ELLA K BEAUTY REVIEW

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal Review

Revive Eye Serum is a lightweight yellowish cream with a subtle herbal scent.  The formula features ginseng root extract (10%), stabilized retinal (0.02%),
and niacinamide.  The silky formula glides easily over the eye area and absorbs to a light, non-greasy finish.  The cream leaves the eye area soft, smooth, and hydrated.  Those new to retinal should limit use to a few times per week until skin adjusts.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ Review

Relief Sun is a creamy yet lightweight sunscreen without added fragrance. 
The formula features chemical sun filters, rice and grain fermented extracts, niacinamide, green tea, and other natural extracts.  The creamy formula glides easily over the skin and absorbs to a sheer satin finish without stickiness or white cast.

Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3% Review

Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée is a clear jelly-like cleanser with no added fragrance.  The formula features mild surfactants, 3% niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate.  The cleanser creates a silky-soft lather that removes makeup and impurities without drying out the skin.  The cleanser rinses off without residue and leaves skin clean and refreshed. 

Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner Review

Madagascar Centella Toning Toner is a clear watery liquid with no added fragrance.  The formula combines centella asiatica extract (84%), niacinamide, and a touch of polyhydroxy acids. The toner dries down without residue and helps to brighten, smooth, and soothe the skin. 

Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream Review

Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream is a yellowish cream with a natural lavender scent.  The formula features 0.05% encapsulated retinaldehyde (retinal), peptides, antioxidants, and natural oils.  The cream spreads easily and absorbs to a hydrating yet non-greasy finish.  The formula softens, refines, and brightens skin without excessive redness and irritation. 

La Roche-Posey Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser Review

Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser is a fragrance-free gel cleanser for normal to oily skin.  The formula is enriched with thermal spring water, niacinamide, and a ceramide.  The cleanser works into a light creamy lather that gently removes makeup, dirt, and oil.  The cleanser rinses off easily and leaves skin clean and comfortable.  

L’Oreal EverPure Bond Strengthening Concentrate Review

Bond Strengthening Concentrate is a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment for damaged and color-treated hair with a pleasant floral-woody fragrance. 
The formula features citric acid and hair conditioning agents to help smooth and repair weak hair.  The treatment should be applied to damp hair for 5-10 minutes prior to shampooing.  The creamy formula works easily into hair and rinses without residue.  The treatment softens hair while adding shine and lightweight hydration. 

L’Oreal EverPure Glossing Conditioner Review

Glossing Conditioner is a creamy hair conditioner with a fruity-floral scent.  The pH balanced formula combines argan oil and a UV filter to add shine and protect hair color.  The conditioner spreads easily through the hair and rinses without residue.  The formula leaves hair silky soft, smooth, and shiny without weighing it down. 

Purito Breeze Water Gel Cream Review

Breeze Water Gel Cream is a hydrating gel-cream with no added fragrance.  The formula combines Eucoolan (K), glyceryl glucoside, squalane, aloe vera, chamomile, allantoin, and other skin conditioners to calm and hydrate the skin. The gel-cream glides easily over the face and absorbs to a non-greasy but slightly tacky finish.  The formula leaves the skin soft, nourished, and comfortable. 

Sothys Eyelid Lifting Serum Review

Eyelid Lifting Serum is a lightweight gel-serum with no added fragrance. 
The formula features persian silk extract, marine extracts, antioxidants, amino acids, and humectants to tighten and hydrate the eyelid.  The serum spreads easily over the eyelid and absorbs to a sheer natural finish.  The serum provides lightweight hydration while creating a firmer appearance over time. 

Sothys Lip Plumping Serum Review

Lip Plumping Serum is a creamy lip serum with no added fragrance. 
The formula features shea butter oil, jojoba oil, gluconolactone, kombucha extract, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and many other lip conditioners.  The serum applies easily and absorbs to a sheer nourishing finish.  The formula instantly hydrates and softens lips, but the plumping effects are miniscule. 

SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream Review

Instant Bright Eye Cream is a lightweight eye cream with no added fragrance.  The formula features caffeine, persian silk extract, grape flower cell extract, phenylethyl resorcinol, marine extracts, and hyaluronic acid to address puffiness, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles.  The cream absorbs to a smooth, primer-like finish, and it is suitable for the entire eye area.  The formula instantly brightens, reduces puffiness, and adds hydration. 

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Review

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a clear hydrating liquid with no added fragrance.  The formula combines 4% betaine salicylate and 2% niacinamide to exfoliate the skin, minimize the look of pores, and reduce sebum production.  The liquid can be applied to the skin using hands or a cotton pad.  The formula absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves it soft and hydrated.  The liquid provides gentle exfoliation without excessive redness or irritation. 

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush (Nearly Neutral) Review

Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush is a sheer yet buildable cream blush with a natural skin-like feel.  The blush glides easily over the skin and settles to a weightless satin finish.  Nearly Neutral is a soft nude pink that gives cheeks a natural flush of color.

First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid Review

Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is a milky serum-gel with no added fragrance.  The formula features sodium hyaluronate, squalene, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol, and soothing plant extracts.  The serum spreads easily over the face and absorbs to a light yet hydrating finish.  The formula keeps skin soft and hydrated throughout the day. 

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Healthy Hair Perfector Review

Healthy Hair Perfector is a lightweight leave-in treatment with a warm woody scent.  The silicone-free formula includes sunflower seed oil, amaranth oil, amino acids, and soy protein to nourish and repair hair.  The silky cream distributes easily through the hair, and it can be used on wet or dry hair. 
The formula adds hydration, reduces frizz, and enhances definition, but applying too much can leave hair looking dull.     

SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF 50 Review

Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence is a hydrating sunscreen lotion with no added fragrance.  The formula combines chemical sun filters, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, green tea, vanilla fruit extract, and centella asiatica. 
The sunscreen feels slightly greasy during application, but it absorbs to a lightweight hydrating finish without any white residue.   

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Serum Chroma Thermique Review

Serum Chroma Thermique is a milky serum with a woody-floral scent. 
The formula includes lactic acid, tartaric acid, arginine, and centella asiatica to soften and condition hair.  The serum can be applied to clean damp hair prior to heat or air-drying.  The serum glides easily through the hair, leaving it smooth and detangled.  The formula protects hair from heat styling while adding a touch of hydration and volume. 

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Serum Review

Calming Moisture Serum is a lightweight water-based serum with no added fragrance.  The formula combines soothing plant extracts, humectants, peptides, several forms of hyaluronic acid, and a ceramide.  The formula spreads easily over the skin and absorbs to a non-sticky natural finish. 
The formula leaves skin soft, hydrated, and comfortable. 

Pyunkang Yul ATO Moisturizing Soothing Gel Lotion Review

ATO Moisturizing Soothing Gel Lotion is a refreshing gel-lotion with a faint floral scent.  The formula features extracts of honeysuckle, artemisia, and green tea, hyaluronic acid, and a ceramide.  The gel-lotion glides easily over the skin and absorbs without stickiness or residue.  The formula helps to soothe and hydrate, and it can be applied to face and body. 

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++ Review

Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum is a lightweight sunscreen lotion without a noticeable scent.  The formula combines chemical sun filters, niacinamide, centella asiatica extract, plant extracts, and hyaluronic acid.  The silky lotion spreads easily and settles to a non-greasy hydrating finish without a white cast.  The formula leaves skin comfortable and well protected from the sun. 

Rovectin Clean Lotus Water Calming Toner Review

Lotus Water Calming Toner is a watery yet hydrating toner with no added fragrance.  The formula includes lotus flower extract, humectants, and soothing natural extracts.  The toner applies easily with a cotton pad and absorbs quickly.  The formula leaves the skin refreshed and comfortable while adding
a veil of hydration.

First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Review

10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a lightweight watery serum without added fragrance.  The formula features 10% vitamin C, squalane, vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, and soothing plant extracts.  The serum glides effortlessly over the skin and absorbs to a sheer non-sticky finish.  The formula softens and lightly hydrates while vitamin C brightens skin over time.

Aprilskin Artemisia Squalane Hydra Gel Cream Review

Artemisia Squalane Hydra Gel Cream is a refreshing gel-cream with no added fragrance.  The formula includes artemisia extract, squalane, niacinamide, several types of hyaluronic acid, plant extracts, and other skin conditioners.  The gel-cream spreads easily over the skin and absorbs to a light yet hydrating finish.  The formula leaves skin soft and nourished without a heavy feel. 

Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour Fondamentale Review

Crème de Jour is a lightweight leave-in cream for wavy, curly hair.  The formula is enriched with sunflower seed oil, manuka honey, and a ceramide. 
The silky cream works easily into the hair and dries without stickiness or residue.  The formula leaves hair soft, shiny, and hydrated without adding weight.  This product has a floral-vanilla fragrance. 

Kérastase Specifique Masque Réhydratant Review

Masque Réhydratant is a pale green gel-cream hair mask with a fresh floral scent.  The formula features a ceramide and amino acid to strengthen and condition hair.  The mask glides easily through the hair and rinses without residue.  The mask leaves hair soft and lightly hydrated without weighing it down. 

Philip B Straightening Baume Review

Straightening Baume is a lightweight blow dry gel for all hair types. 
The water-based formula features natural extracts that help straighten and smooth hair.  The gel should be applied to clean damp hair prior to blow drying.  The formula leaves hair soft, smooth, and bouncy without stickiness and residue.  This product has no added fragrance. 

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Review

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream is a weekly clarifying gel-cream shampoo with a light citrus scent.  The shampoo is formulated to remove product build up, mineral deposits, and pollution from hair while adding shine with fruit acids.  The formula lathers well, cleanses the hair thoroughly, and rinses without residue.  The shampoo leaves hair soft, shiny, and lightweight.   

B. Lab Matcha Hydrating Facial Toner Review

Matcha Hydrating Facial Toner is a watery yet hydrating toner without added fragrance.  The formula features 47.5% green tea water, panthenol, and Chelidonium majus extract to reduce oiliness.  The toner absorbs easily into the skin and leaves it feeling clean, soft, and hydrated. 

Isntree Spot Saver Mugwort Ampoule Review

Spot Saver Mugwort Ampoule is a lightweight serum with a subtle botanical scent.  The formula includes 85% mugwort extract, licorice root extract, calendula flower extract, humectants, and a ceramide.  The serum applies easily and absorbs to a natural hydrating finish.  Mugwort helps promote a healthy, balanced complexion with regular use.

Pevonia De-Aging Saltmousse Papaya-Pineapple Review

De-Aging Saltmousse Papaya-Pineapple is a foaming sea salt body scrub with a clean scent.  The formula features sea salt, mild cleansing agents, beta-carotene, and extracts of pineapple and papaya.  The body scrub creates a light creamy lather as the salt gently exfoliates the skin. 
The formula rinses clean and leaves skin clean and smooth. 

Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 15% Review

Vitamin C Lotion 15% is a silky hydrating lotion without added fragrance. 
The formula features 15% THD Ascorbate, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10. 
THD Ascorbate is a stable form of vitamin C that can help with lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.  The lotion glides easily over the skin and absorbs to a lightweight yet nourishing finish.  The formula leaves skin smoother, brighter, and more even-toned with regular use.

R+Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion Review

Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion is a lightweight gel-lotion for fine to medium hair.  The formula features panthenol, sunflower seed extract, watermelon seed extract, hyaluronic acid, and other conditioning ingredients.  The lotion can be applied to wet hair before heat-styling or air-drying, or on dry hair to moisturize ends.  The lotion glides easily through the hair and absorbs without residue.  The formula leaves hair soft, smooth, and hydrated without weighing it down.  This product has a fruity-aquatic fragrance with hints of spice. 

Aprilskin Artemisia Rice Essence Toner Review

Artemisia Rice Essence Toner is a hydrating liquid toner with a faint botanical scent.  The formula combines artemisia and rice bran water, four types of hyaluronic acid, and a few natural extracts.  The toner applies easily with a cotton pad and dries down without residue.  The formula leaves skin refreshed, comfortable, and hydrated. 

Ren Pro-Vitamin Conditioner Review

Pro-Vitamin Conditioner is a creamy yet lightweight hair conditioner scented with essential oils.  The formula is enriched with jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and panthenol.  The conditioner works easily into the hair and rinses without residue.  The formula leaves hair soft and hydrated without weighing it down.

Sothys Silhouette Exfoliant Review

Silhouette Exfoliant is a physical body scrub with a green-citrusy scent. 
The formula gently exfoliates with sugar and perlite particles suspended in a thick gel base.  The exfoliant applies easily to wet skin and rinses clean. 
The formula leaves skin smooth, soft, and comfortable. 

Phyto Phytovolume Jelly Mask Review

Phytovolume Jelly Mask is an amber-colored gel mask with a fresh floral scent.  The lightweight formula features extracts of yarrow, tormentil, and bamboo to enhance volume and strengthen hair.  The jelly mask spreads easily through the hair and rinses without residue.  The formula leaves hair lightly hydrated and full of body, but a bit tangled. 

Klairs Daily Skin Softening Water Review

Daily Skin Softening Water is a gentle water-like toner with no added fragrance.  The formula combines cucumber and apple fruit water, sugarcane extract, panthenol, and a small amount of citric acid.  The toner leaves skin soft, refreshed, and lightly hydrated. 

iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist Review

Copper Firming Mist is a refreshing watery mist with a subtle orange blossom aroma.  The formula features copper PCA, resveratrol, and cola nut extract to firm and protect skin from oxidative stress.  The mist can be sprayed directly onto the face and neck or applied with a cotton round.  The formula absorbs without residue or stickiness and adds a touch of hydration. 

Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Deep-Conditioning Mask Review

Color Fanatic Mask is a creamy hair mask enriched with camelina and olive oil.  The mask distributes easily through the hair and rinses without residue.  The formula leaves hair silky soft and hydrated without adding weight.  This product features a warm woody-rose fragrance. 

EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner Review

Skin Recovery Essence Toner is a lightweight liquid with a natural pale blue tint.  The fragrance-free formula combines amino acids and malachite extract to help hydrate, restore, and detox skin.  The toner applies easily with a cotton pad and absorbs to a weightless finish.  The toner leaves skin clean and refreshed while adding a touch of hydration.   

Nars Orgasm Lip Mask (Limited Edition) Review

Orgasm Lip Mask is a thick nourishing balm with a faint sweet scent. 
The formula features echium and sunflower oils, and balloon vine extract.  The lip mask instantly softens and hydrates while adding subtle shimmer.  The formula leaves lips with a lasting buttery finish that’s a bit tacky. 

Isntree Aloe Soothing Gel Review

Aloe Soothing Gel is a clear watery gel with no added fragrance.  The formula features aloe leaf juice, witch hazel, centella asiatica, green tea, licorice, and other natural extracts.  The gel spreads easily over the skin and absorbs without stickiness or residue.  The formula leaves skin feeling refreshed, comfortable, and lightly hydrated. 

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum Review

T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a clear gel-serum without added fragrance.  The formula features a 10% AHA blend of glycolic, lactic acid, tartaric acid, 1% BHA (salicylic acid), and the extracts of raspberry, prickly pear, green tea, and horse chestnut.  The serum glides easily over the skin and absorbs to a lightweight, slightly sticky finish.  The exfoliating acids smooth and resurface skin’s texture and impart a healthy glow.  Sensitive skin types may need to limit use to a few times a week to avoid irritation.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hair Treatment Review

Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Hair Treatment is a clear water-based hair serum with no added fragrance.  The formula offers weightless hydration with hyaluronic acid, betaine, and panthenol.  The serum applies easily to wet or dry hair and absorbs without residue or stickiness.  The serum leaves hair lightly conditioned, less frizzy, and voluminous. 

Ren Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash Review

Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash is a lightweight jelly-like cleanser with a subtle citrus aroma.  The body wash creates a silky soft lather that cleanses the skin gently yet thoroughly.  The body wash rinses off clean and leaves skin feeling refreshed, soft, and comfortable. 

Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner Review

The Leave-In Conditioner is a silky gel-cream for all hair types. 
The conditioner features meadowfoam seed oil and tsubaki seed oil, and it has a fresh citrusy scent.  The conditioner spreads easily through damp hair and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated.  The formula does not weigh hair down or leave heavy residue. 

Youth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum Review

Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum is a silky lightweight gel-serum. 
The fragrance-free formula features prickly pear cactus extract, peptides, four types of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and other skin conditioners.  The serum glides easily over the skin and absorbs to a sheer non-sticky finish.  The formula leaves skin soft and lightly hydrated

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Stretch & Strengthen Mascara Review

Exhibitionist Stretch & Strengthen Mascara creates long and fanned out lashes.  The mascara is enriched with peptides, biotin, and panthenol to strengthen and condition lashes.  The mascara’s wet formula requires careful application to avoid clumping; however, just one swipe builds impressive length and nice volume. 
The formula stays on all day without flaking.

Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Treatment Review

Acidic Perfecting Concentrate is a silky leave-in hair treatment for damaged hair.  The treatment features citric acid and a conditioning complex to strengthen and protect hair.  The gel-cream formula glides easily through damp hair; easing tangles and improving manageability without heavy residue. 
The concentrate leaves hair soft, smooth, and voluminous, but the formula is not very hydrating on its own.  This product has a fruity-citrus fragrance.