Cosmetics sample inferno

I think the above is a familiar image to anyone who's a big fan of buying Korean cosmetics online (or shopping at Sephora's webstore). Korean companies seem to be very generous when it comes to doling out samples, and I think I've received some with every purchase I've made. I always hold on to the ones I find interesting and squirrel them away to try them out later... but then I never do. I have a little drawer that, until recently, was filled to the brim with all kind of little sachets.

Alternative uses to unwanted skin care samples: Floor collages? A match up game?

I decided to finally do something about it, starting with actually looking at what I have stored up. I'm pretty sure I could have done several variations of a full 10-step Korean skin care routine with everything I had piled up. 

Unfortunately for me, a lot of the sample packages didn't have the ingredients printed on them. I had to suck it up, sit down and check each product on CosDNA. I eliminated everything that contains alcohol, which turned out to be quite a lot. It's kind of weird to see how many products contain it. I also decided to chuck everything that I thought might not work for dry skin, regardless of their ingredients.

I'm not sure if my curation efforts were entirely successful. But it's a start! Now I'll just have to talk myself into actually using them. Don't be surprised if you start seeing some of these guys making appearances on this blog.

Do you end up stock-piling your cosmetics samples, or do you just use them or throw them out? 

Fruity favorite

Do you have a make up product you reach for almost every day? I've had Skinfood's Fresh Fruit Lip & Cheek cream trio in heavy use ever since I got it at the beginning of this year. I know a lot of people prefer powder products, but I personally love the convenience of a nice cream blush. Plus it's a multi-function item! 

The trio is packaged in a tiny cute tin container with a sliding cover. I was really surprised at how small it really was when I first got it. It fits on the palm of my hand! Since it's a cream product, there's no risk of it exploding in your make up pouch, even if you drop it. It's tiny, sturdy and perfect for traveling. I bring it with me whenever I hit the road.

I'm not sure how well it comes across in this picture, but I've done quite a bit of damage, haha. There's definitely a good dent in each shade. I got the trio in the shade 5 Fruits Mix, which comes with three lovely pinks. The first color is a light peach, the second a cool hot pink and the third a warm apricot-ish color. I really can't decide which one is my favorite! I think I use the peachy pink the most, because of how natural it looks. The blush trio has a sweet, fruity scent to it. I don't think it's overpowering or cloying, and I it disappears pretty soon after application.

Here's a quick finger swatch of each shade. It's a sheer formula with a little bit of creamy sheen to it. It feels very light and moisturizing. I like to apply it with just the tips of my fingers and blend it out with a soft tapping motion. It's really easy to create that color-from-within kind of look with it! They work ok as lip colors too, but I do prefer them as a blush.

Here are the swatches blended out. You can definitely blend them into nothing, but I always think it's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to blush. It's harder to mess up with a sheer, bright-colored formula. All in all, it's a cute little blush trio that won't take up a lot of space in a travel pouch. It's one of my desert island products!

Tending to troubled skin

Hey, that's me!

I've been having some minor, but annoying, skin issues lately. It's just some breakouts, that I've attributed to seasonal change and probably a slight product overload. I've simplified my skincare routine a bit, in the sense that I'm now rotating my products throughout the week rather than just layering all of them on at once, haha. But I've also added a new item - which I know is really counter-intuitive if the goal is to make things less complicated. I think the addition of Innisfree's Bija cica balm has actually helped to improve my current issues, though.

Innisfree's Bija-line is aimed at treating, nourishing and protecting troubled skin. I first learned about this product through a review by Ammarah. I was really intrigued by the ingredient list. It contains Panthenol and Centella Asiatica (Pennywort), which has antioxidant and soothing properties. It's used in a lot of skin care and also in traditional medicine. The "star" ingredient, however, is bija or Torreya Nucifera seed oil. According to my Wikipedia-research, Bija (also known as kaya or Japanese nutmeg yew) is a corniferous tree native to Japan and South Korea's Jeju Island. Apparently they use to wood to make shogi and go boards, and the leaves and the seeds have ritual uses in Japanese esoteric Buddhism. Quite Interesting. Innisfree claims on their site that bija seed oil can help gently smooth skin and reinforce its natural defence system. Sounds good to me!

The balm has a smooth texture and it glides over the skin effortlessly when applied. I don't think it feels too heavy on the skin, but it's definitely very rich. Thankfully, the skinny nozzle on the tube makes it easy to squeeze out the right amount. I don't think it does much for redness, but I can feel the soothing effect almost immediately. I can see myself reaching for this a lot next winter! I do notice that my current foundation doesn't always apply that well over it. The moisturizing and nourishing effects are no joke, though, so I'm willing to put up with it. Plus I do notice that my blemishes disappear a bit faster since I've started using it. It's a bit on the pricier side, but I like it enough to purchase it again. 

So nice, I bought it twice

I ended up being a lot busier than I expected in August, so I didn't have much time to post. I started back at my internship after a break in July and also spent a lot of time making final corrections and adjustments on my thesis. I was finally able to turn it in on Friday! I kind of feel bad for spending so much time on it, since at the end I felt like it wasn't as big of a deal as I made it out to be in my head. But I'm glad I'm all done now. Though I have to admit, planning my next step after graduation is a bit daunting. But enough about me. Summer is already officially over where I am, but I thought I would come back with a final look at a couple of items in Etude House's spring/summer collection. Like I mentioned before, I picked up another shade of the Wonder Fun Park Dear Darling Tint, and I also got one of the Dear My Blooming Lips Talk lipsticks in a chiffon finish.

I got the lip tint in the shade PK002 Chewing Bubble Soda, which is a cool toned hot pink. The formula is the same as the one I got before: A lovely sheer gloss that can be built up to a bit more more opaque look. It also stains your lips, so your lips will stay tinted even after the product itself has worn off. 

Despite being such an electric shade of pink, I actually think it's a very wearable color. My lips are naturally pretty pigmented, so the sheer payoff creates a nice mauve-ish look on me. I like it! Even though it's part of the summer collection, I think the shade will work nicely in the fall too.

Can you tell which photos I took when it was cloudy?

I love the lipstick's packaging. It's super eye-catching and adorable! The scalloped detail and the little metallic stars on the case are cute as heck. Unfortunately I'm not too hot on the lipstick itself. 

I wasn't expecting the formula to be as sheer as it is, since it's a matte/chiffon lipstick. Though maybe I should have, considering the lip tints. If I want to completely cover my lips, I have to apply at least three layers of it. And even then, there will be patches where my natural lip color peeks through. The product feels really dry, so it's kind of impossible to put it on evenly. I have to make sure my lips are perfectly exfoliated and moisturized if I want to wear it, because it catches onto dry bits. I can kind of make it work for a gradient look if I dab it on, but I don't really think the color is right for me. It's a cute peachy pink on it's own, but it's too light for me. It just washes me out. Oh, well. I guess not all products are winners. If I had a proper vanity, I'd definitely put it on display though, haha.

Super Dew-per

You know when you live in a dark hole of an apartment that natural light never touches and can't take any decent photos for days because of it?  I think I might have to get some sort of a daylight studio lamp once the days get shorter. Anyway, I'm here with a little review of A'Pieu's Moisture Nude Foundation (SPF30 PA++).

I've been using Mizon's Hydra Full Solution Water Volume Moisture BB cream for the past year, but it recently started to run out. I really like it and might buy it again some day (unless they discontinue it), but I also wanted to try a new product, something with a little bit more coverage. After looking at several drugstore and high end options, I ended up buying A'Pieu's latest serum foundation. I got mine in the shade No. 13, which is a light beige color with a yellow undertone. 

Serum-based foundations are supposed to be more lightweight than traditional ones, but have as much coverage. Many of them also claim to have skin care benefits, which makes me think of them as a kind of a spiritual successor to BB creams. The ingredient index of A'Pieu's Moisture Nude Foundation lists several plant extracts with skin care properties: Mentha Rotundifolia or Bowles Mint leaf extract (anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial), Portulaca oleracea or Purslane extract (skin-soothing), Adansonia Digitata or Baobab fruit extract (emollient, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant), Nelumbo Nucifera or Sacred Lotus seed extract (antioxidant). What drew me to this foundation, however, was the promise of a very natural, skin-like finish. 

The Moisture Nude Foundation has a very thin consistency. It's definitely much thinner than any of the regular liquid foundations I've tried. But interestingly enough, it's also very pigmented. The first time I used it I ended up applying too much, which did not look good at all. If you put it on with a heavy hand, it will end up caking up and looking all weird and grainy. A little goes a long way: I think I could easily cover up all of my biggest problem areas with the amount of product shown in the picture above. It might even be enough for my entire face. The product has a medium coverage, but it can be built up a bit. It feels smooth, albeit maybe a tad tacky to the touch when I apply it. 

The swatch from the last picture blended out.

The finish is hella dewy. I'm talking dew town. My skin is mostly really dry, but even I have to set it with loose powder and blot during the day to keep it from looking too shiny. If you prefer a matte look, it's not for you, and I'm not too sure it would work for people with oily skin. I don't mind the shininess too much, though, because it's one of the most natural looking base makeup products I've ever tried. I find that I do need to spend some time on blending it out, but once I'm done, the product sits really close to my skin. I can wear it all day without it starting to separate, pill or bunch up on me. It is prone to creasing under my eyes, though. 

For me, the biggest fault with this product is the packaging. The dispensing system is terrible. Like many other serum foundations, Moisture Nude comes with a pipette. But for some reason, A'pieu chose to go with a clicky mechanical thing at the top instead of the usual rubber bulb. It makes it really hard to control the amount of product you pick up. A single click is way too much for me. I need to empty the dropper of most of its contents and then use whatever is left in the stem. Plus I've noticed that some of the foundation is starting to coagulate and cake up around the bottle's mouth. I wish they'd just put a pump on it! 

Another problem is the very limited shade range. Like a lot of other Korean companies, A'Pieu unfortunately only makes the foundation in three shades (which I guess is marginally better than just having only one shade like a lot of base products do). Based on the pictures online, the darkest of them looks like a medium beige. That's just kind of sad. 

I've been using Moisture Nude for a couple of weeks and I've really enjoyed it after figuring out how to get the right amount. The dewiness probably makes it an acquired taste, but I think it's a nice foundation overall. 

Empties from June & July

I'm back with my second ever empties post. I can't believe July is almost over! Time flies like a discount airline. 

The Saem's Healing Tea Garden Green Tea Cleansing Water is my current favorite makeup remover. It doesn't melt off mascara or eyeliner too well, but it does a good job getting rid of the bulk of my daily face paint. This big jug was a holiday release that I got around New Year's and I got almost six months of daily use out of it. I've already picked up a regular sized one for a refill. 

I've been using Nivea's Soothing Toner for dry skin for ages. I don't like to spend a lot of money on cleansing products, because I go through them pretty fast. I like this toner because it doesn't dry out my skin and it's available pretty much everywhere.

Hey, it's Lumene's Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover again! This is a GOAT-status product for me. Lumene re-did their packaging a few months back and I think the new version of the bottle is really pretty. 

I got a bunch of A'Pieu's Nonco Tea Tree Spot Patches some time ago. Sadly, I don't think they do much for me. Unlike COSRX's Acne Pimple Master patches, I didn't notice them helping blemishes heal faster. The adhesive is pretty strong, though, so they did stay on all night. Not repurchasing.

I'm a big believer in Nive Creme aka your grandma's moisturizing cream. It's a great multipurpose item! I have very dry skin, so I use it as a daily face cream. I love this stuff, but I don't think I have anything to say about it that hasn't been said before. It's one of my staples.

My second jar of Petitfée's Ruby & Bulgarian Rose Hydro Gel Eye Patch. I have a dedicated review of them here. 

A'Pieu's Pure Block is another product that I keep repurchasing. I have more written about it here.

The next two items aren't strictly speaking empties, but they've expired and I need to get rid of them, so I chose to include them in this post.

When it comes to mascaras, I tend to set the bar pretty low. All I want is that when I look in the mirror at the end of a day, I won't see two messy panda eyes staring back at me. This is my second tube of  the Double Needs Pang Pang Mascara by TonyMoly. I'm not sure that it noticeably volumizes or lengthens my lashes that much, but it's very cheap and it doesn't smudge. I'll most likely purchase it again.

Skinfood's Salmon Dark Circle Concealer is a big cult favorite. I didn't realize it until I checked my email for the receipt, but I've had this particular jar... way longer than you are supposed to keep any makeup, let alone makeup you apply so close to your eyeballs. And it still has a ton of product left. My concealer pot runneth over! I got a replacement, so it's time for this guy to retire.

I buy Gillette's Satin Care Pure & Delicate in double packs whenever I find them on sale. It does it's job and I've got no complaints.

Nivea's Invisible Black & White used to be my go-to antiperspirant. It doesn't completely eliminate sweat stains caused by aluminum oxidization, but I think it's the least bad of similar products I've tried in the past. I often wear white tops, so I've decided to switch to a completely aluminum free deodorant in an effort to keep my clothes wearable longer.

I'm the type of a person that can't live without hand cream, but I'm not very picky about what I use, as long as it's deeply moisturizing and doesn't irritate my skin. Natusan's 24hour Hand Cream served me well. It's alright.

Kleancolor's Wizard Pads are some kind of sorcery! They wipe of my nail polish super quickly without drying out my nails. I've actually started wearing nail polish more often because of them. I was introduced to them by my bff Whitney, and she also gifted me a whole display box of them last Christmas. You'll probably see them in a lot of these posts.

That's it for the past two months! 

Two Sun Screens

From the left: The Saem's Eco Earth Power Tone Up Sun Cream, A'Pieu's Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream

Since July is fast approaching, I thought it would be fitting to do a little review of the two facial sun screens I've been using recently: The Saem's Eco Earth Power Tone Up Sun Cream (SPF 50+ PA+++) and A'Pieu's Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream (SPF 45 PA+++). This isn't really a comparison of the two, since they have pretty different formulas. The former is an inorganic (meaning that it contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide) and the latter an organic sun screen. I'm just too lazy to make a dedicated post for each, lol.

I have to say right off the bat that I'm not a fan of The Saem one. I tried to make it work, but I just don't think it's right for my skin. I wore it every day for two or three weeks - and probably looked like a hot mess. To be fair, this wasn't a carefully researched purchase. I bought it on a whim from a holiday sale at the beginning of this year. I had been using The Saem's Eco Earth Power Perfection Waterproof sun screen and I thought it was alright, so I wanted to try another product in their line. Plus it was discounted on top of having a very affordable price in the first place. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a bargain!

Here's swatches of both sun creams. The Saem's Tone up Sun Cream on the left and A'Pieu's Pure Block on the right.

I was expecting the Tone Up Sun Cream to have a thick texture and some sort of a white cast. I wasn't expecting it to leave me looking ghostly, though. Which it does. I think this sun screen might look really weird on someone with a darker skin tone. Once applied, it settles into a matte finish with a bit of an adhesive feeling. I wouldn't call it sticky, but it kind of feels like a makeup primer. But it still leaves behind a powdery residue on top of the skin? I don't understand how, but it makes the surface of my skin feel a bit tight as the day goes on, yet somehow it also makes my makeup break down faster. It's almost like whatever base I'm wearing on top of it shrinks and goes all patchy after a while.

Here are the swatches after a little bit of blending. You can definitely get the Tone Up Sun Cream less white if you keep patting it; this is just to give you an idea of the texture.

The sun cream seems very waterproof to me. In fact, I've had difficulties removing it properly, which might have contributed to some small break outs I've had recently. I've been trying to use the cream up by applying it all over before going out running. It's really not ideal for that either, because it leaves white powdery marks on my clothes. I definitely can't see myself buying it again. It's a bummer, because the actual sun blocking properties seem to work well. I just personally can't handle the consistency. That said, I really like a lot of The Saem's other products. Their concealers are the bomb.com and I love their Green Tea cleansing water!

The A'Pieu Pure Block is a lot nicer to my skin. I've used it much longer, so it might just be a case of my skin being more accustomed to it. It doesn't leave a heavy white cast and applies very smoothly. The consistency is more on the lighter, runnier side. The finish is definitely shiny, but it doesn't bother me. I like my base makeup dewy, plus I can always knock it back a bit with some loose powder. The Pure Block is not waterproof and it will probably come off pretty easily if you sweat a lot. I'm not sure how well this would work in a more hot and humid climate. Luckily the weather is pretty cool for most of the year where I live. I've already purchased this product again four or five times already, so I think I'm going to stick to it from now on. I actually don't have much to say about this product, even though I like it! I just think it's a nice staple in my morning routine. It's A-OK.

Which sun screens are you using this summer? 

Etude House Dear Darling Soda Tint

I'd been wanting to get some nice brightly colored but sheer lip products for this spring/summer. I'm not at all a fan of the the dark matte lip trend - at least for myself. My lips are pretty asymmetrical and get chapped easily, plus I'm just too lazy to put much effort into the application. I just want something cute and glossy that I can throw on in the morning! I was thinking about buying one of the Tarte's tinted lip balms because the bullets they come in are so pretty. In the end the price made me back away, though. Instead, I decided to get one of the oil tints in Etude House's limited edition Wonder Fun Park collection.

The collection has ten really fun and bubbly shades to pick from! I got the shade PK001 Sparkling Grapefruit Soda, which is a very bright pinky red with a cool undertone. Or maybe you'd call this color a reddish pink? I don't think it's a true red or a true pink. In any case, it's hella pretty and it has a glossy finish. 

Etude House's oil tint formula is closer to a lip gloss than a traditional lip tint. You can apply it very opaquely or smudge it along your lips for a more sheer tint. I like to apply a sheer layer first, then blot to remove the excess and finally stipple in an opaque layer on the center of my lips for a glossy gradient look. The tapered applicator comes in handy, because it allows you to put it on very precisely. The tint will definitely wear off when you eat or drink. I don't mind reapplying, and the product does stain, so your lips won't be left looking completely naked. The formula feels very comfortable and moisturizing, though my lips do get a little bit dry at the end of the day. But that's something that happens with or without the lip tint if I don't apply lip balm at all.

I've really been loving this lip tint! I've worn it almost every day ever since I received it. It's such a nice low-effort product, which is perfect for me, haha. I even ended up ordering another color, but it hasn't arrived yet. I definitely recommend this collection to anyone looking for an affordable, cute and bright lip color. 

3 x Mizon: Two favorites and a new friend

Mizon's Multi Function Formula Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack and Snail Recovery Gel Cream are cult favorites, and I'm a huge fan of them too. I've been using both for about two years and I always repurchase when I run out. I recently also picked up the Deep Sea Marine Collagen Ampoule, because I'm addicted to moisturizing products. Honestly, I'm like Lady Cassandra from that one Doctor Who episode, haha.

I've added the ampoule to my evening routine, where I use it after I've allowed my enzyme exfoliator to neutralize. According to the box, it consists of 72% of marine collagen solution. The ingredients also include Japanese white birch juice and Trehalose. Birch juice supposedly has 11 nourishing amino acids, sugars and minerals, while Trehalose, a sugar found in plants and fungi, is a low molecular weight humectant that also has some antioxidant properties. Another ingredient that caught my eye in the index is Bamboo sap extract, which is used as an emollient.

The consistency is super light and watery. My skin absorbs it pretty quickly and it feels very refreshing and soothing. I'm not sure if it's enough to satisfy my moisturizing needs on its own, but it seems to be working really well combined with the Snail Recovery Gel Cream. It doesn't have a scent, which is a huge plus for me. I've really enjoyed using it so far, and I'm interested to see if it'll produce any positive effects in the long run. So far it seems like a good product for it's price, which was less than ten Euros! I highly recommend anyone looking for a light moisturizing serum to check this one out.

The Snail Recovery Gel Cream is another product with a nice light weight formula. I'm all about that snail mucin! I feel like my skin has really become more balanced since I started using it. 

The sleeping pack is like the king of all snail goo products for me. The consistency is really thick, sticky and stringy. It's weird and down right fascinating. This is the first sleeping pack I ever tried, and there's no going back for me. I tried using one by a different label once, and I hated it. I had to go straight back to this baby. I love applying it because of the funny texture, and it really seals in all the moisture. My skin feels so supple when I wake up! 

I really love Mizon as a brand. They make quality items for really affordable prices. Have you tried any of their products?

Ruby & Bulgarian Rose Eye Hydro Gel Eye Patch by Koelf

I wanted to try hydrating under eye patches to see if they would help me combat my dry skin. I decided to pick up the Ruby & Bulgarian Rose Hydro Gel Eye Patch made by Koelf, which is the co-brand of Petitfée. Both specialize in skincare and seem to put particular emphasis on their sheet masks and hydro gel eye patch lines. Why exactly do they promote under two labels, I have no idea. So far it seems like Koelf just has more colorful packaging? Petitfée has been around since 2007 and I've seen their products floating around here and there, but I hadn't tried anything by the sister brands before. I liked the eye patches enough to purchase them for a second time after I was done with my first container! I feel like they performed as well and have an affordable price too (I paid about 10 euros after conversion).

I love the package's design and color-scheme! The rose illustration is very pretty.

According to the brand's description, the hydro gel patches are infused with Damask rose water from Bulgaria, which they claim is high in vitamins and intensely moisturizing. Since the patches come in a twist top jar, I feel like whatever vitamins they might have will destabilize once you open it. I think they do boost my eye cream and feel nice and soothing on the skin, though! I apply them after my eye cream, while I'm waiting for my AHA/BHA to neutralize. I like to keep the container in the fridge to make the patches feel extra refreshing. Plus I'm always into adding more steps to my skincare routine, haha. It's just something to do, isn't it?

One container has 60 pieces for 30 uses, and its shelf life is two months after opening. They've also included a little spatula that you can use to fish out the little hydro gel sheets. I dropped the last one I had in the sink, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time until I need to throw this one away too. The patches themselves are shaped like a comma (or the Taeguk, as Koelf puts it). I sometimes have trouble placing them on so they don't poke me in the inner corner of my eye, because the curve is kind of tight. Once I get them on correctly, they do stay put pretty well until I peel them off. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the packaging! The container is made out of plastic, but it doesn't feel too cheap and it has a nice heft to it. The top screws in pretty tightly, too. The biggest downside is the amount of waste you generate while using this product. One container lasts for a month and the patches have to be discarded after use. I always feel a bit bad about using sheet masks, so I probably won't be continuously repurchasing this item, although I did get a second one. I think I'll lay off them after I've used all the patches up, at least until the winter.

All in all, I think the patches are pretty good! I doubt they'll drastically improve the skin under my eyes, but I enjoy the calming effect and the extra layer of occlusion for my eye cream. I feel like they do help when my skin is feeling tired. They are a nice and affordable way to pamper yourself during your usual skin care routine. But because of their disposable nature, I'm only going to purchase them occasionally.

Pang Pang Hair Shadow by Mamonde

For my first post, I'm reviewing an interesting makeup item made by Mamonde, one of the many labels under the South Korean beauty and cosmetics conglomerate AmorePacific. 

Am I the only one with ponytail problems?

I hate wearing my hair in a ponytail. My hairline is kind of asymmetric and I've always felt self-conscious about it. Besides, I think my hair doesn't grow in an even pattern. Most of it seems to concentrate on top of my head, leaving the sides with a thinner coverage. It's not like I have any sort of pattern baldness, though. I'm probably just over-thinking it, but my blindingly pale scalp always seems to find a way to peek through whenever I try to pull my hair back! 

So, when I saw Mamonde's Pang Pang Hair Shadow on sale at an eBay store, I immediately knew I had to try it out. The product is basically a powder that is supposed to help you even out your hair line - or as the packaging puts it, turn an "M-line" into a "U-line". They make it in three colors, one meant for blondes, one for brunettes and one for black hair. The color I picked up is called 02 Light Brown.

The Pang Pang Hair Shadow comes in a little cube-like box made out of a common card stock material. It does have a pretty holographic flower pattern, and a little rose gold detail, though. I kind of want to keep the cardboard thingy just for the pattern. 

The product itself in a hard plastic container with a lid that snaps shut. The top has a looped ribbon handle (which I'm not entirely sure is necessary) and the inside of the lid has a small mirror. You can pop the bottom of the container out to reveal a little powder puff that is meant be used to apply the shadow. It's not the most ergonomic applicator to hold, but it gets the job done and blends out the product well. All in all, it's a light, but sturdy little pot that can probably handle a few knocks.

Even though the shade is called Light Brown, I'd say it's more of a medium brown with a neutral undertone. It almost has a kind of a khaki-type shade to it. I don't think it's the most attractive color on it's own, but it goes well with my hair. My hair is naturally... idk, we call it "the color of a dirt road" in Finnish. Kind of a mousy medium brown.

Swatches: blended out with the applicator and swiped with a finger. I'm a Mac NC15-20, for reference.

The shadow is fairly sheer, but it has some build-ability and it's pretty easy to blend out. I feel like I do need to watch out so that I don't over-apply it, because it grips onto finer hairs. The shadow looks natural when it's blended out, but if I dab it on too opaquely it can look kind of weird. It stays on my hairline pretty well through out the day, though it does fade a bit toward the evening. So far I've worn it a couple of times a week when I put my hair in a ponytail, and it hasn't broken me out.

I know that 3CE makes a similar item that comes with a higher price tag. Realistically speaking, I'm not sure if it's necessary to have a dedicated product for fixing your hairline, at least if you don't have any issues with hair loss. You could probably just use any eye shadow in a similar shade to your own hair color... or at least that was what I was thinking while I placed the item in my shopping cart. I do think it's really useful for hiding the grey cast from going overboard with dry shampoo. And it is nice to not have to lay every strand of hair just so, because you can just color in the gaps. I guess the biggest benefit is that it's comforting to know that there are other people who have similar hang-ups about their foreheads, haha.

The skinny

• 02 Light Brown is a medium brown shade with a neutral undertone 
• Well packaged and easy to apply
• Hasn't broken my out and comes off with shampoo
• Good for people like me who are self-conscious about having an irregular shape to their hairline or want to shave off a few millimeters from their forehead (also me lol)
• A fun product to play with, but probably not essential to own