Combined net worth: | $3.7M | |
---|---|---|
Combined brokerage balance: | $2.14M | $317,587 (mine) + $1.82M (Erik) |
Combined retirement balance: | $195k | $116,300 (mine) + $78,700Erik). We're behind on funding our 401ks. I finally convinced Erik to take advantage of his employer match program two years ago. He was concerned about the ease of withdrawing funds since we plan on living outside of the US when we retire. |
Joint checking account balance: | $111k | We have a lot of cash on hand right now because we need to prepay income taxes, and will be furnishing our place. |
Equity: | $1.42M | We put 40% down on a 2 bedroom/2.5 bath condo (<1,200 ft2) in a new construction last summer. Our down payment came from the sale of some of Erik's RSUs. |
Mortgage: | $1.61M | For our financial situation, an interest-only mortgage made sense. We have a 2.35% APR 7/1 ARM since we don't intend to stay in NYC longterm. Our plan is to pay off the remaining mortgage in full after five years and either sell the condo or hold onto it as rental property. |
Combined credit card debt: | $0 | We pay off our credit cards in full every month. We put between $6k - 20k on our cards every month in a typical year. He's also the authorized user on my credit cards; I added him to my accounts about six years ago to help him build his credit file since we knew we'd eventually buy a place together. |
Combined student loan debt: | $0 | I finished paying my student loans two years ago. Erik received free tuition as an EU resident but had some cost-of-living loans which he's paid off. |
Mine | Erik | |
---|---|---|
Base | $131,250 | $268,750 |
Bonus | ~$13,125 | ~$80,625 |
Vested RSUs | $121,500 | $835,500 |
Total Compensation | $265,875 | $1.18M |
Deductions | Mine | Erik |
---|---|---|
Retirement | 15% of paycheck to Roth 401k | 7% of paycheck to 401k |
M/D/V | under Erik's employer; my employer also provides free M/D/V but we would have different providers | covered by his employer + $~250 for mine |
Life insurance and AD&D | covered by my employer | covered by his employer |
Short & long term disability | covered by my employer | covered by his employer |
Net monthly take home | $7,000 | $10,00 |
Day 1: Monday | Total: $111.848:00am - First day back from holiday break for both Erik and me. He's still snoozing so I turn on the bedroom TV to see if our dog is still sleeping too. We adopted a senior dog, Fields, over the summer and quickly became one of those dog owners that installed cameras everywhere so we can watch him anytime, anywhere. Fields is still asleep so I check my work accounts and respond to anything urgent.
Day 2: Tuesday | Total: $199.418:30am - We're both really tired. I want to lay in bed a little longer but Erik has a call at 10am and we need coffee. Since his pants are on first, I convince him to take the dog outside so I can get ready. He agrees. I put on sweats and prepare Fields' breakfast.
Day 3: Wednesday | Total: $290.448:00am - The alarm goes off and I yell at Siri to stop. I roll back over and snuggle Erik. The run isn't happening.
Day 4: Thursday | Total: $112.138:00am - Same routine as the days before: get dressed, take Fields out, give him breakfast, and head out for our family walk.
Day 5: Friday | Total: $245.568:00am - Same morning routine as yesterday.
Day 6: Saturday | Total: $375.249:00am - It's a late start to the morning. After feeding Fields, we walk to pick up breakfast. We get our usual coffee order, a bagel with smoked salmon and a chocolate croissant. $34.12
Day 7: Sunday | Total: $134.579:00am - Another late start to the morning. We do our morning routine with Fields and walk to get breakfast. This time, we head back to the cafe that found Erik's credit card. We get our coffees along with the herb omelette baguette with bacon. $27.56
Food & Drink | $1,000.57 |
---|---|
Fun & Entertainment | $0.00 |
Home & Health | $125.85 |
Clothes & Beauty | $223.42 |
Transport | $0.00 |
Other | $119.35 |
GRAND TOTAL | $1,469.19 |
Part 1: Japanese sunscreens: Allie Extra UV Gel & Highlight Gel, Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence & Athlizm Skin Protect Essence, Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV, Etvos Mineral UV Powder, Mieufa Fragrance UV Spray, Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence, Sports Beauty Sun Protect Gel and more (c. June 2019 + edits) submitted by marcelavy to AsianBeauty [link] [comments] I’ve tried some more sunscreens since I made the post above. Aside from the Allie and the Anessa, I imagine most of the sunscreens in pt. 2 are probably hard to get your hands on outside of Japan, so this is mostly for anyone living or (eventually) traveling in Japan. The Bioré, Canmake, and Skin Aqua sunscreens seem to be popular on this sub, so if you want to hear my thoughts on those, see pt. 1. I know the premise section below is pretty long, but I think it’s important for you to know these things for context. What works for me may not work for someone with oily skin, for instance, and most people probably don’t need quite as much sun protection as I do. YMMV no matter what, of course, but keeping this stuff in mind should help. If you’re not familiar with what gels/milks/etc. are in the context of Japanese sunscreen, you can refer to the sunscreen section of the glossary I posted here. Also, for further context, I wrote the first review today and all the others back in May. THE PREMISE
THE SUNSCREENS
THE REVIEWS
My trusty Allie Extra UV Gel, the first sunscreen reviewed in pt. 1, was reformulated in February to strengthen the friction-proof property. I think I’ve used four different formulations of this product, starting with the first version introduced in 2011. A lot of ingredients have changed, as I write out in detail here, but I wasn’t too worried, given their track record. As I’ve come to understand, some people loved the previous version and others hated it; I’m sure it’s going to be the same for this version too. A side-by-side comparison of the packaging suggests that the main difference is the change from “Friction-Proof” to “Super Friction-Proof.” I put off posting this for months because I haven’t worn this sunscreen on my body much, nor have I sweated as much as I usually do in the summer, but my new black backpack (purchased in late spring) would usually have had traces of sunscreen all over it by now and I don’t see sunscreen on my T-shirt collars, so the new formulation really might be more friction-proof than its predecessor. Otherwise, the two formulations don’t feel all that different to me. The 2020 formula might be a tad bit greasier, but I think the difference is negligible. Not having white stuff all over my belongings has been great, so if that’s the tradeoff, I’m fine with it. As with the previous formulation, it goes on pretty white but it settles in. Recently I started using a new moisturizer, and I noticed that the sunscreen applies very differently depending on what you use before it (which I guess should have been obvious). With my usual moisturizer, it was important to wait until the moisturizer has been absorbed, or else you end up looking like you smeared Nivea cream all over a wet face. If I do wait, I don’t notice any pilling later on and would say they work well together. With the slightly greasier new moisturizer, I can apply the sunscreen right away, but then there’s pilling later on and I feel the need to take everything off before I reapply. This does seem to be mitigated if I wait after the new moisturizer, too, but it still feels greasier overall than it does with my usual moisturizer. So this could be something to keep in mind if you’re having pilling issues with this sunscreen (and maybe other sunscreens too). I’ll post mini reviews of the moisturizers in the comments. Ingredients: Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Octinoxate, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, PEG-400, Polysorbate 80, Polysilicone-9, Xanthan Gum, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, C30-45 Olefin, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen
I know the claims sound gimmicky, and this is hands down the most expensive sunscreen I’ve ever used (though there are much more expensive ones out there, I know). My photosensitivity symptoms start to show up if I’m sitting in front of a bright monitor for long enough, even with a fresh layer of normal sunscreen, so I’m pretty sure I’m also allergic to blue light (not as much as UV rays, but still). After deciding that I don’t like the Etvos powder after all (6th sunscreen discussed in pt. 1), I started looking at other sunscreens that claim to provide blue light protection. There aren’t a ton of options out there, so I decided to give this a try in spite of it being more expensive than I’d like. I was skeptical, but I’ve found that my symptoms don’t show up when I wear this, even while sitting in front of my three-monitor setup—though I haven’t pulled any all-nighters, which is when real damage is done. (So not only is this completely anecdotal and in no way scientific, I haven’t even tried it under the conditions that would definitely give me an allergic reaction. Please keep that in mind if you’re reading this as someone specifically looking for blue light protection.) Beyond the blue light thing: It’s a milk sunscreen, but it’s a milk that even the anti-milk (me) feel comfortable wearing. It’s like the epitome of cosmetic elegance, though the tradeoff (in addition to the price) is that it’s neither waterproof nor friction-proof. It really feels like it’s just a really light moisturizer, with no white cast whatsoever. I think. The one complaint I have aside from the price is that the packaging makes it difficult to use it up completely. It’s in a very thick opaque plastic bottle with a pump, which I’m sure provides solid protection for all those antioxidants, but I really wish they would opt for an airless pump, even if it means I have to pay a little more. Speaking of packaging, they changed the label design earlier this year (old packaging), but I don’t think there was a reformulation. If you’re in Japan, they usually have Tunemakers products in so-called variety shops (Loft, Plaza, etc.) where they also usually have testers, though testers generally aren’t really a thing right now (covid). Ingredients: Water, Octinoxate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Uvinul A Plus, Caprylyl Methicone, Isostearic Acid, Fullerenes, Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate Magnesium, Rice Bran Sphingoglycolipid, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, Lauroyl Lysine, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Xanthan Gum, Cholesterol, Dihydrocholeth-20, PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phytic Acid, Polysilicone-14, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Silver Oxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, PVP, BHT, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
I bought a predecessor of this sunscreen ages ago and absolutely hated it, which is the biggest reason why I’ve avoided milk sunscreens all these years. One day I found myself in a situation where I had to buy sunscreen late at night (for the next day, I mean), and the mini version (20 ml) of this was the only selection I could trust that was available at the nearest convenience store. And you know, maybe it’s all the reformulations that have taken place since, but it’s a lot better than I remember. I still prefer my usual Allie Extra UV Gel and probably won’t buy this again unless I’m in a similar situation, but it’s good to know it’s an option. The tiny bottle is highly portable and probably available anywhere in Japan. I know the protection is top-of-the-line for Japanese products, along with Allie, and it actually felt nicer than expected on my skin—slightly drying, not enough to be a deal-breaker—but the fragrance is too strong for me. They call it a “citrus soap” fragrance, but it registers more like a flowery perfume for me. (I’m sure it wouldn’t be too strong for most people. I prefer unfragranced skincare products, very lightly fragranced at most.) I hear milk sunscreens are more waterproof than gels, so there’s that, and they do make waterproofing a big selling point. This sunscreen was reformulated in February, less than a month after I bought it (2020 formula on RatzillaCosme). The new formula contains octisalate and Parsol SLX in addition to the UV filters in the 2018 formula. Ingredients: Dimethicone, Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Octinoxate, Talc, Isopropyl Myristate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Uvinul A Plus, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Dextrin Palmitate, Xylitol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tinosorb S, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Prunus Speciosa Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potentilla Erecta (Tormentil) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Soluble Collagen, PPG-17, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isostearic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
First things first, they claim it won’t leave much of a white cast, which might possibly be true in comparison to other sunscreens that only contain physical (non-organic) filters, but if you’re used to sunscreens with chemical (organic) filters like I am, make sure to look at a mirror and rub it in very well. If I can detect a white cast, it’s going to be obvious on a lot of people. I broke my SPF 50+ PA++++ rule because of the very specific circumstances that led me to buy this product. (Warning: This is really, really dumb.) I was staying at a friend’s place for a whole week in August 2019, and the room I was sleeping in had large windows on two walls and no curtains. The sun shines in by the time I wake up, and I ended up taking the desperate and extremely SCAcirclejerk action of putting sunscreen on before I go to sleep. Yes, I know most of the sunscreen would have rubbed off by the time morning came, but anything was better than nothing. Because I would be wearing it overnight, I went looking for something that seems extra gentle and went for this. The first night, I put a thick layer on without looking at a mirror, and woke up to realize I look like a post-performance Butoh dancer. At least this means I managed to sleep without having it all rub off, I guess. It definitely feels gentle and could be something to try if you’re looking for a physical sunscreen and if SPF 30 PA+++ is enough for you. It could also be an option for anyone that wants to avoid zinc oxide and all chemical filters. In spite of how I keep talking about the white cast, it’s probably not bad as physical sunscreens can get (everything else I’ve ever used include chemical filters). Active ingredient: Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate / Inactive ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Thujopsis Dolabrata Branch Extract, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Dipropylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Distearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monostearate, Stearic Acid, Dextrin Palmitate, Cetyl PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Eucalyptus Globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum) Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide (A), Acrylic Acid/Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Petrolatum, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, 2-Amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, PEG-400, Agar, Disodium EDTA
A kind user mentioned that this product can be used on your scalp in their comment on my previous post. The combination of this claim (which is indeed made by Ettusais) and the product name—“jelly” instead of the usual “gel”—made me picture a clear gel, not the usual gel cream that sunscreen gels actually are. Well, it’s your usual gel cream (why do they call it a jelly??), and personally it feels gross putting it on my scalp. The “herbal” fragrance is also a bit strong for my liking; again, I’m pretty anti-fragrance in skincare, so it’s likely to be fine for most. I don’t think I’ve ever worn it on my face and my body is less sensitive to light, so I don’t really know how effective it is compared to the others above. Ettusais has been going through a major brand reboot though, and it seems like they might be moving more toward makeup, unless that’s just where they've started. A ton of products have been discontinued, and this one was discontinued in March 2020 (official list of products discontinued since October 2017; link in Japanese). Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Octocrylene, Uvinul A Plus, Caprylyl Methicone, HDI/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, Tinosorb S, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Lactobacillus/Royal Jelly Ferment Filtrate, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calcium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Silica, BHT, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Fragrance
Unscented version of the seventh sunscreen reviewed in pt. 1. Same thoughts as before, except its being unscented works better for when I also want to wear perfume. I only ever worry about putting sunscreen on my haiscalp if I’m going outside for a significant amount of time during the day, which, again, hasn’t been happening much this year, so honestly I haven’t been using it much at all and don’t really have anything else to say. I think this is the only fragrance-free sunscreen spray that I know of, so that’s notable if it’s something you care about. Ingredients: Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Water, Octinoxate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpentanediol Dineopentanoate, Zinc Oxide, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Tar, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Common Thyme) FloweLeaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parsol SLX, Dimethicone, Butyl Acrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, BHT, Alcohol, Tocopherol |
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum submitted by ajkbeauty to AsianBeauty [link] [comments] I’ve been using the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum for just about a month now and boy has it been a ride. First things first, this is a very unique and interesting product. Even though it is called a serum...it is to be used at the start of your routine just after cleansing and actives. So, it really is more like a first essence in serum form. This lightweight/jelly-like serum features mondo grass, licorice root, honey, walnut seed, lotus, and green tea...as well as other herbal extracts for a formulation that covers a lot of bases. Brightening, soothing, balancing, and antioxidant benefits can all be found here. Alcohol makes it pretty high on the ingredients list which surprised me initially. But, it makes sense because the main purpose of this serum is to facilitate the absorption of other products in your routine. My first few applications of this product left me quite impressed. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum absorbs beautifully into the skin without any stickiness or residue. I typically used three pumps of product to gently pat into my skin. Although the alcohol scent is pretty apparent...there is a bit of sweet/hanbang fragrance that comes through. After use I noticed that my skin was looking more bright/illuminated and had a more bouncy look as well. Honestly, I felt like my skin was as close to that “dewy/honey-skin” look than it has ever been before. Having said that...I really did not want this to be some kind of placebo or my mind trying to justify the rather high cost of this product. So, after three weeks I pulled the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum from my routine to see if there would be a difference. It only took a couple of days for me to notice that my layers of toner weren’t sinking in as quickly. Plus, my skin was just lacking that bounce and feeling of deeper hydration (with no other changes to my routine). So it seems that this product really does deliver on its promises. My skin has really seen an almost immediate improvement since working the First Care Activating Serum into my routine. But, I still don’t know if I would come back to it. I feel like if I started working in a really nice first treatment essence packed with fermented ingredients (and a bit of alcohol) I might see a similar result...and could probably find something much more affordable per oz. For now, I’ll probably finish my bottle up and move back to other more “typical” serums that I have in my stash. If I do end up missing the benefits that I found in the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum...you may see it pop back up in my routine next year. Full Ingredients List: Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyme-Thacrylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Peg-60 Hyd-Rogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance / Parfum, Honey / Mel / Miel, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Dextrin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lim-Onene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Phenyl Trimethicone, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlor-Phenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bht, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol Where To Buy (Sephora - $84.00 USD - 60ml): https://www.sephora.com/product/first-care-activating-serum-P448915?skuId=2291102&icid2=products%20grid:p448915:product https://preview.redd.it/rucvd6ywi3x51.jpg?width=3232&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7545190b935f956f295c85796c107ee805edf9dc |
Aaugh, this is reading as mildew. Getting mild berry and elements of the other notes but altogether this smells like a wet, mildewy coat. Eventually the pokeberry starts to remind me of certain berry-scented soaps but the mildew never goes away. Hurk._____
Super smokey, less woodsmoke-y than Devil At The Crossroads but still pretty heavy. Candle wax does balance this out a bit and soon enough the candle note overtakes the grill. There is a dustiness to this, and overall it does smell old. Not sure about that “brittle black fur,” though…_____
Papery, astringent, bitter, a hint of booze. Potent! Smells like paper heavily perfumed with bitter high end florals. Intrigued by “lettuce” as a note, especially because lettuce smells like almost nothing to me. Certainly getting no definitive lettuce here, but I can easily imagine it’s that note giving this a somewhat watery green flair. This scent is pale, mostly clean (brandy muddles this a bit), and cold, so watery-pale-green is a fitting descriptor. An interesting contrast in that this smells wispy, almost ghostly in character, but the scent itself is really strong with serious throw. This is a ghost that wants attention. Love the idea behind this one; it evokes decrepit, distant memory and mournful decay. The brandy is an afterthought for me but does give this a slash of warmth at the base._____
Doesn’t even need a review, the description captures it so well. A core of The Ancient One, added atmospherics of fog and wet paper, and yes, cinnamon sugar toast. I’m amazed at this one. Damp, atmospheric, doing that “spiced frog” thing I get from Ancient One, all with a touch of toasty sweetness. This is a treat for weirdos._____
What an interesting affect the lavender fougère and cedar is having on my nose… Backed by the amber and other woods, this smells strangely spiced (in an herbal way), wet, and slippery. I’m visualizing frogs?? Looking at the notes it all makes sense. Without that reference it’s weird and unearthly. It’s really cool and wearable even if not something I personally want to wear._____
Warm, honey-sweet, and what is striking me as a spicy bitter green - I guess that’s galbanum? The peach note is very faint, more like a background flavor of the honey rather than it’s own thing. This is strange and interesting, warm and smooth. What I think is the rice milk strengthens over time and that warm-sweet-smoothness is flavorful and comforting._____
Strong initial blast of realistic cream, baby powder, and white musk. Strangely enough I kinda like it despite how unappealing that sounds to me. Definitely getting that smooth gasoline I’m so very familiar with from TSS, which is playing bizarrely well with the cream. Gasoline strengthens very quickly but doesn’t overpower. Not getting much on the apricot front but there is a subtle fruitiness here. Same for the dirt, which is more of an underlying hint than a blatantly noticeable smell. All in all this is actually quite unsettling! Absolutely reminiscent of babies but there’s something not quite right with this child…_____
Vaguely smoky? Dank leaves and undergrowth, spicy carnation musk. At first I thought I was getting the clean white musk as advertised but no, this is much deeper to my nose… Which is likely just the way it’s mixing with the woody bark and such. Smells like a sexy, outdoorsy ghost. Only a few minutes in that “smoky” scent ebbs away along with some of the pungency of the vegetation. I would whine about this except what’s left is beautiful - a little paler, softer, and more ethereal. More floral centric too. Generally a bit closer to what I expected reading the notes. Only downside is this gets a little too pale much sooner than I’d like. Sinks to a very light skin scent after about an hour. While still pleasant, doesn’t quite have the oomph it previously did. I don’t mind reapplying scents but this would be frequent._____
Inexplicably beautiful and weirdly familiar. I can’t figure this one out. It’s dusty, sweet but mild… Makes me think of opening the door to a dust closet (what my mom called the cupboard where she stashed the vacuum & broom) and taking a big whiff, then stepping outside to watch storm clouds rolling in, the air heavy with the scent of summer rain. And also there’s musty marshmallows?? Doesn’t sound great out loud but I LOVE this blend and these impressions are hitting me in the most positive way possible. I think the “dust” feel is what’s so nostalgic for me. Looking at the notes, some of it makes sense: can pick out just about everything and see where some notes are combining to make “musty” (matcha green tea + somewhat powdery violet + marshmallow), but altogether it’s still a nebulous, nameless atmospheric feeling of a perfume. It’s fantastic, perfect for summer, and totally bizarre. To me this has a petrichor feel even if it doesn’t have a direct petrichor smell. Doesn’t specifically read as floral to me but that becomes a little more apparent over time. Lasts like 8-10 hours._____
Smells like wet dog! Even gets the hair grease scent right! That’s too damn bad because after ~30 minutes it actually smells nice: warm, a little nutty, vaguely good in a difficult to distinguish way, and no more dog. I just can’t disassociate wet dog at the start and that makes it tough to get a read on even after the dog has left._____
For all that’s going on in here I don’t seem to be getting much. At first blast, pleasantly herbal and sweet. Light vegan honey and pungent white tuberose (not overbearing to me; blends in quite well). The tuberose chills out fairly quickly and now I smell greenery and clean skin with a light hint of flowers… and that’s kinda it. Wears very close to the skin, have to press my nose there to smell it. Reminds me of a very nice, unobtrusive hand cream._____
Yes, the gang’s all here. The bud is clear but inoffensive; wearing this doesn’t make me reek of weed. This is a fresher shade of marijuana green, uplifted by the berries but grounded and sweetened with chocolate and coffee. Smells like a delicious snack. I’ve really come to admire the straight chocolate note TSS uses, it’s so dark and smooth and real. Everything blends together more thoroughly as this dries and the chocolate, once prominent, takes a backseat. Starting to get a bit blah with the berries popping out as the most noticeable note - I think my skin is eating this one. Much prefer the fresh wet stage over this dry down: wet, this is thicker, headier, and wonderfully unique/tasty; dry, on me it becomes a shadow of its former self. To counter this I dabbed some oil on my hoodie and I 1000% enjoyed the comforting, scrumptious cloud I sat in. For someone who dislikes pot IRL I think the bud is an excellent contributor._____
Spinal Tap reference! Mmm, the house blend Black Musk. It’s a good one, a lovely balance of what I like and dislike about various black musks: black, almost oily, with a strong thrum of that sweet, sticky, nearly coca-cola quality I can’t stand sometimes. This smells dangerous, like animalistic motor oil and coke. Dries down to a beautiful version of its wetter self with cacao-like hints of bitter dark chocolate replacing the syrupy coke-feel, but that makes it no less thick and viscous. Goes on strong and intensely potent, calms down to heavy but quite soft. Can see this will make a wonderful layering note that won’t drown out the scent you’re pairing it with. That’s a damn great black musk._____
Wow, does that ever warm up on my skin! Heat really makes this blossom. Spicy (perhaps involving a dash of cinnamon?), resinous, deep red, and fruity the way dragon’s blood is. If dragon’s blood isn’t actually involved in this, I would never be able to tell. Getting a slight tangy sensation - not much, and not in the extra coppery, meaty way real blood is, but it does elevate the idea. More reminiscent of fake blood than real, but that doesn’t cheapen it. This is a fantasy blood accord, and it’s a vampy teen gothic romance. Very long lasting._____
Icy and cold. Light honeyed frank without the expected warmth and a sinister backdrop of patch and blood. Almost dreary; winter approaches. This is autumn decay on the cusp of winter and could easily be the olfactory setting of a Poe story. Gorgeous. Still going 8+ hours later._____
Yet another blend that strangely reminds me of dogs at the outset, but at least this dog hair isn’t wet and smelly. That gently but quickly fades after a few minutes and the result is oh so pleasant. Everything is so well blended they melt into one another; all is soft and cozy. Ginger at the forefront, closely followed by peppercorn and cardamom and soft smoke. Wood and stone add depth and character. Wormwood may be the exception in that I either barely smell it or I simply don’t know what I’m looking for. Too cozy to associate with burning rain of death! Instead, yeah, a warm, snuggly dog. I’m picturing a golden retriever. Much later, wood, stone and smoke take the forefront and cool the scent down. So maybe the dog got up and left, but his presence lingers._____
Super tart cranberries. Honeysuckle, some greenery. Tobacco blooms after a minute or two. The cranberry hovers in the middle range instead of remaining on top, with the crisp tang lost to a more domineering tobacco. That is a fantastic development for me. Pretty sure I’m getting a hint of gasoline, but it’s a BG note for now. Same kind of gasoline smoothness as in Some Mother’s Boy. Blood is in there and it works especially well with the cranberry - the blood accord leans fruity, but that is offset enough by equally fruity berries to allow me to focus more on the BLOOD aspect. It’s pretty great. Aging has done beautiful things here and has amplified tobacco as the backbone of this scent._____
Burnt sage is incredibly prominent, smelling singed and smoky. Altogether very herbal and fuzzy. The fruits are present but well hidden in the background, giving this a soft, plummy or deeply fruity base. Not sweet at all to me. Faintly floral in a way that compliments the greenery. Something in here prompts me to describe it as “herbal dust” but unsure if that’s due to the sage or another note. Fuzzy warmth spreads as this dries down and the fig shows its face a little more. After about 30 min the sage chills out enough to stop dominating. Soft, furry, herbal, lightly warm, and backed up by fig. A fresher kind of fig, not too thick and sweet and heady as I usually get. Can easily get a sense of warm cat fur after he’s been rolling around outside on a sunny day._____
Soft Spanish moss swinging over a gently flowing bayou. This is a swampy aquatic without ever overdoing it on the swamp factor, nor does it remain too wet. Everything smells so delicate to me, light and refreshing and so reminiscent of this scenery, but at the same time never getting too real (real swamps have a funk factor). Mossy green, delicate floral, muddy water. And somehow that yellow cake is there with a dash of nutmeg to cozy it up and it just works. Struggling to describe this one: it’s as it says, but better. Light handed in scent but not a disappearing act._____
\(Sucreabeille Indie Marketplace exclusive)*
That is some intense woodsmoke on top. For sure includes burning wood but luckily isn’t crazy BBQ. Behind that lies cold and pine and dark, icy nights. It takes some time but the woodsmoke does ease up, though it remains prominent. This smells just like a starless, frigid evening with smoke heavy in the air. Note: aging seems to have removed some of that bitter cold this initially held, so if you buy this and hang onto it the perfume may “warm up” over time._____
Seeing as how I typically dislike boozy scents I’m truly surprised by how much I like this one. The bourbon isn’t hitting me hard at all, instead blending very smoothly with the rest of the notes. The strongest notes in my nose are red musk and “waxed wood,” followed by a bourbon-ized orange citrus (this is not a bright n’ happy citrus). It’s like drinking an Old Fashioned at a darkly stained, highly varnished old wood bar, plus red musk. The musk has a spicy, resinous quality about it (or that’s the bourbon’s influence, in which case wow these two play very well together). Not getting any sort of aquatic feel. This is moody and honestly quite sexy; great for date night. Definitely tell your date what you’re wearing!_____
Spiced cider is very well blended and more atmospheric than any other cider blend I’ve tried. No killer strong spices, more like holding a mug and the smell is wafting up from it. Love that. A little dusty and grassy, a lovely compliment to the cider. Ever so slightly hints at water. This leather though… I love a good, old, well-worn suede note, but this one is leaning toward newer leather just as much as it leans toward suede, and I’m not so into that. Regardless, this one really tells an olfactory story._____
Spiced green florals and dirt. I don’t know if “spiced” is the right word, but that’s what I’ve got - it’s somewhat peppery. Starts off a bit astringent but that burns off pretty quick. Very green with wet stone appearing after a few minutes. An atmospheric clean green scent. There’s a danger in this type going soapy but that isn’t happening on me this time, which is a nice surprise._____
Didn’t realize this was a Lovecraft reference at first, but on first whiff it suddenly makes sense. This is powerfully aquatic and one of the least laundry-like I’ve sniffed of that combo so far. Absolutely involves ambergris. Can smell it faintly in the bottle and it blooms as soon as it touches skin, making this briny and sea-like without overdoing it. The water aspect of this is incredible: it’s strong and fresh but with enough salt and ambergris added to make it oceanic. Still manages to retain a freshness that really works. A wonderful perfume version of the sea; I can picture turbulent blue-green waves frothing along the shore._____
Quite floral and yet not indolic; this doesn’t strike me as jasmine, but that’s because jasmine usually sickens me. Herbaceously green without astringency. Earthy. A good graveyard scent, a sense of deep rot but in a romanticized way… Southern Gothic romance in a bottle. Develops an almost pale honey sweetness as it wears._____
Wow, I really love this marshmallow note. Never thought I’d say that about marshmallow, but this one is so musty and strange and I love it. (I think my love can mainly be attributed to my love of the smell of actual dust and musty old books.) Perhaps it’s the mallow+violet making this blend musty/dusty/powdery, or however it should be worded - Before The Drop has that combo as well. This is very like BTD but is a little simpler, a little sweeter, and extremely comforting. Dusty, fluffy, and light purple floral, and I do think the violet promotes that vibe further. There’s a greater depth in here I want to attribute to some kind of pale musk, but no such thing is listed so all I can do is shrug at that. Not particularly fruity; perhaps there’s a hint of pom but I can’t pick it out. No frost either, although the longer I wear this the more likely it seems there’s a tiny bit of chilly mint. Smells old fashioned and frilly, but not nearly as delicate as you might think. Sadly, my skin eats this one very quickly._____
Thick, hefty, very warm and darkly sweet. Applies like POW to the senses but chills out after a couple minutes. The sweet is on the cusp of being molasses but never really gets there, instead keeping its brown sugar form like it’s supposed to. Sweetness is further emphasized by the coconut husk, vanilla, and sassafras. The coconut adds just enough character to be present and lovely without ever going sunscreen or true foodie, so I fully believe it’s more husk than meat. Sassafras is in competition with the heavier notes, but seems to strengthen as it wears. Tuberose is not too waxy-white and backs up honeysuckle for a lovely shade of floral. The base notes here are powerhouses: smooth sandalwood and vanilla, woody teak and tobacco. Has the slightest amount of minty menthol to make it interesting. Hefty and lasts for hours and hours. Very gender neutral._____
Thick incense, almost smoky, definitely musky but not heavily so - mid-range, I’d say, and clean; not very animalic. Background is indeed warm and fuzzy between amber, tonka, and sandalwood. Purple, musky incense and amber draped sandalwood - very witchy! Though not intrinsically animal-like, I’m picturing a warm cat tummy; a witch’s familiar if we’re staying on theme. Sillage and throw are way fainter than I expected and this sits very close to the skin. Aging gave this strength in that department, but unfortunately still it disappears very quickly on me :(_____
Smells like a perfume version of afternoon in late summer. Sounds redundant to say “a perfume version,” but I mean that as in this isn’t a true atmospheric: it’s more of a suggestion. Dry straw and corn - impressed with how strong the corn is. Dusty-smooth with a pale creaminess that becomes more apparent as it dries. I can’t explain that creaminess but suspect it’s the musk at work. Juniper is on the faint side, still adds a nice twinge of gin-like evergreen. I have no idea how to identify antler velvet! Perhaps the velvet is what’s helping along that dusty-smooth feel._____
Strong woodsmoke with formidable throw. Reminds me of wood chips on a grill. Hoo boy, this one is an attention grabber. Was waiting for that to burn off but after like 40 min it’s still going strong. Under all that smoke and presumably brimstone I do get boozy bourbon, burnt wood, a hint of leather and spice. But the smoke is potent, yo. It drowns everything else out if my nose isn’t close to the source. I might smell like I’ve recently been on fire, and that in itself is actually fitting for the name, haha. Picturing Satan at the crossroads in a leather jacket, wearing sunglasses at night, smoke steaming off him. Somewhere over an hour later this is still prominently smoke but has eased up on smothering the other notes. Would be extremely sexy with the right skin chemistry or any member of a biker gang who wants a bad boy bonfire smell to match the look._____
Lovely ambergris pairing so well with honeysuckle and oak. There is a thick, grounding backdrop of woods, moss, and mud (earthy but there is a touch of something wet). This is a romanticized perfume version of a swamp rather than a realistic interpretation, but I’m so pleased with how swampy it manages to be. Elderberry is hovering near the top, trying to add a brighter berry-sweetness, but it only partially succeeds. Similar to Slipped Between His Teeth, but Drowned is a bit brighteless dreary and feels more Southern to me than Teeth._____
Disclaimer: I got a freebie sample of this before the notes were released, so this is broken up into first vs second impressions. My attempt to guess the notes is laughable but I did alright with the general feel._____
First impression: Pale honey and a very light, almost fluffy vanilla. Not as gourmand as I expected based on the name. Something golden starts to creep out. Blossoming into something beautiful - golden wood. Tobacco involved? Deepens and warms as it wears. Does not smell like ice cream to me at all. Makes me think of late summer warmth, with something green to offset the light sweetness. I wouldn’t be surprised if this had a mild herbal note involved.
Second impression w/ notes: No honey, but the vanillic scent is explainable by tonka and probably whatever sweet creaminess makes up the ice cream. Was right about tobacco! Still not getting “ice cream” specifically but there is a faint, sweet creaminess involved (although I don’t taste strawberries). I’m either picking up on ice cream now because I know for sure to look for it, or that’s the awesome power of suggestion. As for the greenery, depending on how real TSS is with those limp flowers, perhaps there’s a bit of drying stem in there. And now I can pinpoint the bloody bite hiding in here. Still feels like summer warmth but with a spooky edge.
Watery floral but sans any actual aquatic. “Dusty” also works. If I focus I get honeysuckle, a hint of spice, a fruity kind of thing? (blaming blood for this) and an amalgamation of what could be dirt + wood + blood. Very pale, weak sillage, doesn’t smell like much._____
Whoa, that is some woodsmoke. Not subtle at all. After a bit, the smoke is thicker, wetter. Not the atmospheric fog I expected but closer to it than at the start. I’m willing to believe a fog accord is mixing with the ‘wooden stairs’ in a way that makes it smokier that it should be, though to me it’s like woodsmoke is an entirely separate note that was accidentally left off the list. It’s hiding the tea from my nose but I am picking up a muddled sweetness that suggests there was sugar in the cup. A heavier scent than anticipated but no less menacing. Roughly 30-45 minutes later (disclaimer: I’d stopped paying attention somewhere in that timeframe) this is right where it’s supposed to be: still faintly smoky but much foggier with dry, old wood in the background and a prominent tea-with-sugar note. If I’m going to be really, really specific this reminds me of a darkly brewed Thai tea._____
Warm, sweet, and quite lemony. Smoke keeps to the background and actually feels distant. Uncomplicated and so, so lovely. Gets even prettier as it wears. Over time the smoke gets a little more prominent, as if we stepped a bit closer to the campfire._____
A gentle floral with gentle sweetness and a lovely, blooming depth. Very pretty and what I’d consider “girly” without being, like, typical overly sweet teeny-bopper girly. A pale, delicate rose with equally delicate honeysuckle, softened by hay. The other notes add a warm grounding quality that really drive this one home and keep it from being too soft and pretty. Totally romantic and charming; perfect for a gentle first love. Like Ghost Milk I get strong nostalgic vibes from this._____
A warm and summery floral afternoon in a golden field. What I think is sunflower is very pretty. Juniper berry is light but present. Leans soapy after some wear, which I think comes down to rain and white tea mixing with ylang-ylang and/or orange blossom. So, a fancy, good-smelling soap. This vibe calms down after a while, so I wouldn’t consider this any kind of screechy-soapy. Hours later, a simplified and very clean scent. Not mind blowing but it’s a super pleasant kind of clean skin smell that’s easy to like._____
Cold stone, metal, peppery green. Seems like everything is accounted for! Much nicer than I expected. A fetching masculine scent on the surface but I would wear this. Murky green spiced with gunpowder. Stone and metal, neither sharp or strong, just there below a surface of spiced, dark green. There’s a very, very mild sweetness to this I can’t place, something that smooths the edges of this scent and adds a little warmth. I suspect amber. Over time I’m starting to get a hint of pencil shavings so now I’m suspicious of red patchouli (patchouli makes sense for the woody warmth I’m getting now). This would be a keeper but for the pencil note that I amp too much. Ah well. Still a good blend that I otherwise enjoy._____
Very corn heavy, which is interesting and comes with a somewhat creamy texture as with Deerskin. The smoke is even heavier, raging and fiery, and comes out powerful at the start. Mellows out as it wears, which I appreciate. Hours later this is smoky, burning corn. Not like roasted corn, which is a whole different ballgame; this is more like a sinister fire and not at all foody._____
This is a very likable vanillic amber. Smooth, gentle, and softly sweet; dreamy and a little powdery; baby-like, but not childish or screaming baby powder - this smells more like a sweet little girl. The orange blossom is just as soft as everything else and plays very nicely. Makes me picture white linen and lace and kind, young children playing on the floor of an old house, dressed in Victorian finery. There’s a gauzy haze about this one, like a glamour filter over a film lens. Good throw and long lasting. Super nostalgic, quietly beautiful._____
Dusty florals, rain, greenery, strong pepper. Makes me think of a humid hothouse rainstorm. The pepper really packs a punch! Excellent. It dominates along with the rain and an ever-strengthening lush green, which overtops the wood and floral aspects. Has a clean edge that makes me think a wee bit of soap, but it’d be unfair to call this soapy. I’m pretty sure that’s just my general reaction to most aquatics. This is the kind of smell I’d associate with one of those fancy rich-people showers that has beautiful tiled floors, a luxe wooden shower bench, and jungle plants inside to help you soak up the hot water and steam._____
Dust, conceivably like old animal fur. Murky aquatic. Reminds me of the fur coat in Skull Where Her Face Had Been. This furry accord pops up a few times in the TSS catalogue but it’s pretty strong here. That remains the strongest part, but honey does come out to play in time. A woody base, but mostly that dry, musky, dusty old fur smell._____
Fresh out of the bottle this is CITRONELLA like damn. Eventually other notes start cropping up, and I get soil + mahogany and maybe a hint of coffee? But otherwise it just kinda stays strong citronella forever._____
Super in-your-face floral. Would definitely be a headache if strong rose and jasmine aren’t your thing, but if they are then this only gets better. Florals dominate but they’re backed by a chorus of interesting notes: I get the spike of pepper and bergamot, a lightly sweet honey, and the warm depth of patch and amber. Conceivably a grandma perfume, and does go a bit powdery, but grandma is awesome and smells great (if potent). This perfume is special to me in that it’s the first time I’ve ever sniffed jasmine in a bottle and not hated it. Impressive on that merit alone._____
When first sniffed fresh out of the mailbox, this was sharp and astringent. Aging has done it justice: still carries the aforementioned traits at first, but they’re now deeper and more defined. That black patchouli is black as night. Roses are a sharp and dry floral, like a deadly dame’s perfume. There has to be black musk in here; I’m getting a hint of the Coca-Cola thing some black musks smell like to me. It’s thick but far less syrupy and not very sweet - now that I know what Blackout smells like I’m positive that’s what this is. Would all be so heavy if not for the snow, a cool and slightly aquatic feel that keeps things just light enough that it doesn’t fall into a pit of darkness._____
Whoa, this is strange and otherworldly. Thick, dank, dreamily atmospheric… “humidity trapped under a tin roof” makes complete sense. Make of it what you will but the first thing that comes to mind is “steamy iced tea.” This is a gulp of room temp iced tea that’s been sitting out for a while. There’s still condensation on the glass. It’s not as refreshing as you want it to be, but it’s so hot and humid in here, and you’re panting, and you just need some liquid down your throat. There is no booze in this tea but you suspect something illicit and heady may have slipped in anyway. Or maybe that’s just how you feel in this moment. Something about this perfume reminds me of sex. It’s not sexy in a traditionally perfumed or raunchy way… More like the humid atmosphere it evokes puts me in mind of a hot, dark night with sticky, naked skin. It’s unexpectedly sultry and highly evocative; not so much seductive as it is post-coital, with a distant storm rumbling closer._____
Stepping away from verbosity and into the actual notes: coconut is there and playing very nicely - this is not a coconut forward scent. Neither is it foody; it’s more like fibrous, woody coconut husk to my nose. Definite florals involved but I can’t tell what specifically. TSS is great with white florals and I wouldn’t be surprised if this blend included something indolic to dirty it up a bit. Clove dirties it up for sure, especially with benzoin backing it up in the base. Hazelnut is tough for me to pick out but I know it’s in there as an interesting back note. Can’t begin to describe this humidity business but dear god it exists and it’s fantastic.
While this indeed smells of burnt sugar, it also smells remarkably like an ice cream parlor. Not getting literal ice cream, but I am smelling a mix of sprinkles, waffle cones, and other toppings. Just the all around sweet atmosphere of an ice cream shop. But especially waffle cones! The burnt sugar aspect gives the whole thing a caramelized veneer._____
Aging has improved this. Much smoother, less screechy than when I got it fresh (iirc) and is actually quite beautiful. Wisteria, I think, is giving a hint of the screechy-floral still but it’s well tempered now. The rose is gorgeous and rounds out the jasmine, which is white and indolic as usual but in an animalistic kinda-sexy way that I can only imagine is what other people usually get out of it. Finally, I get a taste of what makes jasmine so desirable (I am detrimentally sensitive to white florals/indoles). This has never happened outside of TSS, so this is basically a miracle. The aldehydes perfectly match with the florals and promote a lushness I struggle to describe. A classic floral that suits an attractive older woman - this isn’t your grandma’s perfume, but it’s definitely not a young girl’s scent either. The thought behind this one is great, as this is a sexier version of an old fashioned perfume to go along with the old fashioned concept and treatment of Hysteria.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum submitted by ajkbeauty to AsianBeautyAdvice [link] [comments] I’ve been using the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum for just about a month now and boy has it been a ride. First things first, this is a very unique and interesting product. Even though it is called a serum...it is to be used at the start of your routine just after cleansing and actives. So, it really is more like a first essence in serum form. This lightweight/jelly-like serum features mondo grass, licorice root, honey, walnut seed, lotus, and green tea...as well as other herbal extracts for a formulation that covers a lot of bases. Brightening, soothing, balancing, and antioxidant benefits can all be found here. Alcohol makes it pretty high on the ingredients list which surprised me initially. But, it makes sense because the main purpose of this serum is to facilitate the absorption of other products in your routine. My first few applications of this product left me quite impressed. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum absorbs beautifully into the skin without any stickiness or residue. I typically used three pumps of product to gently pat into my skin. Although the alcohol scent is pretty apparent...there is a bit of sweet/hanbang fragrance that comes through. After use I noticed that my skin was looking more bright/illuminated and had a more bouncy look as well. Honestly, I felt like my skin was as close to that “dewy/honey-skin” look than it has ever been before. Having said that...I really did not want this to be some kind of placebo or my mind trying to justify the rather high cost of this product. So, after three weeks I pulled the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum from my routine to see if there would be a difference. It only took a couple of days for me to notice that my layers of toner weren’t sinking in as quickly. Plus, my skin was just lacking that bounce and feeling of deeper hydration (with no other changes to my routine). So it seems that this product really does deliver on its promises. My skin has really seen an almost immediate improvement since working the First Care Activating Serum into my routine. But, I still don’t know if I would come back to it. I feel like if I started working in a really nice first treatment essence packed with fermented ingredients (and a bit of alcohol) I might see a similar result...and could probably find something much more affordable per oz. For now, I’ll probably finish my bottle up and move back to other more “typical” serums that I have in my stash. If I do end up missing the benefits that I found in the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum...you may see it pop back up in my routine next year. Full Ingredients List: Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyme-Thacrylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Peg-60 Hyd-Rogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance / Parfum, Honey / Mel / Miel, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Dextrin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lim-Onene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Phenyl Trimethicone, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlor-Phenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bht, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol Where To Buy (Sephora - $84.00 USD - 60ml): https://www.sephora.com/product/first-care-activating-serum-P448915?skuId=2291102&icid2=products%20grid:p448915:product https://preview.redd.it/yoc8k51ui3x51.jpg?width=3232&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e78b32529640c663698453ead6ad3049e96b479 |
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum submitted by ajkbeauty to SkincareAddiction [link] [comments] I’ve been using the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum for just about a month now and boy has it been a ride. First things first, this is a very unique and interesting product. Even though it is called a serum...it is to be used at the start of your routine just after cleansing and actives. So, it really is more like a first essence in serum form. This lightweight/jelly-like serum features mondo grass, licorice root, honey, walnut seed, lotus, and green tea...as well as other herbal extracts for a formulation that covers a lot of bases. Brightening, soothing, balancing, and antioxidant benefits can all be found here. Alcohol makes it pretty high on the ingredients list which surprised me initially. But, it makes sense because the main purpose of this serum is to facilitate the absorption of other products in your routine. My first few applications of this product left me quite impressed. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum absorbs beautifully into the skin without any stickiness or residue. I typically used three pumps of product to gently pat into my skin. Although the alcohol scent is pretty apparent...there is a bit of sweet/hanbang fragrance that comes through. After use I noticed that my skin was looking more bright/illuminated and had a more bouncy look as well. Honestly, I felt like my skin was as close to that “dewy/honey-skin” look than it has ever been before. Having said that...I really did not want this to be some kind of placebo or my mind trying to justify the rather high cost of this product. So, after three weeks I pulled the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum from my routine to see if there would be a difference. It only took a couple of days for me to notice that my layers of toner weren’t sinking in as quickly. Plus, my skin was just lacking that bounce and feeling of deeper hydration (with no other changes to my routine). So it seems that this product really does deliver on its promises. My skin has really seen an almost immediate improvement since working the First Care Activating Serum into my routine. But, I still don’t know if I would come back to it. I feel like if I started working in a really nice first treatment essence packed with fermented ingredients (and a bit of alcohol) I might see a similar result...and could probably find something much more affordable per oz. For now, I’ll probably finish my bottle up and move back to other more “typical” serums that I have in my stash. If I do end up missing the benefits that I found in the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum...you may see it pop back up in my routine next year. Full Ingredients List: Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyme-Thacrylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Peg-60 Hyd-Rogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance / Parfum, Honey / Mel / Miel, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Dextrin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lim-Onene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Phenyl Trimethicone, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlor-Phenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bht, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol Where To Buy (Sephora - $84.00 USD - 60ml): https://www.sephora.com/product/first-care-activating-serum-P448915?skuId=2291102&icid2=products%20grid:p448915:product https://preview.redd.it/a62myzhoi3x51.jpg?width=3232&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3979ebe68a1de952d3d4007ecc1140f55c08662 |
Supergoop! 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 submitted by ajkbeauty to SkincareAddiction [link] [comments] Mineral based sunscreen sticks are something that developed into kind of a passion for me. Taking a trick from several skincare bloggers...using this type of product around the eye area can help prevent the stinking/irritation that can sometimes come with getting a chemical sunscreen too close to the eyes. The Supergoop! 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 was one that I didn't have a lot of hope for. The mineral sunscreen spray I used from them was incredibly powdery and impossible to blend in. But, the mineral sunscreen stick did not play me like that lol! Featuring 21% Zinc Oxide, Brazil Nut Oil, Shea Butter, and Chia Seed Oil...this sunscreen rubs on with a nice creamy feel that doesn’t feel greasy or leave behind a chalky residue. The white cast is fairly minimal considering the formulation. It isn't something I could use on my entire face...but blending it around the eye area is manageable and might even provide a cosmetic brightening effect. One of the other selling points for me is the scent. This product has a very interesting scent that reminds me of vanilla nut milk. There is a creaminess to the scent that I love. This is one of the better mineral sunscreens that I’ve used for just around the eyes and one that I will absolutely be coming back to! Full Ingredients List: Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 21% Inactive Ingredients: Beeswax, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Heptyl Undecylenate, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Oryzanol, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Triethyl Citrate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Where To Buy ($24.00 USD on Supergoop! Site): https://supergoop.com/products/100-mineral-sunscreen-stick https://preview.redd.it/mm2pjvt0mlh51.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a41207265e80d49e163f8f2338debe555d9b079 |
Good Skin Days - C’s The Day Serum submitted by ajkbeauty to SkincareAddiction [link] [comments] It feels like just a few days ago when I was sitting in on a Zoom call hosted by Charlotte Cho...where she revealed/announced the Good Skin Days line. I was so happy and excited for her and this next step in the Soko Glam journey. Needless to say, I picked up the three initial product launches as soon as I could and got my hands on the fourth (the Prime Time Cleansing Toner) last week. But, I’ll save my thoughts on the new line as a whole for the full brand review. Right now I want to focus on one product (the first that I’ve incorporated into my routine)...the C’s The Day Serum. When Charlotte first brought this serum up during her presentation I thought “Wait, you already have a vitamin c serum...and it’s one of my favorites!” The Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid was one of the very first K-Beauty products I purchased and it was the one that kind of sold me on vitamin c. That product contained a powerful concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid that, for the first time, really started to fade my hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Issues I had been dealing with for literal decades finally started to show improvement and I was hooked. At that point, Soko Glam and Charlotte Cho could do no wrong in my eyes (I guess that is still the case LOL)! Now that the Triple C Lightning Liquid has been discontinued (which hurts my heart but I understand given some of the stability and storing issues) we have this new serum to take its place...to a certain extent. Let’s dive in. The C’s The Day Serum is a lightweight/fluid product featuring 10% Ascorbic Acid, Camu Camu Fruit Extract (for added vitamin c power), Licorice Root Extract, Niacinamide, Japanese Goldthread Extract, Ginseng Berry Extract, Hibiscus Flower Extract, and Cocoa Extract. This blend of ingredients claims to not only provide the brightening/antioxidant boost of vitamin c but the other extracts heighten the antioxidant abilities even more. These ingredients can be great to fight against free radicals and block potential damage from sun exposure (not in a sunscreen protection manner however). I love the clean/simplistic packaging and printed testimonials on the boxes. I’ll cover packaging and marketing in the brand review but let’s just say I’m left feeling impressed by Good Skin Days in an aesthetic and “purpose” perspective. The actual serum comes out in a dropper format and applies/smoothes onto the skin really easily. It’s not quite as fluid as the Cosrx Lightening Liquid meaning you have a few seconds of “play” before the product drips off of the face. However, I found it to be easier to just apply a few drops to my hands...and then pat the product into my skin. It had been quite some time since I had a vitamin c product in my routine...so I did experience some slight tingling on my skin. This was a bit more intense on areas that I shave (jawline and cheeks). But, after a few uses (I use this every AM) this effect totally went away and the C’s The Day Serum was just as comfortable as any other serum in my routine. One of the things I really appreciated about this formula was the lack of tackiness or sticky feeling after application. This was something I had come to accept with concentrated vitamin c serums but this one was much more comfortable/approachable. I’ve never found it to be a real issue as I am usually applying several “steps” over my vitamin c...but those that dislike the feeling have little to worry about here. After the first week or so of use I really noticed an improvement in overall skin brightness and tone-evening. While this serum wasn’t quite as potent as to really diminish specific acne marks...it did a really nice job with general “maintenance mode” brightening. I’d have to say this is probably the biggest difference between it and the Triple C Lightning Liquid. Those that are hoping to find a direct replacement to that classic vitamin c serum from Cosrx...I really don’t think this is it. Don't get me wrong, I really like the C’s The Day Serum. But, it just doesn't have that super high concentration (and the volatility that comes with it) to really get in there and lighten the darkest of hyperpigmentation. For me, the C’s The Day Serum is something that is more geared towards those just starting with vitamin c or who have previously experienced sensitivity to the ingredient. It does the job of moderate/overall brightening really well...but would point to the By Wishtrend Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum as a more direct replacement for the Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid. That one is much more “intense” and suited for spot treatment use. But, what is lost in regards to potency over the Cosrx product is made up for by how easy it is to “care” for this vitamin c. No refrigeration, no clogged pipettes, no off color (at least in the month that I’ve had mine open) are to be seen here. This is a really well formulated and stabilized vitamin c in my opinion that once again lends itself to a wider customer base (aka people like me that dont want the hassle). I wouldn’t be providing a proper comparison without mentioning my all-time favorite vitamin c serum...the Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum. That product uses a blend of Ascorbic Acid alongside Pineapple Fruit Extract and Lactic Acid to not only brighten the skin long-term...but also give an immediate “glow”. I love the versatility and instant results of that product so, so much. The C’s The Day Serum offers similar results over time but is missing that instant “hit” of brightening and glow. But, coming in at nearly half the cost...it is a fine and affordable option that I think so many people are going to fall in love with (I certainly have)! This is a total win from the Good Skin Days line and one that is worth picking up if you are in the market for a nice, easy to get along with, easy to care for, relatively affordable, and effective vitamin c serum. I can’t wait to get the rest of the line into my routine! Full Ingredients List: Aqua (Water, Eau), Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Niacinamide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arbutin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin Where To Buy ($26.00 USD on Soko Glam): https://sokoglam.com/products/good-skin-days-cs-the-day-serum https://preview.redd.it/ewclzg23kue51.jpg?width=3524&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9c97871e668fc7d13167aea6c1ad33f2dbed209 |
Thebroma Cacao, the food of the gods, also known as cocoa, grows only in the lush tropics. Our cocoa pods are hand picked, sun dried, and shipped to us from Ecuador. These pods contain the beans that chocolate is made from! Learn More. Own a Piece of the world beyond. person_outline Jess 5y ago. Gosford, NSW. Cacao. They DO need pollination, some trees but not all are self fertile which this doesn't specify if this one is, but the tiny midges that pollinate these in its natural habitat don't exist here so hand pollination is required to produce any cacao pods. This is the sacred fruit that chocolate is made out of! Inside the cacao pod, you can eat the sweet flesh off the seeds. The seeds can also be eaten raw. If you want to make cacao nibs, make sure to roast or thoroughly dehydrated the seeds and then pulse blend in a food processor or blender. Cacao Pods - Grown Sustaina The Cacao Fruit Company is known worldwide as The Cacao Fruit Innovators™ for a reason: because it's positively reinventing the Cocoa Industry, known solely for the chocolate that comes from cocoa beans. Today, only 20% of the entire cacao fruit pod is used and it's only for the cocoa beans. But The Cacao Fruit Company now uses 99% of each Cacao Fruit pod to fully deliver exceptionally ... New and Healthy Theobroma Cacao Cocoa Chocolate Fruit Tree - TRINITARIO - Potted Plant Yellow Green. 4.1 out of 5 stars 23. $29.99 $ 29. 99. FREE Shipping. Indonesian Vanilla Beans - Gourmet Grade A Pods for Homemade Vanilla Extract and Baking - 6" or longer (3 Beans) 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,444. The cacao fruit can help reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve energy levels, and support cognitive function. Where to buy cacao fruit. Cacao trees only grow near the equator, within a zone 20 degrees to the north and south. Roughly 70% of the world’s production of cacao beans comes from West Africa. The world's first soda powered by the natural goodness of cacao fruit. Crafted with upcycled cacao fruit juice. Slightly fermented and packed with natural energy and prebiotics. Enjoy the sense of elevation and mindfulness that come from the cacao fruit’s standout energy source, theobromine. Kawaii Cute Fruit Fill Line. Files Includes: Vector files. Openable, Editable, and Resizable Without Losing Quality. Can be read by vector-based graphics programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, etc. I agree to receive news, updates & other promotional information from BLUE STRIPES, CACAO SHOP, and understand that I can withdraw at any time. privacy policy . YOUR CART There are many varieties of cacao in the world. Most varieties are grown to produce a deep and rich chocolate flavored bean. Other varieties have a rich thick fruit flesh. The white fruit surrounding the bean contains fruity and tropical flavors and a supple tartness that accentuates the dark and bitter chocolate flavo
[index] [6210] [5225] [3404] [6139] [6452] [9921] [7603] [7536] [9243] [9562]
Copyright © 2024 m.hotbett.shop