You would think a seasoned beauty sample sale shopper would have been more sensible. It isn't like I don't have a stash of unopened products at the ready. I do and some are actually from Peach & Lily's 2017 sample sale. If I had to place the blame on anything, my mindset going in this time around was 100% different. My goal was to try new brands and products Peach & Lily offered which I normally wouldn't solely because of the price tag. Great deals were scored, self-control was just a teeny bit lost.
Price categories were generally the same this year: Green $10, Yellow $15, Pink $25, Purple $30, and Red $40. Sheet masks and smaller nicknacks ranged from $2 to $5.
There was a shift in the categories of emphasis and things, in general, seemed pricier this year. Most products were grouped in the $15 and $25 sections, rather than $10 and $15 groups. The $10 tables had a good selection but it was mostly cleansers, "extras" like essences/small sized serums, and single-use rubber modeling masks. The focus was on the newer curated brands to Peach & Lily (Femmue, Eco Your Skin, JUNGSAEMMOOL, Ground Plan), whereas last year included a few sneak-peaks at future curations. I was surprised there weren't any mists or sunscreens in the mix this time around. What is even more surprising was the lack of Peach & Lily's own collection of products.
My loot from the $10 category:
JUNGSAEMMOOL Refining Color-bony Brow - Smoky Bony Orig. $21
Eco Your Skin Layering Essence Ringer Drip - Whitening Orig. $25
Eco Your Skin Layering Essence Ringer Drip - Oily Orig. $25
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Hyaluronic Acid Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Vitamin B5 Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Ceramide Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Oil to Foam Cleanser Orig. $34
The eyebrow pencil was a pleasant surprise and only repurchase item in my entire order. I believe Smoky Bony was the only shade available at the sample sale, which works great for me and my black locks. At $10 a pop I was highly tempted to grab it all but I do want to try other eyebrow pencils in future.
The bags of essences and syringe-shaped serums were top on my mental list to get, if available. The delivery method and packaging are so unique. Their retail price tags are far too steep, however, for the amount of product in each bag/tube. This seemed like the best opportunity to give it a try.
My picks from the $15 category:
Femmue Extraordinary Beauty Cleansing Balm Orig. $42
Femmue Flower Infused Fine Peel Orig. $42
Femmue Flower Infused Fine Mask Orig. $40
Rose by Dr. Dream Rose Line Mild Natured Powder Cleanser Orig. $38
Aromatica Tea Tree Purifying Tonic Scalp Tonic Orig. $19
Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet Orig. $35
Femmue was an unplanned grab. I vaguely remember seeing it on Peach & Lily's Instagram and just thought it was aesthetically pleasing but pricey. Once I actually got to read the product descriptions both the peel and mask seem like products I would enjoy at the moment (exfoliation and hydration).
One can never have too many cleansing balms and cleansers at home. I use tubs and bottles of those regularly and far too quickly.
The scalp tonic was an impulsive buy. I almost didn't realize it was on the table until Alicia Yoon, Peach & Lily's founder, said it was great for oily and itchy scalps. Hook, line, and sinker~ Now that I am home and can compare the price difference this was the worst "deal" of my purchase.
My choices from the $25 category:
JUNGSAEMMOOL Artist Eyeshadow Palette - Neutral and Tender Orig. $48
Eco Your Skin Moisture Wall Surge Complex Orig. $80
Continuing with impulsive decisions. I picked these two up after circling the entire sale area at least a couple times.
An eyeshadow palette from JUNGSAEMMOOL has always been on my wishlist yet I could never justify hoarding any more eyeshadows. My only rationale this time is how could I not at practically 50% off?
The "Moisture Wall Surge" was a last minute addition after I realized I hadn't picked up a moisturizer/cream. There were a ton of options but most seemed geared towards anti-aging and/or very dry skin. I also did not realize what a steal moisturizers were at the sale! Most retail for $50+ and were selling at 50-70% discount.
My gem from the $30 category:
Femmue Lumiere Vital C Orig. $88
My gem from the $40 category:
Eco Your Skin Meso Ampoule Orig. $130
Both of these are super impulsive yet complete steals of the whole experience. I skipped over the luxury area last year because all its, very limited, offerings were geared towards anti-aging (mostly Shangpree). Femmue and Eco Your Skin serums/ampoules caught my attention this year. Vitamin C has been on my list to try, more consistently, and the vitamin C derivative Lumiere uses seems like a good segue. The Meso Ampoule claims to have some kind of micro-needling technology to help stimulate skin rejuvenation which would hopefully help with acne scarring.
While something can look and feel like water when it comes to skincare that liquid can be far from being so simple. ATOCLASSIC's Real Tonic Soothing Moist Mist boasts no water—just plant extracts and moisturizing components. ATOCLASSIC is based on traditional Korean medicine (hanbang) and therefore strongly believes in curing and treating with herbal remedies. This particular concoction is supposed to help hydrate and ease irritated skin which water alone has trouble delivering on an immediate and superficial level.
Peach & Lily's description:
This refreshing mist features Whangryun, or "golden thread", which is an effective anti-inflammatory used in Korean "hanbang" practice as a fever reducer. This mist is great for whenever your skin feels flushed and hot or irritated and dried out.
Ideal for sensitive skin types.
Appropriate for all skin types.
Directions
Use as needed whenever skin is feeling flushed or dry.
Another option is to use this as a spray toner during your morning and evening skincare routines.
Ingredients
COPTIS CHINENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, GARDENIA JASMINOIDES EXTRACT, PHELLODENDRON AMURENSE BARK EXTRACT, WATER, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERETH-26, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PANTHENOL, ALLANTOIN, CANANGA ODORATA OIL
Mist 150 ml / 5.07 fl oz
ATOCLASSIC (Korean retail): ₩19,000
Peach & Lily: USD $19.00
Packaging
Clear mist bottle with a short spray nozzle. New bottles come fully shrink-wrapped in plastic. I love being able to see through the bottle but would prefer a different spray nozzle. Even though it gives a fine mist, the shorter than normal nozzle means it bursts out at a shorter distance resulting in a smaller mist coverage and therefore requiring more sprays to fully cover my face.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The liquid is colorless and orderless. It feels just like water—no tackiness, no residue. Skin doesn't become dewy or matte, just softer and more hydrated.
How I Apply
In-between skincare steps // Especially between cleansing and toning because I tend to wait a while before toner and my skin gets tight and dry during that time.
Through the day over makeup // Rehydrates my skin when I wear drier finish foundations.
On my dry chapped hands // Helps relieve tightness I get during the cold weather without the residue like with lotion.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I still think it is difficult to tell whether specific extracts and mixes of extracts do my skin any good. As long as it doesn't make my condition any worst off, my feelings toward it will remain positive.
The Real Tonic Soothing Moist Mist, as a whole, works great at providing instantaneous hydration. It does help relieve tightness I may feel but to ensure the dryness doesn't persist a moisturizer is necessary to seal in the hydration. I have to be careful to not overspray because anything that runs into my eyes does cause slight irritations. This is a more common issue than one may think solely because of the way the spray nozzle is designed. Otherwise, my skin doesn't react negatively to the mist.
Sensitive skin and ingredient conscious would probably love this spray as it is free of fragrance, parabens, and essential oils. There is a generous amount of product for the price (150ml for under USD $20). Plus, there isn't a huge disparity between its Korean retail and American retail pricing. I would repurchase when considering only the formulation and pricing, however, there are so many other mists available to try and the spraying mechanism isn't my favorite.
To say I am impressed by a drugstore brand's attempt at an effective color correcting product is an understatement. Most that I remembered about and envisioned an affordable corrector to be was proven wrong by the Maybelline Master Camo Color Correcting Pen in 10 Green. Pale and pasty this was not. Color concentrated and spreadable this is. Whilst there are cons to be found, Master Camo pen did exceed my expectations.
Maybelline's description:
Facestudio® Master Camo™ Color Correcting Pens deliver pure-pigment color to help fix a range of skin tone concerns. This color correcting pen features a precise blender tip for effortless application and blending.
Green // Cancels out redness and is created for all skin tones.
Directions
Step 1. Upon first use, twist the bottom of the pen 10-15 times or until the product is visible on the sponge.
Step 2. Next, apply by tapping the cushioned tip applicator onto the target area and gently blend.
Step 3. Finish with concealer or foundation on top.
Ingredients
AQUA / WATER / EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE, ISODODECANE, GLYCERIN, PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, NYLON-12, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE
Maybelline (USA retail): USD $9.99
Packaging
Twist-up pen with a curved furry sponge. This delivery method isn't the most hygienic as the sponge tip isn't detachable and therefore uncleanable.
The tube is completely opaque, which makes it difficult to tell how much of the corrector is inside. New products come in shrink-wrapped plastic that only secures the top cap of the pen—people can still twist and pre-load corrector onto the sponge with it still looking unopened.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
Kind of a pastel green but also muted in a way. It is pastel in the sense that the base is clearly white; however, unlike other green correctors I have used before, this one has far more green pigment. The product itself is a creamy liquid. It sets quickly and leaves a powdery, matte finish (leaning towards a drying finish). There isn't any scent.
How I Apply
I currently like to dab a tiny amount (not even a full twist) over red spots/areas, lightly spread it with the sponge-tip, and pat overtop via cushion puff until the edges are softened. Above photo is pre-blending with a puff.
I used to twist 2-3 times to expose a lot of product before proceeding to swipe my entire cheek area (where the redness is abundant) but found that the Master Camo pen would set too fast and leave my face very patchy and cakey looking.
Thoughts & Recommendations
Compared to the Clio corrector I last reviewed, the Maybelline Master Camo pen is better in terms of coloration. The green is strong enough to actually counter redness without just being brightening/whitening. My face does become a shade brighter but it also evened out. Do keep in mind, the pen doesn't correct everything perfectly.
The corrector adheres to the skin better when matte, which also means it is more difficult to blend out. It sets incredibly fast on drier skin types and loves to cling to dry patches. If not careful, caking of the product could be a common issue.
When applied on a dewier face, the green blends out more easily but the color concentration is diluted. Yet Master Camo pen still does a better job at color correcting than other pale greens in this scenario.
Regardless of a matte or dewy base, the color corrector does separate and cake around my nose and mouth/chin area as the day goes on (especially so when I'm oilier and/or dry and tight).
I think this green pen is pretty good for something that costs ~USD $10. It probably still isn't something I would rush out to buy when it runs out just because my skin is in a constant state of flakiness and the product doesn't fair well against it. When my skin is better exfoliated and just having a better day in general, I enjoy the overall effect the additional step in my routine gives.
