Review: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go

I brought this product on a whim from Sephora while I was on Oahu 3 days ago, and it has quickly become a life saver for me!

I'd been suffering from a dry skin patch at the corner of my left eye for about the past 3 weeks, until roughly 4 days ago, it became a full-blown "I really can't keep ignoring this" kind of issue :S After removing my eye makeup one night, both of my eyes started burning and watering, and by the next morning, both eyelids and the area surrounding my eyes was red, SUPER swollen, painful, and itchy. I still don't know if it was makeup, allergies, or something else that caused it... Needless to say, I was mortified :[ The swelling went down the next day, but then my eyelids and area surrounding my left eye was still red and painful, and then it dried out and started flaking like crazy!

This picture below is from google (because I didn't think to take before/after pictures of my own eye), but this is basically what my eyes looked like, except MORE flaky and dry:

Enter Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go!

Price: $16 for 1.25 oz from Sephora

What they say: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Tube To Go soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has an uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Sulfates

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes

- Petro-Chemicals

- Phthalates



Invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, Yu-Be is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Yu-Be is safe and effective for the whole family. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and stays locked in for hours.

What's in it:

Glycerin, Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camphor, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, EDTA, Methylparaben.

• Glycerin: This natural humectant attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it softer.
• Camphor: Soothes irritation and stimulates blood circulation improving the overall health of skin. The mild scent disappears in minutes.
• Vitamin E: A natural antioxidant and skin protector.
• Vitamin B2: Helps to smooth rough or damaged skin and also gives Yu-Be its natural yellow color.
  

The good stuff:

• Convenient size
• Non sticky/greasy
• Smooths on and absorbs well
• GREAT for dry skin
• Healing and moisturizing
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Safe for pretty much all-over use
  

The low-down:

• Pricey
• Camphor scent

My take: Overall, I am SUPER glad I bought this cream. I originally just grabbed it since it was near the checkout and I wanted to try it on the boif since he has dry skin (it worked for him too!). But after I decided to try it around my eyes, I was hooked! After 3 days of use, it DRAMATICALLY reduced the flakiness, puffiness, redness, and made the area around my eyes soft and smooth. Almost back to normal!

Just a little bit of flakiness remains:

I was a bit wary to try it around my eyes because I had been using a little bit of emu oil but it had the tendency to actually go into my eyes and although it didn't irritate my eyes, it made my vision blurry :/ (sidenote -- I absolutely ADORE emu oil for piercing aftercare and lubricant for stretched lobes. It is pricey but VERY worth it!!!). Anywho, the Yu-Be cream smoothed onto my skin and although I wouldn't say it dries down, it does absorb into my skin and doesn't migrate into my eyes at all. The cream itself is yellow but when you rub it on, it's kinda white. So I just gently smoothed it on until the white color disappeared. From my experience, this cream definitely performed as it claimed, and I'm VERY happy with the results!

For those who don't like scented products though, this might not be for you. It has a somewhat herbal/medicinal scent because of the camphor, but like they said, it does disappear quickly. But if you don't like that kind of scent, it might bother you.

Would I repurchase/recommend?: I would definitely repurchase this product, and I actually want to try some of the other products from the Yu-Be line as well! I would recommend this to anyone who wants a natural product that helps deeply moisturize dry skin!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
A cute tube. Nice and simple.

Product: 5/5
Does exactly what it claims! Perfect for dry, flaky skin.

Price: 4.5/5
It's actually pretty up-there at $16 for such a small tube, but it DOES work, so it's such a small price to pay for quality.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: Misikko.com HANA Professional 1" Flat Iron

Hi all! I recently got to try out this fabulous flat iron from Misikko.com, much thanks goes out to John for this amazing opportunity! :) From their website:

"Located outside of Philadelphia, a city known for its creative - but practical! - approach to high style, Misikko emerged from a desire we share with many of you: to easily shop and compare the best professional styling tools & beauty products on the market. As beauty aficionados and savvy consumers, our goal is to help you learn about the tools of the trade so you can find the right salon tools & products at the right prices - whenever & wherever the mood strikes."

Misikko specializes in hair and beauty products, including the brands HANA, Chi, Croc, and Corioliss. They offer a selection of the best blow dryers and flat irons!

I was blown away with everything I received! Everything was packaged beautifully, and I really loved all the little touches like the bows & roses!!

Goodies! I was really excited that I got a bottle of HANA's Shine Shield too :D

And here is the flat iron!

It comes in heat-proof storage bag, in a sturdy tin case.

HANA Professional 1" Flat Iron

(click to enlarge)

The size compared to my hand:

It's made in Korea.

On/off switch & heat settings.


Price:
$204.99 BUT the sale price is currently $119.98

What they say:

• Advanced Tourmaline Ceramic Plates for Accelerated Ion Generation and Maximum Frizz-Free, Conditioning Shine
• Ceramic is naturally hygienic, protects color & retards fading
• Floating 1" Plates Auto-Adjust To Glide Over Any Hair Texture
• Curved Plate Edges For Versatile Styling - Curl, Flip or Straighten!
• Adjustable Temperature Dial - 5 Settings from 140-450° F for All Hair Types
• Flash Heats in Seconds with Instant Compensation for Heat Loss
• Ergonomic Handle Design with No-Slip Grip
• Smooth Grooves Keep Hair Strands Separate and Snag-Free
• Tangle-Free Salon Quality Cord Swivels 360°; Convenient Hanging Loop
• Energy Efficient at 38 Watts
• Independent On/Off Switch
• Includes Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch, Heat Proof Silicone Mat, & Special Edition Tin Case
• Two Year Warranty

Please Note:

• LED indicator light remains steady when iron is heating up and will blink when desired temperature is reached. If the light is off but the switch is set to On, the iron is decreasing temperature to a lower setting.

From HANA:

Dedicated to high ceramic content and top of the line components, Hana's pursuit of high tech styling without hype led to the Hana Professional Flat Iron - Advanced Fusion Molding delivers glass-smooth ceramic-tourmaline plates while acccelerated negative ion output repairs hair follicles, sealing in natural oils for a conditioned, sleek, salon shine that lasts all day.
With professional features like damp-to-dry styling, floating plates that self adjust to different textures and adjustable temperature, the Hana Professional hair straightener is engineered to deliver luxury at a down to earth price.

My take: I've been on the market for a new flat iron for quite awhile now, so I was thrilled that I was able to try this one out! I've been using a mini Chi flat iron for the past couple of years, and I love it, but I think it's just getting kinda old. It doesn't have adjustable heat settings and although it doesn't "fry" my hair, it does leave it looking kinda dry. Also while it does make my hair really straight, it doesn't stay perfectly straight for very long in this humidity.

So how does the HANA compare? I LOVE IT!!! Although it's 1" while my mini Chi is bigger, it still makes quick work of straightening my hair. I love that you can use it on damp hair without damaging it, because I hate the hassle of blow drying my hair first.

I went from out-of-the-shower hair:

To smooth, silky goodness:


In about 10 minutes!

It did not make my hair feel "fried" at all. In fact, it left it feeling much healthier, smoother, and shinier after using it! The best part is I absolutely adore how perfectly PIN-STRAIGHT it makes my hair. I have relatively straight hair in the first place, but I've always envied those with that SUPER SLEEK straight hair that STAYS that way. And now I have the perfect flat iron for making my hair look like that! :D

(ignore the white things lol, they're steri-strips covering my fresh microdermals :P)

I love how totally sleek, soft, and wispy it makes my hair look. And even though the weather ranges from rather hot and humid to here, my hair stays pin-straight and smooth after flat ironing it. Amazing!!

I also fell in love with:
HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant

Hana Shine Shield is the latest product in a line committed to safe, effective heat styling. Shine Shield is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner - lightweight and never greasy, it protects and strengthens hair whether you use it with a flat iron, hair dryer or alone. Shine Shield contains the natural magic of Jojoba oil for its superb qualities of deep moisturization, fast absorption into hair follicles and scalp, and unparalleled shimmer & shine. 2 oz.

Hana Shine Shield Features:

• Lightweight leave-in conditioning therapy
• Designed to protect and restore both hair and scalp from environmental and styling stress
• Jojoba absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning
• Jojoba naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple
• Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance
• Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp

I've been using a pea size amount (that really all you need!) on my hair after flat-ironing and it, and it makes my hair look so incredibly shiny, smooth, and healthy looking, WITHOUT feeling like it's weighing down my hair. My hair is gone through so much bleach and dye, so it's not exactly the healthiest -_-" But HANA's Shine Shield definitely restores radiance to my hair. I love this product!

Would I repurchase/recommend?: I definitely would recommend this flat iron and HANA products from Misikko.com. The quality of this flat iron is awesome, and if you want a straightener with adjustable heat settings that heats up and styles quickly, and will give you that sleek and smooth look; this is a great flat iron to try!

The Rundown:
Packaging: 5/5
Comes in a special edition tin case with a free heat proof storage pouch and heat proof silicone mat!

Product: 5/5
I LOVE this flat iron. It heats up super fast, can be used on damp hair, styles within minutes, doesn't make my hair feel "fried," leaves my hair feeling silky and smooth, and gives that perfect pin-straight look.

Price: 4.5/5
At $120, it's definitely a beauty investment, but it's definitely worth it! The quality is superb.

Overall:
[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for review purposes from Misikko.com.
This is my honest review and experience with these products.

NYX Haul Pics & Swatches

I made an order from cherryculture.com about a month ago when they had their 40% off NYX sale. I honestly haven't been buying much makeup for the last year, but this sale was too good to pass up, especially for false lashes! I got $70 worth of NYX for $40 :D This is what I ordered:

Bronzer & Blusher Combo in Phi Phi Island, NYX Girls Nail polish in Mushroom Glitter and Carnival, Jumbo Eye Pencil in French Fries, Glitter Cream Palette in Sweet Chocolate Brown, Round Lip gloss in Sorbet & Whipped, Round Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie, and 8 pairs of false lashes.

Closer pic of the Round Lip gloss in Whipped & Sorbet, Round Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie, Jumbo Eye Pencil in French Fries, and Glitter Cream Palette in Sweet Chocolate Brown.

NYX false lashes are some of my favorite falsies to use. They have a huge variety and the lashes are very durable. I like how they lash band is stiff but flexible... makes it so much easier to apply than with a really flimsy band. The style names of the lashes are:

Left column, from top to bottom: Gorgeous, Nirvana, Disco Queen, and Lash implant.
Right column, from top to bottom: Nostalgia, Exclusive, Nostalgia, Exclusive.

I bought 2 pairs of Nostalgia and Exclusive because I LOVE layering those 2 lashes together. And every time I try to buy them here, they're always out of stock! So I figure I might as well stock up :) The Gorgeous and Nirvana lashes are really full and voluminous, I really like them. If you like full, spikey style lashes, I'd recommend those. I was really excited for the Disco Queen ones because I liked how lush they looked. But unfortunately I don't think they look all that great on me :/ Ah, well maybe I'll find a use for them sometime. The Nirvana lashes I just bought on a whim. Usually I'm partial to really long, full, and thick lashes... obviously unnatural, but I love em! However I really like the Nirvana lashes because they're long enough and wispy but have some volume to them and they look rather natural. Good for everyday wear :)

Here's swatches of the Round lip gloss and Lipstick. From left to right:
Round Lip gloss in Whipped, Round Lip gloss in Sorbet, Round Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie

I love NYX's lippies! I did previous reviews/swatches of their lipstick here, and lip gloss here. I love the round lipgloss because it's cheap but the quality is really nice. It's pretty pigmented and goes on smooth, it's not sticky, has shine, lasts a couple hours, and doesn't dry out my lips. Whipped is one of my favorites for a quick glossy nude lip. I always wanted to try Sorbet as well. It's a cute baby pink with fine shimmer. The lipstick is also very affordable with nice quality and pigmentation. Orange Soda is my favorite nude lip shade, but I really wanted to try Pumpkin Pie. It's a nice light coral/salmon shade.

I love using NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencils as an eyeshadow base or layered over other shades. This is French Fries (which is kind of misleading because this doesn't remind me of french fries at all lol) but it's a rich dark brown/bronze with coppery tones in it. I mainly use brown eyeshadow on the daily, so this'll make a great base!

I had been wanting to try NYX's Glitter Cream Palettes for the longest. Something about the shining allure of glitter was just too tempting! XD Even if I never use it, I'll be happy just looking at it, 'cause the glitter's just so pretty :P I chose Sweet Chocolate Brown because like I mentioned above, I mainly use brown eyeshadow, so this was the most practical choice for me (although I did love the purples and blues they had!) I haven't tried this yet, but it does seem a bit promising. The top layer of the glitter is dry, so you kinda have to rub into it to get the waxy part to pick up. It's smooth and pats on nicely. These swatches are about 2-3 layers built up. It's actually pretty easy to build up the glitter without smearing it all over the place, so I can see it being not much of a problem to add layers of it over eyeshadow. However, it is really really messy to take off!

I love bronzer/blusher combos, so this was something I HAD to get XP It's very reminiscent of my ELF bronzer/blusher duo, which I love (I guess you could also compare those to NARS Laguna/Orgasm, but I don't have it :P). However, it's REALLY sheer, so if you're not one for subtle cheek color that needs to be built up, I wouldn't recommend this. I do like the iridescent sheen that both shades have to them though.

And lastly, here's swatches of the nail polish! From left to right: Mushroom Glitter and Carnival. I love how dense the Mushroom glitter is. I can see it being good by itself, or for doing glitter gradient nails. I was also really excited for Carnival, because it reminds me of Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday. Can't wait to try these on my nails :)

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips Repairing Lip Balm w/ SPF 20 and Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

I got a chance to try a few of Maybelline's newest products through BzzAgent recently, so here's a review on their Baby Lips Repairing Lip Balm with SPF 20 and their Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara!

Price:

Baby Lips Lip Balm - $3.99

Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara: $6.40

What they say:
CLICK TO ENLARGE

What's in it:

CLICK TO ENLARGE
Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara info & ingredients:

CLICK TO ENLARGE
Baby Lips Lip Balm info & ingredients:

Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara:

My take: I honestly do not use mascara at all because my lashes are pretty much non-existant :P So I always use false lashes. These lashes (pictured below) were a favorite pair of mine, but they were nearing the end of their usefulness lol... they were getting really sparse and wispy. So on a whim since I wanted to try this mascara out, I decided to put it over the false lashes. And I must say, it does add some nice length and volume, WITHOUT getting clumpy and messy! I was pleasantly surprised. The unique shaped brush with all the little bristles definitely gets the mascara coated on each individual lash, even the little ones. This is with 3 layers:

So even though I don't use mascara personally, I would recommend people to try this mascara! I'll definitely use it to put some life back into my more worn-out pairs of falsies.

Baby Lips Repairing Lip Balm w/ SPF 20:
From left to right:
Peppermint, Cherry Me, Peach Kiss, Quenched, Pink Punch

From left to right:
Pink Punch, Quenched, Peach Kiss, Cherry Me, Peppermint

From left to right:
Pink Punch, Quenched, Peach Kiss, Cherry Me, Peppermint

From top to bottom:
Pink Punch, Peach Kiss, Cherry Me
(Quenched and Peppermint are both clear)

My take: I LOVE THIS LIP BALM. I'm kind of a balmaholic, so it was a dream to get to try 5 of these! What I really love about this balm is that it goes on smooth and silky, not waxy or thick at all. It stays feeling smooth on lips for 4+ hours and doesn't end up drying out my lips afterwards like some other lip balms I've tried that guarantee moisture, but do the opposite. This lip balm really deeply moisturized my lips and after continuous use, I feel like it has improved my lip health. Normally my lips are dry, peeling, and chapped. But after using this lip balm, my lips are softer, smoother, and hydrated. The five different ones I tried all smelled great. The scent is very light and sweet. Everything with a self-explanatory name (Pink Punch, Cherry Me, Peppermint) all smell like what the name implies, except for Peach Kiss -- that one was kinda chalky to me. Quenched is kind of fruity and fresh smelling to me. The taste of all, however, I didn't really care for. They were all a bit artificially sweet and cloying, but it did fade very fast so it wasn't a huge problem. The three tinted balms pictured above all offer just a hint of color while retaining the moisture and shine. I would definitely buy more of these but it seems like they will last a really long time!

Would I repurchase/recommend?: Yes, I definitely would repurchase and recommend the lip balm especially. It has become my new favorite lip balm because it's so moisturizing and comfy on the lips without drying them out after several hours. I would recommend the mascara for anyone who wants added volume and length to their lashes.

The Rundown:

Packaging: 4.5/5
I love the colorful and fun packaging! The lip balm plastic tube does feel a TAD flimsy, but not a huge deal.

Product: 4.5/5
I LOVE the lip balm. It's super moisturizing and long lasting, and the tinted ones offer a nice touch of color. The only thing I didn't like was the taste, but it fades fast. The mascara gives length and volume without getting clumpy.

Price: 5/5
Wallet friendly!

Overall:
[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]