We, consumers, like to believe that we pay more for a better quality product: well thought out, superior formulation, and sturdier packaging to name a few. Yet as the competition grows even the more affordable and smaller brands have gems hidden amongst the rough. We hope for something of similar quality minus the costs of the luxury brand name and frills.
That is precisely what I wanted the innisfree Brow Master Pencil to be. At half the cost of the previous eyebrow pencils I tried and loved, how wonderful would it be if it works and lasts just the same?
innisfree's description:
You multi-task, so should your brow make-up. Define, shape and volumize eyebrows with this unique 3-in-1 brow tool.
On one end, an angled tip pencil fills brows with a thin or thick stroke (up to you!)
In the center, a sponge-tip applicator loaded with brow powder creates fullness.
On the other end, a spooly brush styles and defines your brow look.
Directions
1. Define: Fill in brow using pencil, using light, feathery strokes.
2. Volumize: Using brow powder applicator, lightly press sponge tip over brow to set pencil and add dimension.
3. Set: With brush, sweep color out and downward to shape the arch and elongate the tail.
Ingredients
Pencil
HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, HYDROGENATED COCO-GLYCERIDES, POLYETHYLENE, ZINC STEARATE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX, IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), MICA (CI 77019), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), METHICONE
Powder
MICA (CI 77019), CERESIN, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, TALC, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, C12-15 ALKYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, SILICA, IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), POLYISOBUTENE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), METHICONE, DIMETHICONE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77491)
Pencil cartridge 0.12 g
Powder pan 0.4 g
innisfree (Korean retail): ₩10,000
innisfree (USA retail): USD $11.00
Packaging
A double-ended eyebrow product with a retractable pencil on one end, a spoolie on the other, and a shadow with a sponge-tip applicator in the middle. This pencil does not come with a sharpener and probably wouldn't work well with the pencil formulation anyway. The pencil isn't shaped in any special way, just ovular and blunt cut. The sponge-tip is squishy and bulbous, unlike the JUNGSAEMMOOL one that is more firm and shapely. If I were to choose, my preference lies with the latter sponge-tip as it seems to apply the powder in a more effortless, even, and a lighter layer of color.
I understand that cream and brown are the brand colors of innisfree. However, I wish they showed the pencil colors on the tube instead as the names are printed fairly small and written in Korean only (the English names are just on a stick-on label that is attached to the security plastic wrapping). It would make the shopping experience easier especially for non-Koreans.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
"Gray", the shade, is an ashy-gray with hints of brown. The powder swatches very similar to the JUNGSSAEMMOOL "Smoky bony" shade.
Both the powder and the pencil have matte finishes and unscented. I found no faults with the powder itself, just didn't particularly like the sponge-tip delivery. The pencil, on the other hand, was one of the driest pencil products I have ever experienced. The new pencil tip was hard and difficult to draw with. One swipe doesn't give a strong color; it does build up well after a few more swipes though.
How I Apply
Unscrew the middle part of the brow pencil to reveal the powder portion. I "color" in my brows with the sponge-tip applicator to fill in the empty spaces. Afterward, I take the pencil portion and outline the desired shape and finish it off by brushing out the hairs with the spoolie to feather the edges out.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I was not kidding when I said the JUNGSAEMMOOL eyebrow pencil set new standards. innisfree was one of the few brands, Korean and Western, to have one of a similar design (with pencil, powder, and spoolie all-in-one). Trying it out was a no-brainer since I would practically be guaranteed a shade match plus it's cheap.
Color-wise, "Gray" was a great match for my black hair. Formulation-wise, the pencil could be greatly improved upon. It snapped into pieces way too easily and the pigmentation with one swipe isn't very high. I lost a quarter of the pencil the first day I started using it and about half of the remainder of the product a month or so later. It also seemed like I was using up the pencil far quicker since I had to draw more strokes to build up the color.
*Disclaimer: the printed expiration date was the same month and year I bought the pencil in (June 2018). I am positive it says expiration and not manufacture date. I don't know how much of a factor that plays into how dried out the eyebrow pencil was. If so then the NYC store is kind of at fault for selling a product that was days away from expiring. The remainder of the fault was my own for not looking closely before purchase. Regardless, if the formulation becomes so brittle overtime it means this pencil cannot be stockpiled and hoarded for long.
The innisfree Brow Master Pencil is a nice low-end option, especially for those new to eyebrow products and are intimidated by ones that are too concentrated in color. I can see those who prefer stronger brows may find it too faint and natural. The blunt cut made it difficult to draw thin, hair-like strokes. It was fine outlining a general brow shape and tail. This isn't on my repurchase list anytime soon. If I do reconsider I will have to remember to double check the expiration before giving it a second chance.
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.
