lavenderlilac dream

lavlilacs Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream Review

K-beauty has some really interesting and bizarre ingredients: horse oil, donkey milk, goat milk, snake venom, bee venom, and snail slime. Nothing ever really piqued my interest since I took them all as marketing gimmicks. I would probably never have tried the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream had my friend not passed a tube on to me. The concept and promises of snail mucus are appealing but I am not 100% sold on it from this product alone.

lavlilacs Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream packaging

Mizon's description:

Containing of Snail Secretion Filtrate 74%.

Mucin in snail secretion helps to repair damaged skin and give clear and smooth skin. The snail gel cream absorbs quickly thanks to the fresh and lightweight formula and reinforces skin repairment.

Hyaluronic acid in the formula gives skin rich moisture and keeps skin smooth all day long.

Centella, portulaca, and green tea extract prevent skin troubles and protect skin from the outside harmful factors while soothing skin.

Adenosine, the certified wrinkle care ingredient, improves fine wrinkle problems.

Peptides and 5 kinds of vitamins firm skin.

* The formula is free of artificial coloring, fragrance, and paraben to minimize skin irritation.

Directions
Apply an appropriate amount on face after cleansing, dabbing until absorbed.

Ingredients
SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, BIS-PEG-18 METHYL ETHER, DIMETHYLSILANE, POLYSORBATE2-, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CARBOMER, GLYCOSYL TREHALOSE, HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDOLSYATE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, CAPRYLYL GLYOCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT, CAMELLIAS SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, NELUMBO NUCIFERA FLOWER EXTRACT, BETULA PLATYLPHYLLA JAPONICA JUICE, TROPOLONE, COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1, ALLANTOIN, PANTHENOL, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, PALMITOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-4, ADENOSINE, DISODIUM EDTA

Cream 45 ml

Mizon (Korean retail): ₩19,000
RoseRoseShop: ₩19,000 (sale ₩6,080)
Peach & Lily: USD $18.00
Amazon: USD ~$8.00-10.00
iHerb: USD $8.34

lavlilacs Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream seal

Packaging

The box that the cream comes in doesn't have any information in English to help sell the benefits of snail slime. I tried to Google translate the Korean; it mentions something along the lines of how the slime has the ability to "restore skin strength and vitality" and "provide smoothing effects" for skin texture and wrinkles. There are many beauty blogs, beauty/fashion editorials, and Western-catering e-commerce sites that claim snail mucus to have impressive healing capabilities while having great moisture holding power.

For a product that retails close to $20, the packaging is surprisingly basic. I presume the price is due to the "74% snail secretion" that makes this cream so special. I can only imagine how many snails and how much time is needed to produce the number of gel creams people demand.

The packaging looks and feels like an inexpensive drugstore lotion that come in a standard plastic tube with a twist off lid. If something comes in a tube, I generally prefer it to have a flip-top lid; one less thing to fumble with during my morning and night routines.

At 45ml/1.52oz, it is a great size for traveling, especially via air since the tube comes in under the 100ml/3.4 oz limit. The Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream seems to be on promotions often so I wouldn't count the price tag as a disadvantage. Heck, my friend generously gave me this tube saying she purchased a set of two for ~$12.

lavlilacs Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream swatch

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

Since the product is formulated without synthetic colors and fragrances the gel cream is cloudy-clear straight out of the tube and scent-free. It turns more transparent as it is worked into the skin. There is an initial tacky sticky feeling one would assume snail secretion to have, but that sensation doesn't last. It doesn't even look glossy for long. The gel absorbs pretty fast and I can barely feel any residue once my skin drinks it up.

How I Apply

Moisturizer // Generously applied all over the face and neck. First rubbed the cream between my palms and then patted it in.

Spot treatment // Very generously dabbed onto scabs, dried-out burn wounds, and pimples.

Thoughts & Recommendations

As a moisturizer for combination skin with a lot of flakes, there are better products out there. It isn't deeply moisturizing no matter how much I apply or even if I combine an oil with the gel cream. The more normal and oily parts of my face felt alright, but the drier and flakier areas have a tendency to feel a little tight and even look flakier as the day progresses. It doesn't work well under any mattifying makeup.

As a spot treatment, I was pleasantly surprised. It does seem to heal wounds and blemishes a little faster than if I had not use the cream. The concentrated spots of dry skin around scabs came off more easily and any bumps flattened out a smidge quicker. Nothing is instantaneous, however. The scabbiness doesn't go away after only one spot treating session...more like multiple times a day for several days.

The gel cream is nice to use on wounds if it's sitting on my vanity. This product just isn't so amazing that I would go out of my way to repurchase it for the sole purpose of treating burns and blemishes. I won't miss it when I finish up the tube. However, I am slightly more interested than before in trying higher concentrated snail creams. We'll see...

When everyone says lasering is a "permanent" hair removal option, I was imagining the results to last a good year at least...even without having to continuously re-laser body parts I wished to be hairless in. I could accept the fact that it isn't a one-session-and-all-hair-begone method. I can accept that it takes multiple attempts to fully "kill"/pause the hair follicles. But I was not expecting the results to revert, nearly, 100% after going laser free for 3 months when I completed 13 sessions (6 months) of bi-weekly treatment using the at-home tria Hair Removal Laser 4X system.

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 3 Months Laser Free

Click to see the progression of hair loss: 1 month. 2 months. 3 months. 4 months. 5 months. 6 months.

Granted, tria doesn't say anything about how hair would grow back if the user stops lasering altogether. All they promise is that there should be a significant difference in the amount of hair after 3 months of bi-weekly usage. However, if we apply some logic here...the laser does what it is supposed to and deactivates the hair follicles from growing at the roots, it should theoretically not reactive once the laser isn't applied anymore—right?

Here are the possible reasons I can think of to explain what happened:

hair follicles reactivated.
tons of new follicles formed.
the laser wasn't strong enough for the follicles to stay dormant long term.
hormones are to blame. (I do have a history of PCOS, which tends to elevate male hormones. It's supposed to be under control but I guess it could still be affecting my hair growth.)

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 3 Months Laser Free Closeup

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 26 Weeks, 6 months Closeup

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 2 Weeks Closeup

Upper lips.

Nothing to really update here. There hasn't been any loss or new growth of hair. What was there 6 months ago when I first started lasering and what was there 3 months ago right before I stopped lasering is what is there right now. When I shave it off, it grows back at about the same rate as well.

tria Hair Removal Laser Knuckle Hair 3 Months Laser Free

tria Hair Removal Laser Knuckle Hair 26 Weeks, 6 months

tria Hair Removal Laser Knuckle Hair 2 Weeks

Knuckle hairs.

Just like with the 'stache hairs, the knuckle wispies situation is also the same.

tria Hair Removal Laser Armpits Hair 3 Months Laser Free

Armpits.

The area that showed the most drastic results during the lasering also did the same after halting the treatment. I noticed the hairs growing again even during the first month after I called it quits back in June. Over the last 3 months, the regrowth after each shave regained the dreaded aftershave itchiness sensation. It seemed to get more intense with each corresponding shave as well. Hairs slowly grew in darker and coarser. The only thing that hasn't come back, yet...knock on wood, are the terrible in-grown hairs I was so prone to before.

3-Months Laser-Free Thoughts

I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in the tria Hair Removal Laser 4X. At this point, I cannot say for sure if it is my human error's fault, my uncontrollable internal issues, or tria's issue.

Given my results while consistently lasering...I do stand by my conclusions from the last post: worth it when compared to the effort needed for manual plucking (my preferred method) and when compared to the cost of professional services.

Home lasering isn't worth it for the time required for self-treatment. Professional lasering costs a lot but the wait-time in between seems to be longer. No matter what the reason is for my regrowth if I see the best results only when I continually laser, I would have to do commit myself to 26 sessions/year plus or minus some with shaving in between. I cannot ever pluck, wax, or depilate any hairs since the roots will be then non-existent and the lasers would have nothing to zap. It is a big commitment to make to those two methods of hair removal, but one that I guess I have made already since didn't return the device.

The only options I have now are to lift my temporary lasering ban earlier than expected. I also have more freedom to leave the hairs be, especially in the armpit region, to grow out now that Fall is here and the weather should technically be cooling down. Until I decided to actually consult a dermatologist or other licensed professionals about the underlying issues, I guess this is the end of the written journey for the tria Hair Removal Laser 4X.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale

A list was made. I told myself just one of each product type for the upcoming colder weather: toner, essence, serum, and moisturizer. I still walked away with a good 3 sets of products that can last me well into 2018. Whatever happened to self-control?

When prices are that good, my ability to restrain my hands from moving before my head is severely blocked. I am talking about skincare goodies that are full-sized and mostly $10 each; at that price, it is even better than what is available at American drugstores.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale pricing

The first tables that greeted customers were filled with $15 yellow-labeled items. Mostly serums and essences from various brands.

Right next to those were the $10 green-labeled items, which accounted for a majority of the sale (other than sheet masks). A variety of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to choose from. There was a small selection of makeup. Not-yet-released brands of Peach & Lily was also in this category.

$22 and $30-something red- and orange-labeled items, respectively, were on a table farthest away from the entrance. A small array of their bestselling and most luxe brand's serums and essence.

The $6 blue-labeled items made up a small corner of the location. Mostly knick-knacks and travel-sized products: mists, acne spot treatments, etc.

2 for $3 purple-labeled items and $3 pink-labeled items dominated a ton of space. Sheet masks galore from Peach & Lily's own brand and every brand in-between.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale closeup

Peach & Lily sample sale

This year was the first time I visited the Peach & Lily sample sale. I don't know what happened the previous 2 years but I am glad I didn't pass up the chance to visit this time around. The K-Beauty sample sale took place at 393 Broadway New York, NY 10010 from 8AM-9PM. I had some time to stop by mid-morning and there was already no visible line outside the store. Bag check was quick as well.

Unlike what I read from last year's accounts, there was no 20-min time limit this year—in fact, I was in there for about an hour picking items, reading labels, asking questions, and trying to be sensible with my haul. Products were quickly restocked, testers were available, and everyone there was extremely helpful.

I came out with 3 of the $6 items. 10 of the $10 items. 1 of the $15 items. and 1 of the $22 items. All are completely new brands to me; the reason why Peach & Lily is so appealing. A good bunch of the items is for tackling moisture and hydration. A select few are for treatment: acne-scars, brightening, anti-aging, etc.

Ground Plan 24 Hour Secret Mist Plus 60ml, $6 (to be released)
ATOCLASSIC Real Tonic Soothing Moist Mist 150ml, $6 (orig. $19)
Abib Facial Soap Black Brick 100g, $6 (to be released)
Abib Hydration gel 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Abib Hydration creme 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Dual Moist Toning Lotion 180ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Dual Moist Hyaluron Essence 100ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Aromatica Sea Daffodil Aqua Toner 130ml, $10 (orig. $23)
Eco Your Skin Vitamin C Booster 10ml x3, $10 each (orig. $29)
Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Toner 150ml, $10 (orig. $29)
Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum 50ml, $15 (orig. $39)
the Lotus Essence with 89% Lotus Leaf 125ml, $22 (orig. $64)

All the brands I walked out with were on my to-try list. The only brand I couldn't get my hands on was the Let Me Skin modeling masks in the pill-shaped containers; they were all sold-out by the time I got there. Even though I was interested in some Mizon and Dr. Dream goodies, I decided to stop myself considering how many things I had already stashed into my shopping tote. Plus, Dr. Dream items were mostly in the $15 and $22 groups.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Innisfree

Innisfree NYC

To leave the newly opened Innisfree in Union Square with a boat-load of products when I have a new stash of skincare is too crazy. But since that is their first American physical outpost, I had to stop by at least once to do some eye-shopping. Let me pretend to relive my Seoul travels just for 30-minutes!

I was surprised by how many customizable makeup and skincare products the brand had. Between the vast array of pot masks and toppings, cushion compact designs and formulations, the color makeup pans with eyeshadows, blushes, and even concealers & correctors, my mind would have been severely overwhelmed had I gone in with intentions to buy things.

The haircare section is typically the one section of beauty stores I move right past, every single visit. I am super low-maintenance with my hair and giant bottles of warehouse-sized Dove or Herbal Essence shampoo is good enough for me. However, that doesn't mean my oily roots don't bother me. I just never paid attention to specifically target it like I do with my facial skin issues. Innisfree's My Hair Refreshing Exfoliating Oil piqued my interest as I visited the shop on second-day hair: oily, flat, and in need of attention. I bought it on a whim, but hope it will show some good results.

Amazon

One category of product I didn't notice much of at the Peach & Lily sample sale was cleansing oils and balms. If they had, I would have gladly picked up one or two items since I go through those the quickest. My wallet is still in shambles from the massive haul so I turned to Amazon for the second time ever to buy skincare with some gift card money: the ever-so-popular Heimish All Clean Balm. Many people compare it to the Banila Co. cleansing balm line. For something that has slightly more product and a lower price, I had to give it a try. Missha's Air In Cushion Puffs found their way into my cart as well since I have been getting a tiny bit fed up with the effort it takes to wash those guys.

Two years ago, I rearranged my desk to refresh my room. Two years later, I switched it with a custom-made desk instead. Extra? You can say that. Necessary? I would like to think so.

I was originally hesitant to have a non-painted, original wood colored, tabletop because every other piece of furniture in my room is pitch dark. The birch wood is also out of place given how yellow my flooring is. This is partly why I went through all the troubles to have white hairpin legs instead of the industrial metallic look, at least then something will tie in with the rest of the room.

It might not be the prettiest desk nor the most refined piece of furniture, but it fits the space and crosses out all the issues I previously had with my old IKEA Malm desk. As far as desks go, it was generously spacious...especially when I had a smaller computer setup (i.e. laptop). As I sat in it for a while, I quickly developed a few small issues. But I generally loved the position the table is in so I set to find a happy medium.

Issues with old setup

1. My iMac monitor was too large for the depth of the desk—headaches and eye strain galore.
2. The corner of my room has a weird protrusion to cover pipes—table can't be pushed against both walls at once leaving large gaps and wasted space.
3. The original desk had support along the backside—hits against the radiator and blocks electrical outlets.
4. The table legs were closed off—difficult to see the trash can (which I leave next to the desk & out in the open).



Before	After

Of the problems I had, the only thing I could change was the placement of my computer and the desk itself. I tried to solve the depth issue by:

1. placing the monitor on the window sill and moving the table slightly away from the wall. However, the screen became a little too far and high for my sitting height.
2. placing the monitor on the furthest edge of the desk and moving the table closer to the wall. I would either find my face very close to the screen but my arms were comfortable or I sit so far back that my arms have no table space to rest on.

The perfect solutions seemed to be a combination of both; the iMac should sit as close to the window as possible and the desk should have a deeper tabletop.

Why didn't I just set out to purchase a table the size I needed? Apparently, the standard desk depth is around 25-26 inches. The depth I needed in order to forcibly sit far enough away from the monitor is closer to 32 inches or above. The extra 6 inches makes a huge difference! Solid wood butcher blocks could have been an option if I wasn't trying to keep costs low; plus, I had to cut a corner out which would have been a waste of a beautiful piece of kitchen-grade finished wood.

I drew the first sketch in 2016. It was just an unfeasible wish at the time. Every room in the house that needed a desk already had one. If I made one then, it would have been very unnecessary in many people's eyes. When my brother recently switched over from a laptop to a Windows desktop computer with the works (monitor, tower, keyboard, mouse, speakers, mic, etc.) his small desk (about 2/3 the size of the IKEA Malm) became overcrowded. My perfect excuse finally came!

The thought that DIY projects would be affordable is dangerous. It might be in some scenarios, just not quite so in mine. I wanted the most affordable version of a simple desk as I could get. Simple in the sense that it is minimalistic and easy to put together. Even still, a huge chunk of the cost went into the hairpin legs, then the plywood, then the paints & clear coat for the table legs, and other miscellaneous materials. Since my uncle generously helped me out, I saved money on a good deal on screws, clear coating for the tabletop, and machinery & equipment rentals.

What I Bought; $213.68 (including NY sales tax)

Set of 4, 3-Rod 28" High 1/2" Thick Raw Steel Hairpin Legs $98.30
1 sheet of 3/4" 4'x8' Birch Plywood $54.41
3 cans of Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x Ultra Cover Paint + Primer in Flat White $12.99
2 cans of Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protected Finish in Clear Satin $29.98
Vinegar ~$4
Paintbrush ~$1-4
Paint tray ~$1
Set of 4, The Hairpin Leg Co. Hairpin Leg Protector Feet in White $10.00

What Uncle Spared Me; unquantifiable

3M Paint Sanding Respirator Mask $7.97/pack of 2
3M Blue tape ~$7-9
Lots of 1-1/4" screws ~$7-10/box of 100
Wood glue ~$5-7/bottle
1 Quart of Benjamin Moore Benwood Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane in Low Lustre ~$21.79

Table saw
Jigsaw
Miter saw
Clamps
T-square
Sander + sandpaper
Electric screwdriver
Vacuum with blower (for sand dust)

In order to have the table length I had in mind, bowing (sagging) could have been a potential issue. It could have been exacerbated because the radiator would have sat right in the middle as well. The two possibilities were to have a thick tabletop by gluing two 3/4" boards together OR having a fake 2-layer top by creating framing around the edges and adding support in the middle. I chose the latter to keep costs low—an extra plywood would have been another $54.41!

Home Depot can cut boards. The one I went to did not make cuts less than 12". We needed our 48"x96" board to be cut into one 68.5"x34" (table size), three 68.5"x3.5"(4 edges), one 68.5"x3" (middle support), and scrap 27.5"x48" (leg support & extra). Since the store couldn't do make the smaller cuts, we left with 3 pieces (68.5"x34", 68.5"x14", and 27.5"x48") and my uncle made the rest of the cuts himself.

The worst part about Home Depot cutting a lower-quality plywood board is the chances of the cut edge splintering is very high, especially when going against the grain. Their machine is powerful and mainly used for rough cuts. It isn't ideal for furniture but what can ya do? The best we did was place the severely damaged sides where it couldn't be seen or felt.

My uncle chose to cut 45-degree triangles off the corners of the support beams to improve the aesthetics. He attached it with a light layer of wood glue and many many screws. This isn't a foolproof method, not all edges were completely stuck together...as long as the gaps aren't terribly large.

Sanding wasn't the most time-consuming since he had a mechanical sander. With that being said, there is still a lot of sanding to be done. Straight back from the store, sand. After anything else is cut a little bit, sand. Before anything is attached together, sand. After it is attached together, sand it again. After every layer of primer/paint/clear coat, sand sand sand!

The step that took the most time was unsurprisingly painting. I chose to forgo sanding in-between coats for this project. Even still, I found myself applying clear coats for multiple days because I had to cover both the top and bottom of the tabletop and giving sufficient time for one side to dry before flipping it over. The quart of clear coat gave me 2-3 very light coats on the underside and 6-7 very light coats on the top surface. Each coat needed 30 minutes of drying time before the next one could be applied and ~24 hours before it dried through.

While I waited for the clear coating to cure, I ordered feet protectors off Amazon since I did not plan on using a rug to protect the hardwood floor. The week wait was long yet completely worth it. The feet protectors I found were from a UK brand called The Hairpin Leg Co. and they luckily offered a white version. It isn't a true white, more like a creamy off-white. Once on and the table is right-side-up, the shadows help mask the color difference.

A better view of the table situation. How the top was framed. How the edges can finally reach the walls. How open the hairpin legs make the area feel. How all the outlets are fully accessible and with extras to spare.

My desktop monitor is now finally the perfect distance away. I no longer have to zoom in 2x, 3x times to look at websites. I do not have to arch my neck way back to look at the screen. I also don't have to go blind because the monitor is only a foot away from my eyes. My elbows get plenty of resting space while all my other junk can be sprawled all over. Glorious!

I will admit though, reaching for things across the table is much harder now unless I physically move my butt out of my seat. I guess this is a good thing for my body in the long run?

lavlilacs Custom Hairpin Desk cable organization

Another nice perk to come out of the custom desk. No matter how accurately things are measured, it is probably impossible for tables to stick to walls without any gaps whatsoever. The benefit from the tiny gaps I have are the natural cable organizers. I did not have to cut a hole for the computer cable to pass through nor did I have to buy cord management systems to stick onto the desk. Huzzah!

And so that is the story of how my custom hairpin desk came to be. Hopefully, it will last a while without too much paint wearing down or splinters catching into my skin. That is the only fear I have with wooden furniture.

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil Review

Brands seem like they are dropping oils left, right, and center in the skincare world. Western brands are especially invested in cleansing oils, finally. But I think the big stars to come out of it are the facial oils. Just about everyone in the beauty world seems to be raving over Sunday Riley's oil concoctions and Drunk Elephants' marula oil. At $40s-70s price point, however, those are products I haven't gotten on board with. The Ordinary's 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is a one-ingredient star with a low price and many potential benefits, what's to lose from trying it?

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil packaging

Deciem's description:

Water-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, nut-free, vegan, & cruelty-free

This formulation uses 100% pure Rosehip Seed Oil that is both cold-pressed and organic. Rosehip Seed Oil is rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid and pro-vitamin A, all of which degrade when the oil extraction process involves heat. While cold-pressed extraction is complex, it preserves all of the quality of this important oil which has been shown to reduce signs of photo-ageing and many other skin conditions.

Note: Supplied in UV-protective packaging.

Directions
Apply once a day to the face, ideally at bedtime after application of water-based treatments.

Ingredients
ROSA CANINA SEED OIL

Oil 30 ml

Deciem: USD $9.80

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil flat lay

This is only my second time using a facial oil, the first being Josie Maran's Argan Oil many years ago. It isn't that I actively try to avoid using oils; I love using cleansing oils for double cleansing. The non-wash off oils never caught my attention again after the big argan oil hype.

After researching about The Ordinary, I found a ton of people also sang praises for the rose hip seed oil. They said it is fast absorbing and helps with their acne scarring. Plus, oils are generally great for combating flakiness which I do have a ton of despite my cleansing and moisturizing routine. So I inevitably became intrigued.

Benefits of topical rose hip seed oil

"Dry" oil
→More linolenic acid than oleic acid
→Lighter in its consistency
→Sinks into skin better without oily residue

Anti-inflammatory
→Good for sensitive skin, wounds, & burns

Has tons of vitamins & antioxidants
→Helps decrease environmental damage
→Protects against sun damage

Have essential fatty acids
→Hydrates skin
→Stimulates cell regeneration (repairs skin)
→Reduces scars and fine lines

→Improves skin tone and texture

→Restores elasticity

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil pipette

Packaging

Some of The Ordinary's products come in amber-tinted UV-protective bottles. I think the darker bottles help to slow the degradation of certain ingredients when it is exposed to sunlight and heat. Since this is 100% oil (free of preservatives), it probably needs to be in this type of packaging to better preserve the integrity of the product for a longer period of time. Rose hip oil is also supposedly more perishable of the facial oils.

Like other The Ordinary bottles, the pipette does not reach the bottom. Completely finishing the oil will be impossible. At least I won't be losing much in terms of cost?

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil swatch

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

Rose hip seed oil is bright yellow in color. The tinge doesn't show after my skin absorbs it all in. There is a scent but nothing overly floral. It also isn't very pleasant yet doesn't linger long.

I cannot even technically say the "formulation is runny" since this is 100% pure oil. But yes, rose hip seed oil is very runny. It will leak right out of the pipette without having to actually press to dispense the product. Because I don't always use a full dropper of oil every time I reach for this bottle, I have wasted many drops as I brought the pipette to my hand and as I tried to put the pipette back into the bottle. I have learned to have my hand, dropper, and bottle all very close together and speed is definitely key. Is there a better way to store and dispense oil products?

Since the oil is so thin in consistency, my skin soaks this up fairly quickly. Patting and pressing the oil in helps it absorb way better than to just lightly rub it in. After the rose hip seed oil does sink in there isn't a heavy or slick feel at all. It is slightly tacky but it doesn't translate to oiliness when I touch it or press a tissue against my face.

How I Apply

Mix // My preferred method. I'll add a few drops to moisturizer, sleeping mask, foundations, etc. Anything to shave off some waiting time between products is always a plus.

Direct application // I rub a few drops of oil between my hands and proceed to pat and press it onto my face. If I want to only target specific areas (patches of flakes or burns), then I will dab a drop of oil, spread it a little, then let it sit and adsorb on its own. Sometimes I use it after a moisturizer, sometimes I use it in place of one—it depends on how many product I have already applied.

Mask - Treatment // On rare occasions, I have used this as an overnight treatment for my scalp. I pump a whole pipette of the oil into my hands and run it right straight through the roots of my hair. With that amount of oil and the dirtiness of my scalp, the rose hip seed oil never sinks in. Washing after is a must.

lavlilacs Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil specks

Thoughts & Recommendations

I thought a lot about whether to wait until I finished the entire bottle before sharing my thoughts. I have been using the rose hip seed oil for 5+ months now, so I feel like I have an okay understanding of how I like the product (even if I may not have seen the longer-term effects...yet. Fingers crossed).

The oil seems to help soften flakes and rough patches. Using it as a hair mask worked well for my dry flaking scalp too. It is important to note that this isn't a magical product in the sense the flakes will automatically be gone after one use. Flakes need to be exfoliated off and regularly!

As far as hydration and elasticity-wise, my skin has felt softer and more plump while using, but it is difficult to say if it is solely due to the oil or other new products I have introduced into my routine.

It is probably too early to see results for any reduction of scars, fine lines, and sun damage production. Those type of skin concerns usually is the most stubborn to tackle. As long as the rose hip seed oil doesn't break me out, which it didn't, I won't count slow-producing effects as a negative.

With that said...I have used the oil on burns (from hair tools and kitchen incidents) and it seems to help alleviate some of the pain and blisters quicker than when I don't.

One of the only things that bother me about this bottle of rose hip seed oil is the fact that weird plastic-like pills start to form around the opening and pipette pump after a while. I assume it is just the dried oil but why is it turning into something plastic-y? It is hard to clean off all the residue and the pills could fall into the bottle, increasing contamination if any.

Oils are good for all skin types. I can see people with oily skin liking rose hip seed oil more since it is so lightweight and sinks into the skin well. When I finish this, I wouldn't repurchase this exact item from The Ordinary. It isn't because I don't like using rose hip seed oil; I want to try some of the other oils they carry (marula and/or squalene to be exact). All the oils are supposed to help the skin in different ways but for me, they're all rich hydrators. Unless one completely blows my mind in terms of results I will try a few different varieties in the near future rather than stick to one. I like having a bottle of facial oil around nowadays just in case my skin needs the extra oomph or say if a new cream isn't as moisturizing as originally thought.

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Deciem The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

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