Spotlight | The Face Shop White Ginseng Collagen Pearl Capsule Cream.

A few months back, I joined the Seoul Summer Sale contest hosted by Visit Seoul, with hopes of winning either the Super Junior autographed CD or the Shinsegae Duty Free gift card worth 100000 won (around $85 or Php 4000). I did win the contest, but my prize was neither the CD nor the gift card.

My prize from the Visit Seoul Summer Sale contest!

Instead, I received the White Ginseng Collagen Pearl Capsule Cream from The Face Shop. Not bad, I told myself, considering how much I love Korean cosmetics, and that I get to try a new product without having to spend anything. Plus this prize is valued at 52000 won (around Php 2200 or $45) upon checking it at Emart.

Inside the box.

Product description and list of ingredients at the back of the box.

The White Ginseng Collagen Pearl Capsule Cream is a hydrating cream made with natural pearl extracts, ginseng root extract, and hydrolyzed collagen. Together these three ingredients create a healthy, radiant complexion and help achieve glowing, younger-looking skin.

The bottle.

Very elegant-looking.

The cream comes in a simple yet elegant-looking (albeit bulky) glass jar. It's housed in a gold paper box with a plastic tray inside to keep the jar in place. The packaging alone is very luxurious, which makes the product look a lot more expensive than it really is.

The cap and the bottle itself have the same size, lol.

Comes with a plastic seal.

As for the product itself, it has a gel-cream texture that's light as air and sink immediately into the skin. The cream is very hydrating - perfect for this time of year when the cold winds and the sudden change in temperature can make the skin extremely dry and flaky.

Inside the bottle.

This product can be used in two ways - as a regular moisturizer, or as a booster to your makeup ritual.

Pearl capsules inside.

To use as a regular moisturizer, simply scoop out the cream with the spatula provided, along with 3 or 4 pearl capsules. Place the cream and the capsules on your palm, cup your palm, then crush the capsules with the spatula or with your clean fingers. Dab an even amount on your forehead and your cheeks, then spread the product evenly on your face. The product can be used as a cream on its own, or you can mix it with any moisturizer or cream that you're currently using.

Scoop them with the spatula provided.

To use as a booster to your makeup ritual, you can mix in 1-2 pearls with your foundation to achieve dewy, glowing skin. The pearls are quite shimmery when crushed, and glisten like silver dust when used on its own.

The pearl capsules up close. 

Hence, I prefer using this layered on top of my Moistfull Collagen Emulsion during the day, and mixed with my Moistfull Collagen Cream at night. I've been using this product for more than two weeks now and the experience has been great so far. I usually tweak my skincare routine during the colder months (like, now), and I love the extra hydration that this product provides. The uneven patches on my skin have also become less noticeable, which I attribute to this cream's niacinamide content.

A few seconds after applying the cream.

Niacinamide, a non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and relatively safe skin ingredient, helps to lighten areas of pigmentation and age spots. It also reduces blotchiness and evens out skin tone while improving skin texture.

After two weeks of use.

All in all, this product is a great addition to my usual skincare routine. I reckon it will take me awhile to finish this jar, but I plan to buy another jar when I go back to Korea next month. I hope there will be lots of sale events by then! It's almost Christmas after all! :)

Sneak Peek | Etude House x Disney Dumbo Collection.

My favorite skincare line from Etude House, the Moistfull Collagen, just went through a huge change. And by huge, I mean 'Dumbo' huge.

Etude House x Dumbo collection.

Dumbo, the young circus elephant with comically large ears, is the star of the most recent collaboration project between Etude House and Disney. Released earlier this month, the Etude House x Disney Dumbo Collection features four best-selling items from the Moistfull Collagen line in an all-new 'Dumbo-fied' packaging.

Photo credit: Etude House.

Even the size itself of the Moistfull Collagen Cream has been 'Dumbo-fied' as it now comes in a bigger, 110 mL tub. (Regular size comes in 75 mL jar.)

Moistfull Collagen Cream Jumbo, 15980 won.

The formulation and the price are still the same. You just get more creamy collagen goodness with a cute packaging to boot. :)

Photo credit: Etude House.

Also included in the collection are the following Moistfull Collagen favorites.

Moistfull Collage Essence, 15980 won.

Moistfull Collagen Stick, 9400 won.

Moistfull Collagen Mask Sheet, 1880 won.

This limited edition collection is now available at Etude House stores across South Korea and at the Etude House global website.

Spotlight | Etude House Moistfull Collagen Line.

When my husband learned about my obsession with all things collagen, he got me an all-too-perfect gift a few months back - the Moistfull Collagen Line from Etude House. And not just one box set, but two!

Collagen overload! :)

The bigger box set contains full-size bottles (180 mL) and sample size bottles (25 mL) of the Moistfull Collagen Freshener, Emulsion, Cream, and Sleeping Mask. The smaller box set contains travel size bottles (50 mL) of the Freshener and Emulsion, and a full-size tub (75 mL) of the Cream. Both boxes contain 20 mL tubes of the Oh Happy Day Collagen Hand Cream.

I reckon the smaller gift box is free, because you know how generous these Korean cosmetics brands are with freebies and samples, especially if you're buying them from shops at Myeongdong.

Moistfull Collagen Skin Care Gift Box.

Now here's a rundown of the products. 

Moistfull Collagen Facial Freshener.

The Moistfull Collagen Facial Freshener is a mild, alcohol-free toner that gently removes makeup residue, oil, and grime that cleanser may leave behind. You apply this after cleansing, massaging onto your face from center out.

Gel-like texture.

Made with baobab tree extract and marine collagen, this toner keeps the skin hydrated without the tight, uncomfortable feel. It has a unique, gel-like texture that absorbs fast and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It doesn't sting, and its light, fresh scent is oh-so-wonderful.

Moistfull Collagen Emulsion.

A light and hydrating moisturizer, the Moistfull Collagen Emulsion gives the skin penetrating moisture to make it look firm and healthy. This product also increases skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Milky texture.

The emulsion has a thin, milky texture which absorbs moderately fast on the skin. It's gently moisturizing and does not feel heavy on the skin, which makes it perfect for day time wear - even on hot summer days like today.

Moistfull Collagen Cream.

On the other hand, the Moistfull Collagen Cream is a rich, highly concentrated moisturizer that penetrates deep into the skin to hydrate, firm, and improve its dermal structure.

It comes in a tub, sans the spatula.

Unlike the emulsion, this one has a thicker, gel-like texture. It takes a tad longer to absorb, but goes on smoothly and feels light on the skin. 

Thicker, gel-like texture. 

This is actually my favorite product in the entire line, as it gives my skin that nice, bouncy texture. I usually slather this on at night before I go to bed, and I love how I wake up with super soft and smooth skin the morning after.

Swatched on the skin.

These three products have been part of my skincare regimen for the past eight months, and I love how the Moistfull Collagen line did (and still does) wonders for my skin. I can now actually leave the house bare-faced as my skin looks healthier than ever, complete with that dewy glow. 

Bare-faced. :)

Despite having sensitive skin, I have not had issues with these products since I started using it. Otherwise, I would have not bought the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Moistfull Collagen Cream (it comes in a pink tub) when I went to Korea last December. I paid 15000 won for it, which is around $13 or Php 600 when converted. The set above (as in both boxes) is actually cheaper, as my husband paid only 33000 won (around $28 or Php 1300) for it.

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I did not include the Sleeping Mask in the review, I gave it to a friend as a gift. I'm still pretty much stuck with my all-time favorite sleeping pack, you know, the one from Laneige. :)

Spotlight | Kabaya Collagen Gummy.

There is no end to this obsession with collagen supplements and collagen-infused skincare products. It's been almost a year since this craze of mine started, and I've always been on the look-out for collagen products that work.

Case in point - the Kabaya Collagen Gummy. This product is manufactured by Kabaya Foods Corporation, a popular Japanese confectionery company.

Kabaya Collagen Gummy.

Established in the 1960s, Kabaya became well-known for their candy toys - action figures and model kits that come with candies and chocolates. (Think Kinder Joy, Japanese version.) Kabaya expanded their product line through the years, and now they also manufacture cookies, biscuits, and pretzel sticks.

Kabaya contact information.

Now back to collagen. Kabaya Collagen Gummies are sold in foil pouches that weigh approximately 160 grams each. The gummies are individually-wrapped, and come in three flavors - Grape, Peach, and Lemon.

Grape, Peach, and Lemon flavors.

One pack contains 10000 mg of collagen (approximately 200 mg per gummy) and hyaluronic acid. The gummies are super soft and chewable, and taste really good. They have a nice, fruity scent, too. I take one gummy a day, usually in the morning. One foil pouch is good for one month, since it contains about 30+ gummy pieces.

Kabaya Grape Collagen Gummy.

I've been taking these gummies for about six months now, and so far so good! My husband, who is usually stingy with compliments, would often tease me that my skin looks like it's been filtered in real life, haha! My friends have also noticed how my skin looks smooth and 'stress-free', and how my cheeks seem to be plumper than before. :)

The only downside to this product? It's not available in local groceries or supermarkets. I order mine from OneStephStop, the same online store where I purchased my Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil and rare-flavored Pockys. Steph sells these gummies for Php 220 per bag. Pretty affordable, right? :)

Do you take collagen supplements, too? How was your experience?

Spotlight | Liposome Collagen+C Serum.

There's no end to this addiction to collagen. Especially now that collagen has become part and parcel of my daily skincare routine. The latest addition to my routine is the Liposome Collagen+C Serum from NeoCell.

Liposome Collagen+C Serum.

I received this product a few months back, but I wasn't able to use it right away as I still had a few other skincare products lined up for testing. I finally had the chance to incorporate this product in my daily skincare routine some three weeks ago, after finishing my bottle of Hydra+ H.A. Serum.

Here's a bit of info about the product:

Liposome Collagen+C Serum is a skin defense serum that rejuvenates the skin with a potent topical antioxidant, guarding against sun and wind to minimize dry skin and wrinkles. It contains fat-soluble vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as phospholipids (naturally contain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids) - all in a time-release stable liposome form.

Comes in a 30mL pump bottle.

So what exactly is liposome, you might ask.
Liposomes are microscopic fluid-filled bodies, similar to biological cells. This resemblance to the different layers of the skin barrier allows them to combine well with the cell membranes, bi-layers and acid mantle, which in turn allows the active (skincare) ingredients to penetrate effectively. 

Product description at the back.

The liposome technology is quite evident in this product as the serum sinks into the skin right away without the sticky feel. I use this before going to bed at night, and each morning I'd wake up with silky, smooth skin. In the three weeks that I've used this product, I noticed my skin looks firmer, and the fine lines under my eyes are not as visible as they were.

Plastic pump. Turn to the left to open, right to close. 

The serum is unscented, and comes in a pump bottle. (The bottle is my only gripe about this product, as it is made of glass.) The product has just the right consistency - not too thick, not too runny, non-sticky, and feels light on the skin. One pump is enough to cover the face and neck, so just a little goes a long way.

One pump of the serum.

The Liposome Collagen+Serum sells for $15.47 (around Php 695) on iHerb, which I say is a reasonable price for a product that works. I'm considering repurchasing this product, though I wish their bottles weren't made of glass. It's too risky to have glass containers in my vanity table, especially when I have a curious six-year-old boy at home. And I'm sure most moms know exactly what I mean. :)

Have you tried this product before? What skincare products are you currently using? :)

Spotlight | Etude House Happy Essential Foam Collagen.

Several weeks ago, while swatching lip tints at the Etude House branch in Festival Mall, this pretty pink tube caught my eye. No, actually, it's the word 'collagen' that really caught my eye.

Etude House Happy Essential Foam Collagen.

That I've gone gaga over collagen supplements and anti-aging skin care products is no secret. I've raved one too many times about how collagen did wonders for my skin, and I certainly wouldn't mind ditching my old facial wash for a collagen-infused one. And that I did.

Ingredients are listed in Hangul and English.

Formulated with 40% polyol (glycerin, sorbitol, PEG-32) content to keep skin feeling moist and soft, this moisturizing cleansing foam uses Marine Collagen extract to promote firmer skin and decrease the appearance of wrinkles.

Product description and usage directions at the back.

The Happy Essential Foam comes in a typical squeeze tube, and I believe this 150 mL tube is the only size available for this product - as well as the other variants in the Happy Essential Foam line. The packaging may be simple and straightforward, but still looks 'kawaii' in terms of its design.

Squeeze tube.

Now here's how the product looks like. 

Creamy!

It has a thick and creamy texture, and lathers quite well. That little dot on my finger is more than enough to wash my face and neck.

And foamy, too!

Mildly scented and gentle on the skin, this product leaves the skin soft, smooth, and supple, without the irritation. It's gentle enough for everyday use (I use this twice a day), and safe even for those with sensitive skin. I'm enamored by this product so much that a repurchase is a must! And I will, as soon as I'm halfway-through with this tube! :)

What I love:

- Contains Marine Collagen.

- Creamy texture.

- Lathers quite well, so just a little goes a long way.

- The scent.

- Does a good job of cleansing the skin.

- Leaves the skin soft and smooth.

- Safe for sensitive skin.

- Affordable price. (Php 248/ 150 mL tube)

What you might not like:

- Absolutely none!

Have you tried this product, or any other cleansing foams (Vitamin C, Witch Hazel, Hyaluronic Acid, White Clay) from the Happy Essential Foam line? How was your experience?