the amount given compared to the amount needed to see results. I could see myself repurchasing this version in the future, even over the original HA Lotion.
Hold on...I know...it isn't 2015 anymore. We are so far into 2016 now but I just don't feel right sharing the new Project Make a Dent edition without concluding the last. Plus, everyone likes to see empties right? Especially makeup ones!
I mentioned last post that I had a makeup tossing spree. After seeing so many BB Creams go in the trash, I was so excited to actually see at least one be completely used up (nanoce BB moist cream). The Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer wasn't completed finished but close enough. I can't say I really enjoyed using it but I didn't hate it either. It was a nice consistency to mix into BB creams to boost coverage.
In the end the Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion got practically no love. I spent most of the year using the nanoce tube and an IOPE BB cushion that I decided to use up before it dried out. At the end of the year I also decided it was time to toss the Hada Labo BB Cream. I purchased that back in 2011...2011! (The good thing about my past haul posts is being able to track the general length of time I've had products for. Note to self to continue those in the future.) Benefit's Highbeam also didn't get used at all last year. I found myself reaching more towards powder highlighters instead.
Ahh, makeup pans... The things that we always hear others talk about but never get to see ourselves. Let me tell you, if you want to pan out a makeup product, it takes more or less a whole year's worth of dedicated use to reach it. So all those blushes that I showed in my collection post will probably take me a couple decades worth of time to finish.
The first item that I completely panned out, mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff. This one didn't take quite take the whole year, maybe around 9 months? But do consider I had already hit a little pan when this PMAD first began.
Makeup item #2 to pan out. I believe I finished this also around the 9 month mark. This was a surprise but in reality as more pan started to show and the less product there was, it became more delicate and crumbly. On a day where I was a little too hurried and I swirled my makeup brush a little too haphazardly, the rest of the Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink just fell apart onto the floor.
By the end of 2015, I wasn't able to completely empty out this powder makeup product. Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade came a long way though. It went from barely touched in 2014 to about 40-50% used. Not bad though, right?
I put my whole focus on finishing the powder blush in my PMAD stash that the MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle received no attention. Plus, it is much quicker to swirl and apply a barely-there powder blush than to have to carefully put on this really potent cream color base.
Halfway through this project, the Maquillage Face Creator wasn't getting my attention except for the highlight colors. However, when I had to travel for a few months this palette became my makeup friend. When space is limited and time to make myself up in the morning is questionable, a palette with highlight, blush, and contour/shading all-in-one is a lifesaver! The one thing that bothered me was the all the little makeup brushes I had to use in order to pick up the right colors without accidentally mixing. White highlight and brown sparkly contour doesn't exactly blend well together!
I know I've said that if things are out in plain sight to see I would more likely reach for it. Well eye makeup (especially eyeshadows) and lip products are the exception. When I think natural makeup, I think "skin looks nice and clear" and sans eye & lip products (even if the colors are as natural-looking as can be). The next edition of PMAD would definitely require much more proactive usage of eye and lip makeup.
What do you think, mission accomplished? Kind of? Sort of? Halfsies?
The statement of updating monthly or quarterly on my PMAD progress fell by the wayside. Rather than me being too busy to blog or anything like that, it was in reality because I didn't really wear makeup as much as I thought I would. Nonetheless! Progress has still been made (barely, but there).
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L to R: Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion SPF50+ PA+++ in Natural Ochre, Nanoce BB Moist Cream in No.2, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV in Shade 2, Benefit Highbeam
It is hard to tell if any progress has been made with these guys. Why opaque packaging? Why!
Out of these 4 bases, I reached for the nanoce BB Cream most often (most likely because I can actually feel it getting lighter and lighter). Even though I could use the extra coverage on spots and dark circles, I still don't reach for concealers in general. When I do use it, I tend to mix a little of the Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer in with the BB Cream.
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After
Only one item in this group looks like I made any progress with at first glance. But truly any progress made with powders is an accomplishment, don't you think?
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mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff
Ahh~ The satisfaction of seeing so much pan! Such a tease though, it will probably take another long while before this mark Powder Foundation will be all gone. I like the extra coverage this foundation gives but it's a little too powdery for me.
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Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink
Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade
Nowhere near seeing the bottom of the pan but the edges are visible! It helps that these two products require more swirling to get product onto brushes. This works well for me since I prefer to work in light layers and build up.
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MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle
Ermm, so I don't think I will be making a dent in this any time soon. This MAC Cream Colour blush didn't get any love until recently and I was immediately reminded how well it worked. I only need to lightly dab a brush to get a ton of color for both cheeks, otherwise my cheeks will end up looking very clown-like.
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Maquillage Face Creator
Do you see it? The dips? I tend to grab this Maquillage palette when I want to highlight on a day-to-day basis. But it was also a great all-in-one option when I did some traveling back in April. Definitely saved me the headache of overpacking beauty-wise.
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Esprique Precious eye palette
Even though this palette was very readily available for me to use every morning, I still didn't reach for it often. My subconscious must not be accustomed to the idea of wearing eyeshadows daily yet. Mental note: make an effort for the next half year please!
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L to R: Cinique Chubby Stick in Woppin Watermelon, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick in Milky Pink, Living Nature Lipstick in Sandstone
As with the eyeshadow palette, these lippies were underloved too. Of all the items, the trio here looks practically untouched! Must try harder to make dents here.
I might make another update before the end of the year if I make bigger progress.
But anyways!! Any exciting pan sightings for you?
