Review: [Innisfree] Skinny Microcara Mascara (Regular and Water-Proof)

If you like Korean cosmetics, you must have heard about the Skinny Microcara mascara from Innisfree. The brand introduced two types of microcara, one is waterproof and the other is not.

1. Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Microcara:

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

I LOVE this mascara! The small wand makes it so easy to coat every single lash from the root and to use for under-lashes. This mascara doesn't volumize a lot but does offer definition and length; thus, it is good for everyday use. What I love the most about the mascara though, is that it keeps the curl of my eyelashes so well and for a very long time (a whole day, actually). The only thing that people might not like is that it is hard to be removed.

2. Innisfree Skinny Microcara:

Rating kisses: 

I bought this one after seeing how much I love its waterproof version with the thought this one might be easier to remove. Well, it is, but it doesn't offer all of what the waterproof version does. This one also has a small wand so it still helps the application easier than with a regular mascara. However, it can't hold the curl of my lashes whatsoever! This is the problem I have with almost all mascaras: despite how much my eyelashes are curled with a curler, they are straightened out right at the time of mascara application. The only mascaras that I've found to be able to hold up the curl are the Clinique High Impact Waterproof mascara and the Skinny Waterproof Microcara above. Keep in mind that the regular skinny microcara doesn't work for me because of my thin lashes, but it might work for others since it still gives an easy and smooth application.

Review: [Peripera] Watery Face Pride Up Cushion Pact and [Innisfree] Long-wear BB Cushion in #21 Natural Beige

The post today will be all about BB cushion! After hearing so many raves about this type of product, I bought these cushions from Peripera (a Clio's brand) and Innisfree to try. I heard that using a BB cushion would cut your foundation time in half and that the magic of the air puff included would help creating an even and smooth finish. Well, let's see if what I heard is true.

1. Peripera Water Face Pride Up Cushion Pact SPF 50+/ PA+++ in #2 Vanilla Beige

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

I have to admit that the packaging drew me into buying this cushion, but I did get it particularly because of its moisturizing texture. It was Winter 2014 when I bought this cushion and my skin was super dry. The verdict:

- Ideal for: dry skin, normal skin, and combination skin (fall/winter only).
- Effect: brighten up and even out skin tone, very light-weight, moisturizing.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: like-skin dewy finish.
- Consistency: thin and a bit oily (which I like for the purpose of using it during the cold seasons)
- Scent: floral, but not overwhelming
- Longevity: 3-4 hours.
- Application: Using the puff included, it actually took me longer than my normal liquid-foundation time to achieve an even layer that cover my pores. I kept having to go back and press down as hard as I could to get enough product onto the puff.

2. Innisfree Long-wear BB Cushion SPF 50+/ PA+++ in #21 Natural Beige

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

This product is one of the most popular BB cushions and my first product from this company. Innisfree is known for having natural ingredients and a decent quality for a drugstore brand although its packaging is very simple compared to other Korean brands like Etude House or Skin Food. I bought and tested this Long-wear BB Cushion during the Winter and the result was awful! The texture was creamy but the consistency was super dry and wasn't blendable at all. It looked very patchy on my skin and skipped over my pores, making my pores even more visible. HOWEVER, Innisfree made this product for the Summer and it was supposed to control oil very well; that explains why the consistency was so dry. So I decided to save it for the Summer and test it again before giving my opinion. It is still Spring now but the temperature is hot enough for me to give it another try; the result came out quite different and I like it a lot:

- Ideal for: oily skin, normal skin, combination skin (spring/summer only). Make sure that you moisturize your face well because it is very dry and will emphasize dry spots!
- Effect: brighten up and even out skin tone, also very light-weight. It is pretty good at oil controlling.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: like-skin matte finish; I don't think I even need a powder.
- Scent: floral.
- Consistency: thick, creamy, not dry (surprisingly!!!). I think the temperature affected the consistency.
- Longevity: 4-5 hours.
- Application: I feel that I get more product out of this cushion than the one from Peripera each time I press down. That makes the application a little quicker than the cushion above but I still think using a puff to apply BB cushion requires a little more effort than applying a liquid foundation with a brush.


Final thought:
I prefer the Innisfree Long-wear BB Cushion because it lasts longer and has a little more coverage than the other. I rarely have to touch up during the cold seasons but during late-Spring and Summer, I look like a hot mess if I stay out for a few hours. This product is perfect to bring on-the-go when my foundation starts to melt off around my oily areas. For some reason, I prefer this cushion to any powder when it comes to touch-up; maybe because it blends better with the rest of my foundation.
As a foundation, I found that this Innisfree cushion would work the best on top of a slippery silicon primer such as Smashbox photo finish primer or ELF primers. I use it on top of my ELF Studio Poreless Face Primer and the application (with the puff) is much faster; the product blends so easily and beautifully on skin, leaving a flawless finish!

Neither of these two products is for girls who like medium to full coverage. However, if you want to look like you're not wearing any makeup, BB cushion is the product for you.