Hi, guys! It's the busy time of the year again. We're halfway through December and I realized I haven't posted my November empties yet. Here's the all the stuff I finished last month along with what I think of them!

NOVEMBER EMPTIES

November sheet mask trash!
PACKage Everyday Bouncy Mask
I got the mask inside PACKAGE's Float Mask Bundle. Both the sheet and essence were wonderful. It is made of tencel so it's soft, thin and super stretchy. The essence is super moisturizing and does not feel sticky. I love this one!

PACKage Melt Me Softly Mask
This is a nose pack with essence made from fruit acids. This one removes blackheads by melting them off so there's no need to rip it off after it dries. I think this mask will work better if used continuously. I need to observe it more.

PACKage Monthly New Feet Mask
This footmask is a rockstar! It made my feet peel in just two days and the whole peeling process was complete after a total of seven days. That's super fast! Most foot peeling masks I've tried take up to two weeks to complete!

My Beauty Red Ginseng Gold Hydrogel Mask
I got this inside an Althea beauty box. The mask is clear and was divided into two pieces for a better fit. You know how hydrogel masks usually slide off the face after some time? This one pretty much stayed put the whole 30 minutes I had this on my face. Results were pretty standard. My face was smoother and softer after I removed it.

Naruko Raw Job's Tears Mask
This mask claims to be pore-minimizing and skin-brightening. The material is super thin and feels high-quality while the essence was watery and light. After 30 mins, it pretty much delivered it's claims. My pores look smaller and my skin looks brighter. Hydration was just okay but I will be repurchasing this.

Dr. Young Nourishing Rain on Dry Skin Mask (Geumsan Ginseng)
I already reviewed this mask (read my full review here) and I like it! The mask was saturated with white, thick and creamy serum. My face drank all the essence after removing the sheet mask and it left no oily residue behind. Love the results! My skin felt firm and hydrated. I will buy this mask again except I can't find it on Althea (where I bought it) anymore.

Dr. Young Refreshing Spring Showers Mask (Damyang Bamboo)
I also did a full review about this mask (read here) and this one also did not disappoint. My skin felt really plump and supple! Just be aware that this mask takes a seriously long time to get completely absorbed. It took me 15 minutes of massaging this in before I was finally satisfied about its absorption. Read my review to learn more about it!

Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask
This one is also a hit for me. The mask is thick with a lotiony type of essence. It's rich so I think people with drier skin will appreciate this. The mask is on the cheaper side too. It's only 80 pesos! Read my full review here.

Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask 
Using this was a novel experience for me. It's a cotton sheet mask coated with mud and after an hour, it will dry completely for you to peel it off! The results are also great! Made my face bright and matte, soft and really, seriously smooth. Read my full experience here.

That's all my November sheet mask empties. I wasn't able to use a lot but I hope to change that in the next few months.


Anyway, here's my November skincare/bodycare/makeup trash!
November product empties!
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner
The toner is a clear, light and watery liquid. I did a few tests and I have confirmed that it is moisturizing and pH-adjusting (see the results on my review!). I haven't seen dramatic whitening results after one bottle but it did help in fading dark spots a little bit.

Missha Juicy Farm Shower Gel
I got this from Althea. The shower gel is described as gentle and moisturizing. Both claims are true but I found it too mild for my liking. Not a fan so I only use it during mornings when I don't feel grimy.

Nella Black & Black Cleansing Foam
The pore brush is nice, the cleansing foam cleans well, but I won't repurchase because the pH is too high (see results on my review!). 

Silka Papaya Deodorant
I love this deo! I got this for free from Sampleroom.ph and thankfully, it works well with my body chemistry. It was able to keep odor at bay plus it smells so nice (like a perfumey papaya). Will repurchase.

Rraw PH Lip & Cheek Stain (Crasatella, Vitrinella & Scallop)
The lipstains are not empty yet but I have to throw these away. I got this last March and after 8 months in my possession, they smell funky already. Not surprised because the stains are organic and lip stains have a short shelf life anyway. See my review and swatches here!

Aaaand that's it for November!


Now, here's my September & October empties! You may have seen it if you follow me on Instagram (follow me @teptns if you haven't yet) but my first and last Empties post here on my blog is last August. 😂 Re-posting them here for record purposes.

OCTOBER EMPTIES 

October Sheet Mask Empties!
* BIOAQUA Ice Fountain Mask - cooling mask, basic hydration. Not bad but WNR
* PAPA RECIPE Bombee Honey Mask - THE BEST MASK OUT OF ALL OF THESE. RP!
* ROREC Nourish Honey Mask - looks like Papa Recipe but the similarities end there. Cheap quality mask and it did nothing. WNR
* WEDO SHOP Honey Moisturizing Mask - uhhh forgot what this did, it's ok but since it's not memorable enough, WNR lol
* AQUTOP Manner Pack TPO Traveling Mask - ok results, can soothe pimples a little. This comes in a set which I like overall (read here for my full review). May RP.
* DAISO 7-day Collagen Mask Pack - too little essence inside for 7 days worth of sheet masks. WNR
* B&SOAP My Secret Glacial Water Mask - moisturizing, good quality for the price. May RP

October Hair & Body Care Empties!
* Pantene Pro-V Total Damage Care Shampoo, 340ml
-Smells fruity and amazing. I found this moisturizing for my wavy hair but after getting a hair rebond treatment, it weighed my hair down making it look flat & lifeless. WNR for now. Took me only 3 months to empty this gigantic bottle.

* Pantene Pro-V 3-MInute Miracle Total Damage Care Conditioner, 340ml
-Made my hair soft and smooth! I emptied this way before the shampoo so I'm not sure how it will perform on my newly rebonded hair. May RP in a smaller size.

* Stylista Hair Essentials Lavender & Peppermint Hair Spa
-I tried using this as a conditioner after emptying the Pantene tube & I don't really recommend haha. It's rich and heavy - GREAT as a once-a-week nourishing hair treatment but not suitable for daily use. Will RP other variants. Already tried coconut & lavender so far :D

* Tresemme Split Repair Serum, 97ml
-Got this inside a past Saladbox subscription. This is supposed to repair split hairs. I don't have splits so I can't vouch for its effectivity but it still makes for a super lightweight hair serum. WNR

* Nivea Extra White Deo Serum, 40ml
-Aluminum Chlorohydrate is the active ingredient. Its 48-hour antiperspirant claim checks out and made my pits a lil bit lighter. RP!
October Skincare Empties!
* Bliss World Triple Oxygen Energizing Serum, 5ml samples
-thin & lightweight, smells like Vit C chewables. It claims to brighten skin and I think it actually did but why oh why does it have GLITTER? Yes, they're tiny but I lowkey look like Edward Cullen's not so sparkly cousin.

* Bliss World Triple Oxygen Glow-sion Moisture Cream, 5ml samples
-smells just like the serum. Moisturizing and made feel so smooth and supple. No greasy look or tacky feel. May RP!

* Rire Pore Tightening Toner, 300 ml
-Low pH. Not bad but WNR. Read my full review to learn more!

* Daiso Makeup Brush Cleanser, 150ml
-This is so cheap yet does the job well! Great for cleaning brushes but honestly, this is not made for makeup sponges. RP!

* VMV HypoAllergenics Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser
-Got this inside my Saladbox subscription. Love this! It's creamy, it's very gentle and leaves my skin feeling soft. RP!

September Empties

September Empties!
Last September, I mostly worked on finishing my half-empties & trial stuff.

MARY KAY Botanical Effects Cleansing Gel
5.7 pH. It’s a moisturizing facial wash but I find it a bit hard to rinse off. It feels slimy. Emptied this mainly bc my sister somehow loves it. It’s so-so for me, WNR

SKIN GENIE Dark Therapy Toner & Serum
Loved both & found them effective in lightening dark spots but looks like Skin Genie already phased them out.

LANEIGE White Plus Renew Skin Refiner
Got these when I bought the Original Essence last year. It’s a hydrating toner, suitable for 7-skin plus it brightened my whole face. May RP.

NARUKO AM+PM Super Triple Hydrating Night Gelly
A great help whenever I feel like doing the barest minimum. I just wash, tone & slap this on. After being absorbed, my skin feels like I just used a hydrating sheet mask! Will RP & try other Naruko gellies.

POND’S Age Miracle Day & Night Cream
I have to toss out the Night Cream bc it turned a peachy color. It was light pink before. Anyway, the Day Cream is okay. Don’t see any effects against wrinkles tbh but it’s fine as a day moisturizer.

STYLISTA Coconut Hair Mask sample
A freebie from a BeautyMNL purchase. Love it! It smells like actual coconuts and made my hair super soft and manageable. Rinses off easily too. Already got the full-sized version. I got the Lavender & Peppermint flavor <3

LANEIGE White Plus Renew Skin Emulsion
It’s so rich I keep waking up to tiny little pimples. Yikes. Repurposed as a body lotion. WNR

VMV Armada Sport 70 Full Spectrum Sunscreen
RP. All VMV sunscreens are great! Promise!

BLISS Hand Cream
I’m learning guitar & my fingertips badly need love! This is not sufficient. In a couple of hours, my fingers are dry and cracking again. WNR. Bliss Body Butter is more hydrating than this one plus you can use it all over your body too.

PUREDERM Argan Oil Makeup Remover
A makeup staple. RP.

THAI Tofu Soap
It’s moisturizing but I don’t see any other special benefits.

GOLDEN CUP Balm
Another freebie from BeautyMNL. I’m old now. I got excited when I got this haha. This is great for aching muscles. RP.

COSRX samples
I got 6 each of the BHA & AHA Liquid. My skin loves the BHA (I will purchase the full size) but reacted so bad to the AHA! I patch tested it on my neck & I developed 5 cystic pimples within the area. 😑

September Sheet Mask Empties!
I was sheetmasking every other day last September. Too busy now to sheetmask like I used to but I aspire to finish all my stash by next Christmas. Wish me luck. I already reviewed most of them here on my blog so check them out!

Aqutop Talk Tox Clay Pack (Red & Tourmaline)
These clay packs are part of the Aqutop sheet mask bundle. Read my full review here!

Purederm Shiny & Soft Foot Peeling Mask
This is around 90PHP, almost half the price of Purederm's other foot peeling mask (which I reviewed here)! Difference is this is an ankle-type sock with a smaller amount of essence while the other is a full sock. I think it still works just as well. My feet started to peel after 3-4 days and the whole process was completed after two week. This is my go-to foot peeling mask now since it is super affordable.

Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack (Volcanic Clay and Jeju Bija & Tea Tree)
Both the Innisfree recipe packs I got are clay-type and it works the same as their iconic Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask. The packs are more expensive if you calculate it per mL but its big advantage is you can try out a lot of them! They got leave-on and wash-off types too!

My Beauty Rice Sheet Mask
I got this from Althea in one of their beauty boxes. It was ok but I found it hard to find more info about the brand.

Mediheal Airguard Foilab Masks (Gold Whiteful & Silver Waterful)
I tried the Silver Waterful mask first and my experience was terrible. My Gold Whiteful experience was so much better! Read my reviews to see why I say so! 😂

MyScheming Masks (Snail Essence Mask & Skin Pores Clarifying Mask)
I love Myscheming Masks. The sheets are super thin, "invisible" and super clingy. They're cheap and affordable too! Will repurchase this. 

Pororo Tongtong Firming Mask
Tongtong is the pink character and while the character looks great, it doesn't look as good when worn by a person *ehem, me*. 😂 Results are pretty standard. Basic hydration. I can't really comment on the firming claim.

Aqutop Manner Pack (Traveling & Before Makeup)
These masks are also part of the Aqutop sheet mask bundle. Read my full review here!

Innisfree It's Real Green Tea Mask
This is a good mask! The residue was sticky at first but it faded away after a while. It helped in eliminating redness and growing pimples.

This lip mask was able to soften my lips but the effects are very temporary. Read my review to learn more!

This one's quite messy but the results are worth it! Got super soft and smooth skin after!

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Phew! If you're reading this, thank you for sticking around and finishing my giant Empties post! Have you tried any of the products above? Let me know how it worked for you!

See you next time!
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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The item featured is bought with my own money. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review
Hi, guys! Today's review is about the Whitening Toner from Rucy's Vanity.

The brand caught my eye because they offer Korean makeup and skincare products at a very affordable price. I mean, can you believe you can try a basic Korean skincare routine (toner, serum, moisturizer) for as low as 699? Yep, you heard it right! They currently have two skincare lines: Acne & Whitening.

My main concerns right now is fading my dark pimple spots so I got the Whitening set last August. I'm slowly incorporating them in my routine but what do you know! Time flies fast and I'm almost done with the toner already. 😂 Here's what I think about it!

A Little Bit About the Toner

Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review
WHAT: Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner, 100ml
PRICE & WHERE:  229 PHP at Rucy's Vanity Official Shopee
Rucy's Vanity claims they have the perfect whitening formula. Their Whitening line contains Vitamin E & Collagen for brightening and moisturizing for a healthy young-looking and damage-free skin. They claim their products are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin types.
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review
the other sides of the box
INGREDIENTS:
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Arbutin, Alcohol, Methylparaben, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Perfume, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract

How to use:
After cleansing put a small amount on cotton and wipe gently on the face and neck area. Use day and night for faster results.

Noticed there's no Vitamin E & Collagen in the ingredients list. Pretty weird. Maybe it's in the other products. I haven't used them yet. 😔 Anyway, Arbutin and Morus Alba Bark Extract stood out to me because they are known whitening/brightening ingredients. Arbutin is pretty high up in the ingredients list so thumbs up for that! The toner also contains aloe and green tea which are known for their soothing and moisturizing benefits. Check out Cosdna's ingredient analysis to see the functions of the rest of the ingredients.

The toner is not alcohol-free. This may not be good for those with dry skin. If you are sensitive to alcohol or any of the ingredients, please refrain from using or patch test first.



MY EXPERIENCE

Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review
disc-top cap
The toner comes in a handy 100-ml bottle with a disc top cap. I got no problems dispensing the product and it seems pretty sturdy.
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review
texture of the toner
The toner is a clear, light and very watery liquid. It smells lightly floral. I don't mind it but it took me some adjusting. Anyway, the toner is moisturizing and not as drying as I thought it would be. If I use a stripping facial wash, this was able to restore a bit of moisture back to my skin. It felt cooling and I experienced no stinging sensation while using this.
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review Moisture Test
Increased moisture levels after doing the 3-skin method!
I waited a minute before testing each round.
I asked Rucy's Vanity what's the pH of this toner and they answered it is 5.5 pH - the ideal level for our skin.
Tested it myself on multiple occasions but my result differed from what they said. It's even better! It's a low 4.0 pH - great if you are using actives!
Rucy's Vanity Whitening Toner Review pH level
Sorry for the potato pic. 
Moisturizing? Yes. pH-adjusting? Yes. But did it whiten/lighten my dark spots? I don't think I've seen dramatic lightening after two months of using this but it did help in fading them a little bit. I think I'll see more lightening results if I used it with other products from their Whitening line.

VERDICT

Overall, not bad! Aside from fading dark spots, it gave my skin a moisture boost and it's ph-adjusting as well - the main properties I look for in toners.

Have you tried this? How's your experience? Let me know!






Check out Rucy's Vanity:
Website: http://rucysvanityph.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rucysvanityph
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rucysvanityph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rucysvanityph
Shopee: https://shopee.ph/rucysvanityph  ← shop where I bought my toner

Follow me and say hi!
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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The item featured is bought with my own money. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review

Hi, guys! Last night's sheet mask was Vella's Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask!

If Vella wanted to stand out among other sheetmask competitors, they certainly succeeded. I was surprised when I got this because the pack is huuuge! It's twice the size of most sheet masks (like Naruko, MyScheming, Mamonde) and it's the first thing I see whenever I look inside my sheet mask drawer. It's begging to be used so here we go! 😂

ABOUT THE MASK

Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review
WHAT: Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask, 35g
PRICE & WHERE: 80 PHP at Althea
Vella claims their RUB LOM (Revolutionary Uni Beauty Liquefying Optimized Material) skincare line will keep skin springy starting "8AM in the morning, finishing at 8PM". Their mask's main selling point is that the thick velvet microfiber sheet contains one whole bottle of ampoule (35g!) to effectively convey active ingredients to your skin within a short period of time.

The ampoule is formulated with "V8 Solution Care" meaning it has the Vital 8 effects: (1) Moisturizing (2) Skin Balancing (3) Smoothing (4) Nutrition (5) Pore Care (6) Whitening (7) Wrinkle Care and (8) Volume. Hmmmm, we'll see.
click to see Skincarisma's Ingredient Analysis
INGREDIENTS:
Water, Glycerin, MethylPropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pachyrhizus Erosus Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Botrytis (Cauliflower) Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Leaf EXtract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, PEG-14M, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

How to Use:
1) Tone your skin after cleansing.
2) Attach mask pack to your face and remove it after 10-20 minutes.
3) Tap lighlty to absorb essence to your skin.



MY EXPERIENCE

Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review
mask material
They're not kidding when they say the mask is thick. It's the thickest one I've encountered so far. Despite that, the mask still feels soft and smooth. The material is stretchy and clung well to my skin.

The ampoule inside is milky, thick and viscous - like a light lotion in texture. The scent also reminds me of mildly scented lotion. Now, 35g seems like a lot but the amount is just right for the dense sheet mask material. It was not drippy and there's only a couple drops left in the pack.
Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review
not perfect but pretty good fit
Recommended wearing time is 10-20 minutes but I wore the mask for 40 minutes. Since the ampoule is a lotion-type, the sheet mask did not dry easily and was still moist and clinging nicely. After removing the mask, I squeezed the ampoule out and can you see how much I got?! It was seriously enough for whole body application.
Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review
The ampoule. There's still a lot left in the sheet mask.

RESULTS

Vella Cosmetics Rub Lom V8 Hydro Velvet Mask Review
Right & Left Cheek Results
Moisture level rose up to 9.6%! 
Normal moisture range for the face is 35%-60%. Before masking, I already toned and applied a few layers of essence and serums. My cheeks were nicely moisturized at a respectable 49.3% and 52.7%. After patting in the leftover ampoule, the moisture level rose up to 9.6%! That's pretty good since I usually get around 5% increase for most sheet masks.

The finish was slightly tacky but my skin felt plump and it appeared a little bit brighter. In the morning, the tackiness was gone and my skin felt smooth and bouncy.



VERDICT

Except for pore tightening, the mask did well on delivering its V8 promises. I think people with drier skin will appreciate this. It's affordable too. I got it for only 80 PHP at Althea. It's within the usual price range of the masks I use. I may repurchase. :)

If you're new to the Althea, you can use my referral link to sign up and get an additional 200 PHP discount!

Tried this mask? How did it go for you?






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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The item featured is bought with my own money. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
Hi, guys! Here's my review for the Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set!

It is a cleansing foam and facial brush duo which promises to thoroughly and completely clean your skin and the pores from deep within. I got mine inside an Althea Beauty Box (Pore Care 101). The box is out of stock now but you can still purchase the cleansing set for 360 PHP at Althea.

Without further ado, let's proceed!

First Impressions

Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
The cleanser and brush comes in this small black and white box.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
The back of the packaging. Everything is in Korean except for the ingredients list.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
the contents of the box
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
so soft and fine!
The brush is supposedly made up of 350 thousand hairs that is even thinner and finer than pores! It looks like it's true - the bristles feel incredibly soft and non-abrasive. The brush has ridges for bubble creation and for efficient cleansing.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
the foaming cleanser
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
sealed for your protection!
The foaming cleanser comes in a compact 50-ml plastic tube. There's a foil seal inside to keep the product fresh and free from contamination or spillage. My one complaint about the packaging: I wish they didn't go for a screw cap. Whatever type of product it is, screw caps usually cause some product buildup on the cap making it unsanitary. You need to regularly cleanse it to make it clean and fresh. Flip cap master race, anyone? 😂
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
screw cap woes

More About the Cleanser

Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
A coin-sized amount of the cleanser on the back of my hand. The texture is runny.
Ingredients:
Purified Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Charcoal Powder, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Glycine Max (Soybean) Seed Extract, Assai Palm Extract, Allium Sativum (Garlic) Bulb Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycol Stearate SE, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

The bolded ingredients function as a surfactant according to Skincarisma. Surfactants are the ingredients that help dissolve grime and dirt so that you can easily wash them away with water. There's also lots of emulsifying ingredients there to bind oil and water. Check out Skincarisma's ingredient analysis to see the cosmetic functions of the rest of the ingredients.

The facial wash contains charcoal for pore cleansing and also has nine types of black food ingredients for nourishing the skin. It has extracts from blueberry, blackberry, black sesame, black soybeans, black rice, assai, black garlic, mulberry and juniper fruit. Nella claims this is free from parabens, sulfates and alcohol. 

EWG rating from Skincarisma
The facial wash is deemed low risk but needless to say, avoid using this if you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients.



PRODUCT TESTING! 

* Cleansing Test
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
Random makeup on the back of my hand.
Loreal Infallible Foundation as the base.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
I did not use the brush on the first half.
The cleanser created a lot of foam and was able to cleanse my skin well. The Colourpop lipstick was mainly unaffected (I expected this) and there's traces of eyeliner and mascara left but I think the results are pretty good. If you use a lip and eye makeup remover beforehand, getting rid of the rest of your face makeup should be no problem.
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
I used the brush to clean the other half.
Using the brush greatly increased the bubbles created and the foam's cleansing power. After 30 seconds of gentle brushing in a circular motion, it looks like everything's dislodged so I rinsed it off with water. Yes, even the Colourpop! There's nothing left on my hand except for the stain caused by the Candy Water Lip Tint.

Sidenote: the brush is really soft and feels super gentle on the skin but it can still exfoliate. If you are using a chemical exfoliant, I suggest not using the brush. My skin got really dry and sensitive when I used both the brush and a BHA product in the same day. Another thing, make sure to hang the brush in a well-ventilated place so that it will properly dry. The bristles are thin and dense and can be a potential mold and bacteria hangout.

* Moisture Test
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review
moisture test results before and after washing my face
I took the measurements before washing my face in the morning. I used a sheet mask the night before and you can see that my face is fairly hydrated (for reference, moisture range should be within 35-60%). The 'After' measurements were taken 2 minutes after patting my face dry.

The cleanser removed all oils and made my skin feel squeaky. I'm surprised the moisture and oil level increased a little bit actually. After 2 hours (with no toner & moisturizer on), the values slowly decreased and reverted back to their original measurements. 

* pH Test
Nella Black & Black Pore Cleansing Set Review pH Test
Results = 8.5 pH
The result is a high 8.5 pH. That explains the squeaky feeling. If you have acne-prone skin, I do not recommend this. It's better to use a low-pH cleanser (ideally 5.5) to keep your moisture barrier in tiptop shape. I have normal-oily combination skin and while I don't breakout from using this, I would always use a toner to balance my skin after washing.



FINAL VERDICT

The brush is soft and helped a lot in removing dirt and grime. However, I think you should not use it everyday to prevent over-exfoliation. The facial wash is great in cleansing but it is harsh. I will still continue using it but I will not repurchase.

If you wanna try Nella's Pore Cleansing Set, you can get it through Althea for only 360 PHP.  If you're new to the site, you can use my referral link to sign up and get an additional 200 PHP discount!

And that's it. Hope this helped! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Till next time!






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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Items are bought with my own money and my reviews are my own opinions. Also, like everything and anything skincare, what works for me might not work for you and vice versa.
Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
Hi, guys! I got another sheet mask review for you!

I had this Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask for almost half a year now but I was kinda hesitant to try this. Can you see all those peel layers on the packaging? It looks so intimidating and complicated! 😂 I finally decided to just go for it so here's my experience!

About the Mask

Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
WHAT: Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask, 17g
PRICE & WHERE: 269 PHP at Watson's
Mediheal's Meshpeel Masks feature special cotton sheet masks coated with clay. You can wear it like a regular sheet mask but it will dry up like a regular clay mask. Since the mask is clay on fabric, you can just peel it off after it dries!

The variant I have is the GreenTeaTree Meshpeel and it's supposed to soothe and clear the skin.
Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
Close up. As you can see, the illustrated instructions look complicated.
Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
The lower portion of the back packaging. Everything is in Korean, except for the ingredients.
Ingredients:
Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Bentonite, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (1,500 ppm), Allantoin, Panthenol, Zizyphus Jujuba Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Cucumis Sativa (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract (1,000 ppm), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA

How to Use:
1) Cleanse face and apply toner to balance skin PH before placing the mask on your face.
2) Take out mask and remove transparent sheet and place it on your face.
3) Take off the other side of the mask that consists of non transparent sheet.
4) Leave mask on for about 50-60 minutes.
5) Remove mask from bottom to top and gently massage the remainder essence into the skin.
6) Wash the skin after use.



My Experience

Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
First look at what's inside.
The mask is separated into two pieces for easier application. Both sides of the upper and lower pieces are protected by a plastic backing. It smells like how clay typically smells but it's mixed with tea trea. It's earthy with a little bit of mint in it.
Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
The upper part of the mask.
The side with the clear plastic backing should be the one in contact with your skin. I think the white sheet is mostly there to help you with the application. You'll know which side is which because the inner part has more clay in it. Once I'm satisfied with the placement of the mask, I removed the white plastic backing.
Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
great fitting mask 😍
The mask is made of fabric that is soft and nicely conforms to my features. It is flexible and you can mold it for a closer fit. The forehead and nose part is a bit too long for me but you can easily fold the extra material. It is cooling while wet and felt soothing and relaxing to use.
The mask is drying. You can still see the wet areas.
The instructions say I have to leave this on for 50-60 minutes. After a while, the mask started to dry and it tightened little by little. It dried completely after 60 mins for me.

I started taking it off by peeling it from the bottom up. I don't think it was painful but next time, I would definitely position the eyeholes a little bit lower. I have to pull and tug the mask to get it off and you don't want that for the delicate eye area.

Results?

Mediheal Greenteatree Meshpeel Mask Review
Look how stiff it is!
After just one use, my skin felt incredibly soft! I have small bumps here and there but my face felt smooth all over. My skin looks bright but very matte and oil-free. There is a marked improvement in pore size (which is temporary) and there's no redness or any signs of irritation. Oooh, maybe it's the soothing and calming effects in action.

A super thin layer of clay & essence was left behind when I took the mask off. I patted it in to let my skin absorb it all. In hindsight, I should have washed off the remaining clay to prevent clogging but thankfully, I did not get closed comedones or breakouts the next morning. If you have sensitive skin, I would definitely recommend washing it off.



Final Verdict

This was fun to use! It's a new experience for me and I really like the results.

Just need to point out a few cons: (1) it takes longer to dry than a regular clay/sheet mask so I recommend using this only when you have plenty of time (2) this may not be for people with sensitive skin or low pain threshold and (3) at 279 PHP per mask, it's expensive! For the price of 2-3 pieces, you can get a jar of clay powder like the Aztec Healing Clay or those Innisfree jars which is enough for up to a year of usage.

If you don't mind those cons and just wanna try a new way of sheet masking, then I recommend this mask!

Will I repurchase? Yes, especially if I catch it on sale! I know Mediheal Meshpeel also have a PinkCalamine and a BlackCharcoal version. I might try those next time!

Tried this? Let me know about your experience!






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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The item featured is bought with my own money. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.