Pure Smile Point Pads (Japanese Skincare Review)

Another first impression/quick review!

Edit:
***
After looking back at this product, it didn't do much. It dried up easily, and just made your skin (that it was applied on) shiny and have a layer of product on top. The product didn't really absorb, and once you washed it off, the skin returned to how it was before the point pads. It's likely that I was just imagining my smile lines disappearing. 

***

Pure Smile's Point Pads (orange flavor)

There should be 10 sheets (orange 'slices'), and I got them for $1.50!

If you saw my iMomoko face mask haul, I hoped for these to smell like oranges. They sure do! Except not real oranges; they smell artificial.

I am using these right now as I type this, and what I noticed is that these sheets are very sturdy. I want to put them on my smile lines around my mouth, so I want to cut/rip them in half to fit exactly where I want them. But the material is so strong that you can't even rip them! I did use scissors, and they work just fine.

There isn't any/barely any essence in the packet, and each sheet is a little bit slimy. You can rub the excess serum that got onto your hands to your face, but there really isn't that much. So the mask is dry enough to stick on your face without it sliding or moving around.

It's difficult to not move my mouth, but the sheet is staying on pretty well. It may puff off your skin if you move too much, but you can always just push it back flat. The sheet is also thick enough that it doesn't seem to have any creases.

So far, there is a bit of a tingling sensation a few minutes in. After a few more, I do not feel anything. 

The sheets are completely dry now, but they aren't falling off just yet. I took them off and rubbed whatever is left on the rest of my face. The area with the patch feels quite plump and has this oily feeling. It's not like liquid oil, but leaves that thick, oily feeling behind. The patches also feel that way too. The skin also looks a little bit whiter than the rest of my face; you can sort of see the shape of the orange patch. (It did go away after a few minutes though)

Since there might be a little bit of whatever goodness in these sheets, I decided to stick them on my forehead and put some water on them to help them stick. They are indeed a strong material; even when they're dry, I can't even rip them or even stretch them to the point of ripping.

For my smile lines, I feel like over time, they will go away! I remember before putting these on that the lines were a bit deep; now, they look less prominent! 

Overall:

Price: $1.50 for 10 patches
Appearance: cute!
Smell: artificial oranges; it may not even be oranges, but smells good!
Repurchase?: yes!

I would give these orange point pads a score of 5/5! These are super cute; they smell nice (or they're not overwhelming). They may not have a lot of serum, but they do give a boost to whatever specific parts of your face that you need and may help with wrinkles over time. They are also a good price!

These patches are super cute! I don't think anyone would sponsor to give these away because people would just buy them anyway! Like me!

AliExpress Rewards (Rant)

They may have came out with this a few days ago, I don't know. But I did discover it today, and I have read all of the information about it already (there's not that much to read).

AliExpress Rewards

It uses a point system that is apparently a point per $1. I added up all of my purchases, and nope, not even close. But it does also include 1 point for each feedback you give, and 5 points for the days that you make/made purchases. You do not get rewarded points if your purchase is less than $2, however. 

But honestly, AliExpress is just trying to make you buy more to get those points and some sort of "reward" that is actually nothing. They call it rewards to get your hopes up and make you feel good about buying something; it gives you a goal.

So there are 5 levels to this "rewards" system: A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Of course, the more points you have, the higher level you will be in. I won't go into detail on what each "reward" level does. 

Because this entire thing is useless. 

No, I am not sponsored by AliExpress. I would like to be, but I do not think they will after they see this post. 

I would give this AliExpress Rewards system a score of 0/10. How about they actually give coupons for a change. 

Update: I know they also have a "points" system, but it's entirely useless too because it's impossible to get points unless you have a huge network of people that are willing to click on the links and actually buy the stuff you recommend them. And even if you get a few points, it won't actually be worth anything until you get 500 points, which then you can trade for a coupon $5 off a purchase of $6. 

At least they're not just spending all of their time of these pointless things. They are definitely making the website much more user friendly and presentable. 

Update 2:

Looking back at this "rewards" program, I think it says quite a bit about how AliExpress views itself. 

By the way, the website is definitely much better! It looks sleeker, and the "orders" page makes it less likely for people to accidentally "accept" their order before they even get a chance to look at whatever they bought.

For those of you that are actually wondering, I will list out the "rewards" you get from AliExpress Rewards.

For all members

• Doesn't matter how many points you have

• Price cut notifications: you will get a notification or email if something in your wishlist or shopping cart goes on sale or has a discount.

Level A0

• when you have 0 points

• get nothing, except for the price cut notifications

Level A1

• when you have 1 point

• still get nothing, but with price cut notifications

Level A2

• when you have 100 points

• nothing, still

Level A3

• when you have 500 points

• Fast Refunds -- get your returned item money back, fast

• you do need to open a dispute with the seller, and they need to approve of it first

• then after you ship out your item and input the tracking number into the dispute page, AliExpress will put your refund into your bank account, right away

• get Fast Refunds up to $25

• meaning if your item(s) was more than $25, it might take a few days to get your refund

Level A4

• when you have 2000 points

• Fast Refunds -- up to $100

• Fast-Track Claims

• when a dispute isn't going well, you escalate it

• level A4 members get to use Fast-Track Claims, where someone on the Customer Service team will work on the issue with you, speeding up the claim process by 5 days

As you can see, these "rewards" aren't exactly rewarding. The purpose is to try to make it "easier" for you to shop on AliExpress with all sellers, without worrying about not getting your money back. 

But having these rewards, at least to me, have the opposite effect. 

First off, you need to buy a LOT just to even get those points.

Second, is it really necessary to include this, when Fast Refunds and Fast-Track Claims should be something that is already included under the Buyer Protection? Or I thought they were. Guess not.

Sorry for making this post longer than it already was.

Point is: AliExpress Rewards is useless. Just read the reviews to make sure you are getting what you see and be sure that the seller you're buying from is reliable. 

Update: I see that they added a "More Rewards Coming Soon" block under the Rewards page. I'm not sure how long that has been there, but AliExpress should up their game some more. I've noticed them shutting down some stores (I think) and trying to only keep stores with very good feedback, but the quality of items are still meh. I've honestly haven't been shopping on there as much; I much rather pay more for the quality items I have available than save a few dollars to get something that breaks within a few months (I've been there, it's not worth it at all). 

I've been wanting to put long-term AliExpress reviews up, so stay tuned. 

Japan Gals Natural Rose Mask (Japanese Skincare Review)

A first impression/review of this mask!

Because I had no previous knowledge of this brand or particular mask "flavor," I bought it and decided to test it out. There were quite a few things I was able to note!

This mask is huge, but that just makes it suitable for all face sizes and shapes.

When I put it on, my entire face immediately started to have this tingling, burning sensation. The first few seconds was okay, but it just felt like it was getting worse and worse. I really wanted to take the mask off around the 7-8 minute mark, but decided to keep it up for the full 15 minutes. Near the end, maybe past the 11-12 minute mark, parts of my face started to get this cooling sensation. The burning and cooling sensation kind of combined together. The new feeling was pleasant, but I still didn't like the burning part. It stayed the entire time.

I also tried this mask on for maybe around 20-30 minutes. The mask was dry around my upper lip and nose area. The burning sensation either went away around the 20 or 25 minute mark, or I just got used to it. I'm not sure which.

When I took the mask off, I didn't see any changes in my skin tone (the "whiteness"). My skin did feel a little bit smooth, and my acne spots were still red. However, I didn't get any redness or any rashes from the mask, nor was my skin irritated. 

I did notice that my skin barely produced any oil, but my skin was extremely dry. People around me kept commenting about my skin--how dry and "lifeless" it looked.

The only face masks I have used before in sheet form are the My Beauty Diary series, so I am used to single packet, 20 ml of serum, face masks. This one had 7 sheets in 1 package, and I don't even think there are any liquid inside. The masks are all folded up nicely, and they're easy to unfold. The mask is a thick cotton that is already soaked. When I am finished with the mask, I usually like to rub the excess liquid around my face; this cotton feels a bit rough for that, like drug-store make up remover wipes. 

Overall:

Price: $5.49 for 7 sheet masks
Appearance: the packaging is nice and pink! the masks are just white
Smell: it doesn't really smell like roses, but it still smells good
Repurchase?: no

I would give these face masks a score of 1/5. It smells nice enough; it is a good price. I do not mind the large size, but the burning sensation really bothers me. I also do not see any visible results, nor do I feel anything good happening to my skin. I did try these out for 2 days, but I think I'll just stop using them altogether now. 

I forgot to mention that my skin just became really itchy after using the mask. I may be allergic or something; there isn't any redness, just itchiness. It did dry my skin and make it really dull though.

No, I wasn't sponsored. I bought this, and I wish I kind of didn't. The mask just isn't for me. 

iMomoko Sheet Mask Haul + Mini Reviews

I am back with a huge face/sheet mask haul! Though honestly, most of them are from the same brand.

***
Edit: I've added some mini-reviews that contain a quick, overall impression of these products. Not all products may have reviews. 

Also, please follow the instructions when using face masks. When it says 30 minutes, set a timer and use it for 30 minutes. Please do not leave these masks on overnight. I've done it, and I always would have to end up peeling the face mask from my skin (making it super sensitive for a few days). 

***

So a little spiel before I start.

I checked and already knew that my package would arrive today (or yesterday, Wednesday), so I was suuuper looking forward to coming home and getting it. I didn't know if it was registered or not, but since I knew it wouldn't fit in my mail box, surely the mailman would leave those little slips telling you to go pick it up.

I checked my mail box: nothing.

I was super sad. I had high hopes in iMomoko, as the shipping takes only 2 days (not including weekends, and yes, I had to wait the extra 2 days cause I ordered it on Friday). So I was certain that it had arrived. I decided I should check my front door, cause why not. They sometimes leave stuff at my door.

I am sure glad I did. I dragged this huge box into my house and here it is.

My face/sheet mask iMomoko haul.

Tada! Look at this neatly packed package

The first thing I pulled out is...

WellFon Pearl Facial Rejuvenating Whitening Mask (Taiwanese brand)

Review:

***

I got it for $6.25 and there should be 10 sheets inside

I read a review (though not for this particular kind), and they are comparable to the My Beauty Diary masks, another Taiwanese brand! So I have high hopes! And the price is very cheap ($0.65 per mask!)

These masks are supposed to improve your skin's quality by moisturizing and whitening it. 

Next, I took out the LuLuLun Limited Edition Gold Pack (Japanese brand)

It should contain 4 packs of face masks, each containing 7 masks

Moisture Type Mask (light pink) - reduces the production of melanin and calms the skin while giving it a supple appearance

Brightening Facial Mask (silver) - brightens and evens out skin tone

High Moisture Facial Mask (blue) - contains hyaluronic acid that is to hydrate your skin

Rose Facial Mask (bright pink) - gives your skin nutrients derived from botanical sources

The price was $18, which means each pack is only $4.50 Each mask is about $0.64 per mask!

I was really conflicted on which ones to get, for I have not tried this brand before either. Each pack is sold individually on iMomoko, and they are a good price! About $5 or $6 per pack, each containing 7 masks. So instead of weighing out the pros and cons of each (the descriptions on iMomoko don't really help), I decided to get all of them! And if there are 4 packs in here, then I actually got them cheaper!

Pure Smile Pearl Essence Pack (Japanese brand)

I loooove Pure Smile's Choosy Lip mask, so I decided to try out their face masks.

It is $8 with 8 sheets inside. It's not a bad price either.

It helps boost your skin's metabolism and brighten the skin tone. It can also prevent melanin from forming and moisturize your skin.

Pure Smile also had other kinds (Milk, Royal Honey), but I just decided to get this one. 

Japan Gals Natural Rose Mask (Japanese brand)

It is $5.49 for 7 sheets ($0.78 per mask)

iMomoko doesn't say what this mask does, but I assume since it is "rose" that it should calm down your skin from irritation and stuff like that.

I have actually tried this right before I started writing this post! Check out my review!

The beloved Soothing and Moisture Aloe Vera from Nature Republic (Korean brand)

They still had the buy 2 for $12 deal, so I thought I should stock up on some of this.

I just found a few minutes ago that they have a deal of $5 for each (which probably started like 2 days after I bought all of my stuff). I guess I was too impatient to get my masks.

Now here's something really interesting!

Pure Smile Orange Point Pads (Japanese brand)

They are $1.50 each pack, and they contain about 10 sheets. 

They are concentrated masks used to help out specific parts of your skin. With the way they are shaped, it seems they are more suitable for smile lines or maybe some wrinkles on the forehead.

They have 4 other different flavors: strawberry, cucumber, lemon, and kiwi. I really like orange, so I got orange. I hope it smells like it too.

Pure Smile Foot Essence Mask (Japanese brand)

These are $3 per pack, containing 2 masks for your feet (so $1.50 for each foot mask)

It is rich with liquid that will moisturize and whiten the skin, while protecting your toes! 

Whew! That was quite a lot! If you add all of the face masks together, it totals 53! If you only use 1 a week, it will last you an entire year!

But those were all of the brands that I don't know about and want to test out. Here are the ones that I am looking forward to the most. 

I will just post the brand name here since they're all from the same brand: 

My Beauty Diary (Taiwanese brand)

Updated equate Blemish Control Apricot Scrub Review (knock-off brand)

Update: 
***
I ended up buying the St. Ives version, and it is basically the same as the knock-off. The kernels are just as rough, the product is the same consistency and texture. The goal of the product is to harshly exfoliate.

Impressions:
I blame these products for my skin's shininess. This is NOT good. Since I had a bunch of acne on my forehead, I decided to use this to get rid of acne scars (pitted scars). Instead, I am left with a shiny forehead (and nose) that shines even more when it gets oily. 

It has been 2 years since I bought this product, and after 2 bottles of apricot scrubs, I am not going to purchase anything like this again. That includes the Skinfood's scrubs (rice, black sugar, etc.) or any cleansers with microbeads. 

Note: below is completely my opinion and not at all based on any research. 
I attribute these kinds of products to how internally dry my skin is. I found this out during the winter--the skin on my forehead and nose would be peeling. Instead of still producing oil during the winter, my skin just decided to peel, and I had to use intense, thick creams to stop it. Scrubs make your skin soft, because it quickly evens out the skin by removing dead skin cells and exposes the new, baby-soft skin below. The baby-soft skin exposed to the air will quickly dry up and then to protect itself, produce a lot of oil. It is the same with greasy hair. Since you're producing more oil, you would want to wash it more often (which makes everything worse). The skin will have to constantly produce more oil, and of course, the baby-skin will eventually turn into dead skin which can clog up any pores. 

All in all, this product will lead you to want to use more of it, and more often. The more you use it, the more sensitive your skin will become and it could damage your skin-turnover cycle.

Note: again, this is my own opinion about how these products work. I didn't completely make it up, but it's mostly what I think.

***


Disclaimer: I purchased this product and am using it by my own freewill. The results are MY results and may or may not apply to anyone else! I deem my own skin resilient enough to withstand the harshness of this product, but you should do a bit of research on "apricot scrubs" and "apricot kernels" before contemplating on making a purchase for this product. 

The Blemish Control Apricot Scrub by Equate! The original product is on the container under "Compare To"

I don't remember how much this one cost at my local Walmart, but it was about $1-$2 cheaper than the original.

I found out about this product (the original) on a Youtuber's favorites video, but what definitely caught my attention was that it could get rid of blackheads. I knew I could get it at Walmart, but I didn't want to spend too much on something that could potentially not work (and damage my skin). Thus, the knock-off version (which basically is like the original, but cheaper).

The Youtuber did state that this product is VERY abrasive! I agree!

It comes out creamy with tons of things looking like "beads" that are more like shards ready to mar your face. This is abrasive and aggressive, indeed.

I discovered that washing your face with just water is more than enough to clean it, especially if you think you have a huge oil problem. So I use my normal (exfoliating) cleanser probably only once or twice a week, if not less, and my skin doesn't produce as much oil anymore. 

So I was sure my skin needed a good exfoliant. But I mainly used this on my problematic areas (T-zone) where my breakouts.blackheads occur most. I am trying to recover from all of the deep acne scars I have, so a rougher exfoliant is probably what I need (the microbead one doesn't work for me). 

BE VERY GENTLE WHEN SCRUBBING (like, no force or pressure). And remember to wet your face! 

This is extremely harsh on the skin! If you have sensitive or dry skin, do NOT use this product! Also, if you're in your teens or around your 20s (or in any age group), unless you have had lots of problems and done a lot with your skin, then I don't even recommend this product. You would probably be much better off with a regular exfoliant, as apricot kernels are apparently the worse thing ever for healthy skin (look it up).