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Post by Azar
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Hello APJ,
I know that we already have our very own beauty editor here at APJ – AF Beauty – who does a fantastic job of keeping us updated on skin care and make-up. Nevertheless I just had to comment on a few skin care samples that Portia sent my way a few months ago.
Korean skin care is all the rage lately. Ever since Soo Ae, the famous Korean actress, started her own line several years ago I have wanted to give Korean beauty products a try. Unfortunately what I could find locally was limited and quite expensive. Within the last year (or has it been longer?) the products from the Korean skin care company Etude House have been made available to US buyers through the Etude House website and on Amazon. Portia’s samples of Etude House products, picked up on a recent visit to Korea, have turned me into a Korean skincare junkie.
After seeing some recent photos of myself I knew that something had to change! Short of surgery there isn’t too much a woman of my age can do about sagging skin, but I really think that the first of Portia’s samples I tried actually helped to give my skin a smoothing lift.
Moistfull Super Collagen Cream by Etude House
Etude House Moistfull Super Collagen Cream, containing 63% hydrolyzed collagen from seaweed, is a light weight cream with a gel-like consistency that glides onto the skin leaving a moist finish, brightening the complexion, smoothing the look of lines and wrinkles and giving the appearance of a slight lift to drooping skin and to that dreaded dewlap. The effect was immediately noticeable after a single application. I quickly used up the two samples from Portia and ordered this product and several other Etude House items on Amazon. The Super Collagen cream continues to impress. There is also a non-super version of this cream. The formula is a little different. I definitely prefer the Super version. I also find that the Etude House Moistful Super Collagen Eye Concentrate relieves under-eye puffiness and the Pearl Aura Brightening Essence revives dull looking skin.
I don’t imagine I will totally abandon my old favorites by Orlane and Paula’s Choice. They seem to work to minimize enlarged pores and reduce wrinkles. However, the Etude House products are at least as effective for a slightly lower price than Paula’s Choice and are considerably less expensive than anything by Orlane that isn’t past the pull date.
I won’t include any more “before and after” photos here today as I am not equipped to do selfies. You will just have to take my word for it – I think that these products might actually work!
Have you tried the Korean skin care lines? Do you have a favorite brand that you use regularly? Despite my love of these products I often find myself wondering if using any kind of skincare is just a big waste of time and money. What do you think?
Azar xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Ooh oooh, pick me pick me!!
Asian skincare has been my new passion/obsession/hobby since the beginning of this year actually. Still madly in love with (mostly) vintage perfume though… Etude House is mostly known for its cutesy packaging and yes, also affordable and good skincare. However, just as there is a huge rabbit hole for perfume to fall into, so is there one for Asian skincare. There is a large and growing sub on reddit that is entirely devoted to Asian Beauty; check it out sometime! The fun thing is that unlike in western skincare there are loads of really well performing creams and potions that do not cost half your mortgage. What I also like is the huge attention to ingredients, and the science of skincare…Which in a roundabout way answers your last question: it is not a waste of time and money, as long as you know your skin, what it needs, and where you can get what it needs. cheers, Wendy
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Hi Wendy,
Thank you for pointing out the reddit/Asian Beauty sub! So many good stories there and product suggestions too. Also, like you, I am a vintage fragrance fiend. Do you have a favorite Asian Beauty line?
Azar xx
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Sorry for the late reply! I’m quite partial to Skin Watchers, Innisfree, and Cosrx…As with all skin care though “your mileage may vary”, so you might want to venture into samples before you buy full size anything. Come to think of it, not unlike when buying fragrances 😉
enjoy the drop into this particular rabbit hole Azar!
Cheerswendy
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Hey there Azar,
So glad you found some stuff you liked in that pack.
Etude House does the best Liquid Eyeliner I’ve ever used and it comes in excellent colours too.
Portia xx
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Hi Portia,
I recently ordered some Etude house eye brow pencil. They had so many different shades of grey that I was able to find exactly what I needed. I can’t believe it! I will check out their liquid liner too.
Azar xx
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Thanks Portia! I’m desperately seeking a good liquid liner.
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Welcome Poodle. It stays forever and has never cracked, smudged or peeled in over 2 years I’ve been using it. Really good brush too that makes it even easier to apply.
Portia xx
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I really love Korean skincare products. My favorites Purebess snail school gel and Nature Republic sleeping pack.
Asian brands often use natural ingredients and new technologies in their products, besides they have very cute packaging design))
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Hello Annet,
Soo Ae (the actress) has a line of Snail Secretion Filtrate products. I have yet to try them. I did try a US made snail cream and was not really happy with it and am reluctant to give the snail slime thing another go. But – the Purebess snail gel you mention looks much better than the US brand that I tried and it is less expensive too.
Azar xx
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Hi Azar. You know, sometimes I wonder if they do any good or not. I have tried the Perricone products (when I can find them discounted). If I use them religiously I think I see a little improvement. But I’m not very good at following a regime especially at night, so it might just be my fault I don’t see more improvement. I’m going to give these a try though. You can’t beat the price, and hope springs eternal!
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Hi Kandice,
One day I think that the products work and then the next day I seem to be back to my old, saggy self (see recent photos of my dewlap in this post). This morning my skin looks great. Last night I got plenty of sleep (for me), was totally hydrated yesterday and used EL Advanced Night Repair, a little bit of Etude house and Paula’s choice latest eye cream before I went to bed. The sleep was probably the most relevant factor 😉
Azar xx
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Well, I just ordered the cream and eye cream also, plus they have a eyelash serum so much cheaper then any otc’s let alone Latisse. That also had some great comments. The serum will take a month or more to get here to US from Amazon. I usually use Yves Rocher, Avon Anew and Dead Sea Premier eye cream. Find all three brands work very well, and I am satisfied with my regimen. I don’t have wrinkles, just slackness and need uplifting and firming. I’m 70, so if these Korean products work well, the cost for all 3 was about 30$. That’s a bargain anywhere!
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Hi Marion,
I received my orders faster than expected from Amazon. There was one problem, though. One of the vendors sent me the regular Moistfull Collagen cream and not the SUPER Moistfull Collagen cream – there is a difference, not only in the packaging but in the product as well. Also check the ml size. Some of the kits have a very small jar of cream. That being said, these products are certainly worth the price!!
Azar xx
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Thanks, I did order the super one! The packaging was a bit different in photos, but both jars seem close. I’m also gonna try the eye cream with snail stuff, that has 100% satisfaction and is cheap.
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I’ve only started to look at Korean skin care. I have a feeling I’m standing on the edge of another rabbit hole. I do try to stick to a regimen and once I find products that work I tend to be reasonably loyal to them. I do notice a difference if I don’t do my normal skin care so I think it’s money we’ll spent.
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Hey Poodle,
This could be yet another rabbit hole for me as well, but, like you, I have my old tried and true products that will probably still be in the rotation no matter what new wonder cosmetic comes along.
Azar xx
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Since you say this has worked for you, I’ll give it a try. My daughter ordered some Korean snail slime cream and gave me one. It’s a nice moisturizer, nothing more. I have few wrinkles. The problem on my face is gravity. LOL. I use oils on my face – coconut, argon, marula……and Suki Naturals. That’s it. I will check out the eyebrow pencils too. It’s hard to find ones I like. I have a large scar on one eyebrow(from a rough and tumble childhood)and need to fill it in.
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Hi Maya,
One of the great things about these Etude House products is that many of them are available in trial size kits, either directly from Etude House or on Amazon. You can see if they work for you without being stuck with a full size jar of something you don’t really like. Re the eyebrow pencils: Not only do they come in various shades of grey but the tips are automatic, broad, angled and flat with a pointed end, perfect for wide or very precise lined application.
Azar xx
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I have used a few Korean masks which are quite inexpensive and found them ok.
Good sleep vitamins exercise and some moisturiser for skin are all good.
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Hello Anna maria,
I hear that a diet that includes a lot of cold water, fatty fish like salmon is good for the skin. Local, freshly caught wild salmon and steelhead are available this time of year in the PNW. I am allergic to a lot of fish and shellfish but the salmonids are still OK for me. Tomatoes and strawberries (among other veggies and fruits) are also supposed to be helpful.
Azar xx
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I missed this post! I just got new eye cream – too bad I didn’t see this post I would have got some of this. Oh well! I think I’ll order one of these from Amazon anyway. I also need something super strength for my hands. They look icky from hand washing dishes all the time!
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