Mini Review: Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream


I feel like every time I couldn't do anything with my thesis, I go on my blog and write another stuff, very productive huh? So, yeah here I am writing another review. This time I'm gonna share my experience with Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream. I encountered this product when I watched kindacool's vlog and she was using this cream. I bought it online from shopee and the price was about IDR 375,000 for 70mL (definitely not cheap but not that expensive either) and I have been using this for more than a month. 

My first impression of this cream is that this cream feels very light on the skin but occlusive, the occlusive-ness is coming from C13-16 isoparaffin. Looking at the ingredients and cosdna analysis, this cream is pretty clean and it contains my favorite ingredients such as niacinamide, panthenol, and centella asiatica which are very good for fighting acne and blemish scars. 


But the question is...does it work on my skin?? well, before using this cream I was using Simple Hydrating Cream and my skin had a bad reaction from that product; I had breakouts on my chin and cheek. Then I started using Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing and my skin was starting to get better. It removes the bumps on my chin and acne on my cheek. Not only help with the breakout, but my skin also feels super soft and moist even during Ramadhan. It also helps me clear the acne scars but it might have something to do with other products that I've been using (there's an endogeneity here lol). 

Now, let's weigh down the pros and cons of this product.

Pros:
  • Skin loving ingredients
  • Helps with dryness
  • Clean out breakout/acne
Cons:
  • Quite expensive
  • Hard to find in Indonesia
The product is also in a glass jar package which is a plus for me because I don't like tube package, but for other people, the jar package is a minus because it could be unhygienic. Overall, I highly recommend this for people who have acne-prone and dry skin. I would give this 4.5 out of 5 and definitely would repurchase. 




Mini Review: Granhand Korean Niche Perfume


Describing scent is probably really hard for me even though I claim myself as a perfume enthusiast. However, I'm going out of my comfort zone and try to describe it anyway. Granhand is a niche perfume brand based in Korea. I came across this brand from Joan Kim, a Korean-American Youtuber based in Seoul. When I visited Seoul for the first time in 2016, I bought two of their perfumes. I added another two through my friend and when I visited Seoul again in 2018. Now, I have four of their multi-perfumes. Before I explained the details of its scents, the reason why I like Granhand is their cute packaging, it has such a beautiful traditional Korean touch and it will be a great gift/souvenir for your loved ones or yourself. Granhand now has four branches in Seoul. I have visited three of their branches (yes, I really like this brand lol). My favorite location the one near Gyeongbokgung, the place is really pretty (see here). 

Finn Juhl

The very first scent that I bought from Granhand is Finn Juhl. I originally intended to gift this for my dad but he didn't really like it so I took it back lol. The scent is quite on the masculine side as it has a strong woody and spicy scent. The longevity of this scent is quite impressive, even after I wash my clothes, the smell is still there. I sometimes spray this on my pillow because it strangely makes me sleep better. Sadly, they have discontinues this scent.

Top notes: Fig leaf, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Cinnamon, Thyme, Geranium
Base notes: Woody notes, Fig, Eucalyptus

Marine Vacth / Marine Orchid

The scent of Marine Vacth instantly reminds me of the sea. It's very clean, refreshing, and warm. If you know me in real life, you know that this is my kind of fragrance that I like the most. I usually spray it into a diffuser so my room can smell like the sea. Marine Vatch is a fresh mix of citrusy, floral, and musky scent. As you can see from the photo above, I almost ran out of this perfume :(. I'm hoping that Grandhand would be able to ship internationally because I desperately need this.

Top notes: Mandarin, Pear, Lemon
Middle notes: Rose, Lily of the Valley, Orchid
Base: Musk, Toffee, Patchouly

Lucy Diamond

Maybe...the perfumer was inspired by The Beatles' Lucy in the Sky with Diamond but, when I sprayed this, I feel like I was in a floral garden with a lot of jasmine and gardenia. The smell of jasmine is quite strong but not overpowering. The mix of vanilla and musk makes it warm and pleasant. I'm seriously in love with this scent, I bought their fragrance sachet.

Top notes: Peach, Plum, Apricot
Middle notes: Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Gardenia
Base: Vanilla, Musk


Violette

Though it's not pictured because I left it at the office, Violette is hands down my favorite scents from Granhand. It smells like fresh linen with a hint of flowers. I bought it when I visited Seoul in 2018 and used it right away. Since smells trigger strong memories, the warm musky scent of Violette will always remind me of autumn in Seoul.

Top notes: Tea leaf, Rosemary
Middle notes: Lilac(Syninga vulgaris L), Apple blossom
Base: Musk, Sandalwood

Last note, if you're planning to visit Seoul shortly, I strongly recommend you to go and visit one of Granhand's stores. Not only smells good and authentic, but the interior design of each store is also pleasing to the eyes.






Current Skincare Routine (Klavuu, Krave Beauty, Simple and More)


It's been a while since my last update on my skincare routine and I am back with a new one. I'm currently having a major writer block to write my thesis and here I am on my blog writing a new post lol. 

Moving on, I have a new routine consists of new products that work pretty well on my skin. It's a cheaper alternative to my previous one (or is it??????). Korean skincare brand still dominating my routine because Korean is the leading in this field with its modern formulation and they can keep up with the trend that not only 'cute' but works on the skin. 


Morning Routine

I don't wash my face with a facial wash in the morning, instead, I am using a toner to clean my face. My morning routine is basically cleansing with toner - essence - serum - moisturizer - sunscreen
I am currently using Simple Soothing Facial Toner. For a 'cleansing' toner it didn't take away dead skin cells pretty well. So, at the moment I switch up between this and Safi White Expert Skin Refiner (not pictured). The toner itself is quite hydrating and it doesn't contain simple alcohol. Overall, for such a cheap price, it's good but I will not repurchase. 
The next step is an essence from a Korean brand Klavuu Sea Silt Repair Essence. I like the gel-like texture and how Klavuu formulates this essence with a lot of antioxidants and ingredients that good for your skin such as Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, Ceramide NP, Sea Silt, Panthenol, and Hyaluronic Acid. The price is quite expensive but reasonable as the size is also quite big for an essence. I usually use Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum (I will write another post on the Green Tea Seed line). 
The serum I'm using is Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief. The smell of tamanu oil is very strong in this serum. Live up to its name, it's a serum that you need when your skin needs extra TLC. It contains Ceramide, Tamanu Oil, Rosehip Oil, Niacinamide, Squalane, and other skin-loving ingredients. I have been using this for more than 4 months and I can say that it works on my skin. Again, the price for this is quite high but it's really good for my skin. Definitely will repurchase. 
Last but not least, moisturizer. I am quite loyal to Innisfree as I am a VIP member (weird flex lol) and the green tea seed line is my favorite. The Innisfree Green Tea Seed Cream is not my favorite moisturizer from Innisfree but I have no complaint about it. It moisturizes my skin without any breakouts. 
Even though it is not pictured, I am using L'oreal UV Perfect Matte and Fresh SPF50 PA++++. It's good and cheap. Don't forget to use sunscreen!


Night Routine

My nighttime routine is not much different than my morning one, however, I add a double-cleansing routine because double-cleansing is a must. Say it with me "I have to double-cleanse every day". I either double-cleanse with an oil cleanser or micellar water. The nighttime routine is consists of double-cleanse - chemical exfoliant - essence - serum - moisturizer.
My first cleanser is Senka All Clear Oil or Nivea Micellar Water (not pictured). The Senka All Clear Oil doesn't emulsify like other cleansing oil. It turns into milky blue when I rinse it with water and it doesn't give the most satisfying feeling, but I can work with that. The price is quite cheap and I got the best deal on sociolla when I purchased it.
Then, I follow up with a water-based cleanser Simple Micellar Gel Wash. What I like the most about this is that this product does not have SLS. It doesn't really lather like other facial wash but it does cleanse my face like how a cleanser supposed to do. It's quite hydrating as it doesn't dry up my skin. For such a cheap price, I would recommend this product.
I will skip the essence as I already write the mini-review above. The serum that I am currently using is Dr. Ceuracle (previously known as LeeGeeHam) Royal Vita Propolis 33 Ampoule. The star ingredients in this ampoule are Propolis, Panthenol, and Niacinamide. Yes, Niacinamide and Panthenol are my favorite ingredients. Why? because it helps with sebum production and hydration. This product is amaaaziiiing, it makes my skin glow and evens up my skin tones. I bought the 15ml and it lasts for months. My last step is moisturizer. I usually add an extra step which is a sleeping pack, but these days, I am just too lazy lol.

On the weekend, I usually add a sheet mask as a reward to myself. Mediheal is one of my favorite brands. Their sheet quality is different than the other and they don't put too much essence. But, as I am staying at home during this pandemic, I skip this step hahaha.

Moreover, I will try to post more on this blog. For those of you who are reading this blog, thank you so much. I know not many people are reading blog these days. I still prefer to write on my blog rather than on Instagram or Twitter because it's easier for me to write long sentences here.

Please stay healthy and fight this pandemic together. Bye!



Solo Travel: Bangkok [hostels, cute stores and cafes recommendation]



Finally, in my 27 years of existence in this world (I'm going to be 28 tomorrow! edit: this post was written in August but I'm too lazy to post it lol)); I got a chance to be able to travel solo~