Skin Food Black Egg Pore Gel Base

My skin is quite porous - I did try couple of pore regulating products, but I noticed that I really have influence only on the size of my pores near nose and on the temples. The rest of my skin is just always porous, no matter what I use, what temperature it's outside etc. But if I cannot control them, I can at least conceal them with some good primer.

Product description: A pore-refining primer gel with a velvety finish that improves the appearance of enlarged pores while preparing skin for makeup. The apricot colour base brightens lacklustre skin tones.

In the ingredients list we will find silicones and talc, but also Titanium Dioxide (UVA & UVB filter) and rice extract, which contains skin soothig enzymes and has antioxidant properties.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Talc, Fragrance, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Sulfur, Polysorbate 80, Oleth-10, Albumen Extract, Titanium Dioxide, CI77492, CI77491, CI77499.
Ingredient analysis [HERE]

The original product comes in 25g squeezy tube, I ordered set of 10 sample sachets (1ml each) on e-Bay. One sample last for approx. 4-5 applications.

The base has a very nice, light & velvety feel to it. Although it's called "gel base" it has consistency of light cream rather than gel. Nice, floral scent. It glides easily on the skin, a little goes a long way. Because it's flesh-coloured it evens out skin tone a little bit, but not as well as Baby Choux Recipe primer. But the good side is that it doesn't white up skin so much as Baby Choux - when I used Baby Berry Choux couple of my co-workers noticed that I look more pale than usual, the Black Egg primer doesn't influence my skin tone that much.

After first few uses I wasn't impressed with this product, it seemed to me like it doesn't really do much except of making skin slightly smoother. But then I discover that it needs a moment to blend into my skin - I have to give it a minute or two to sit on my skin before BB application. When I do that, the base covers pores and shallow wrinkles really well. This waiting time may annoy some, I personally don't mind. The primer makes application of any BB really nice and easy, also it mattifies skin a little bit, therefore the BB cream on top of that base looks slightly more matte than without it - that's a big advantage for my oily skin. Product itself is rather neutral for sebum control, but it makes make up last longer - some BB creams just disappear from the skin after some time, this base keeps them in place. It also makes my make up almost waterproof - once when I forgot to use cleansing oil and went straight under the shower, I could feel water just sliding off my face like off duck's back. Funny feeling ^^

Price: from £6 on e-Bay for the full size product; I payed £3 for set of 10 samples.

Pros:
+ a little goes a long way
+ covers pores and shallow wrinkles well
+ leaves skin velvety smooth
+ makes BB cream last longer
+ contains Titanium Dioxide - mineral UVA & UVB filter

Cons:
- have to wait a moment after application to let it settle on the skin

Overall this is a good product. Just remember to double cleanse your skin when using silicone based products like that - I recommend using cleansing oil ^^

If you have problem with enlarged pores you may be interested in the rest of Skin Food's Black Egg Pore line:

Line contains: Serum, Gel Base, Primer, Foundation (two shades: #1 Light Beige #2Natural Beige) and Finish Powder. The difference between primer and base it that base is tinted, while primer is clear.

My battle with hairloss: Dr. Wolff Plantur 21 Shampoo review

I think that every girl has noticed at some point increased hair loss. My hairdresser has told me that's normal to experience it around solstice - and I had always experienced almost animal-like "fur changing" twice a year. However after last solstice my hair was falling and falling... and my bathtub drain was getting blocked with hair more and more often. The point where I said "ok, that's enough" was in April, when my drain was getting blocked after every hair wash (so basically every day). Even though I know it's only my hair there I was still pretty disgusted and struggled to unblock it. Looking for some solution to my hair loss I came across Plantur range.

 

Product description: The nutri-caffeine complex in Plantur 21 helps to prevent an energy deficit in the hair roots. The caffeine in Plantur 21 primarily slows down degradation of the important energy carrier cAMP.

It can be detected at the hair root after just 120 seconds.

An additional effect comes from the valuable micro-nutrients biotin, magnesium, calcium and zinc. They are important factors for healthy and vigorous hair growth.

The Nutri-Caffeine Shampoo has also been developed for colour-treated and stressed hair. It contains conditioning agents that repair the externally stressed hair. This represents no burden on the hair, since no silicones that weigh down the hair are used.

How to use: Apply on wet hair, massage scalp and leave for 2 minutes, then rinse. Use on a daily basis.

The shampoo is clear and has weird consistency - it's not too rare or too thick, but something about that consistency has made me think "so no foam I suppose...". But surprisingly it does create a lot of rich foam. 2 minutes are passing by quickly, I just count slowly to 120. I have very oily hair, so to make sure my hair is properly cleaned and to save Plantur I first wash my hair with standard shampoo, then with Plantur. Plantur cleanse well, it does not tangle the hair more than any other shampoo (I always have to use conditioner).

In Plantur 21 series we can also get tonic and conditioner. I was afraid of tonic as one I was testing Alpecin Liquid (same company and also containing caffeine) and it was stinging my scalp as hell. The conditioner I decided to skip as I read some review about it and apparently it wasn't very good at detangling or smoothing out hair.

The shampoo surprised my on how effective it is, I noticed some improvement just after week of every day use. I have long hair and I still grow it, my hairbrush is always full of hair, so I can't judge my hair loss by hairbrush - but I can quite easily judge it by my damn drain blockage. Before Plantur I had to unblock it every day, after week of using Plantur I had to do it every other day. In July, after two months of using Plantur, I had to unblock my drain only once a week. At the moment I am using the shampoo only about twice a week, just preventable. What's interesting I'm still one the one bottle that I have bought in April (250ml), so it's super-efficient.

Ingredients of Plantur 21: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Caffeine, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Citrate, Polyquaternium-10, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc PCA, Niacinamide, Limonene, Linalool, Biotin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

There is also version "for hair after forty" - Plantur 39. It's slightly more extended, contains tonic and two kinds of shampoo and conditioner: 1. for fine and brittle hair, 2. for colour-treated and stressed hair.
The difference between series 21 i 39 is that Plantur 21 has nutri-caffeine complex, which prevents poor hair growth and hair loss that was triggered by stress and a supply deficit of the hair roots. Plantur 39, on the other hand, prevents hereditary hair loss. The phyto-caffeine complex helps the hair roots protect themselves against the consequences of decreasing estrogen levels.

Ingredients of Plantur 39 for fine and brittle hair: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Laureth-2, Panthenol, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-7, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc PCA, Niacinamide, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Ingredients of Plantur 39 for colour-treated and stressed hair: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, Caffeine, Glyceryl Oleate, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc PCA, Niacinamide, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, CI 47005, CI 42090.

Price: £8.99 in Boots. It's probably the most expensive shampoo I have ever used, but totally worth it!

Pros:
+ super efficient
+ creates nice, thick foam
+ no silicone
+ WORKS

Cons:
- opaque bottle, I can't see how much I got left
- may seem a bit expensive for a shampoo, but considering how efficient and effective it is, there is no con here really

Summing up: this stuff really works, strongly recommended :)

Some pics of my hair:

May 2014: Plantur 21 + Herbal Essences Sensuously Smooth Shampoo & conditioner. I must say tat Herbal Essences "classic series" is my discovery of the year, hair so lovely after them and this smell... I'm close to the orgasmic screams from their commercials ;)
My hair is a little dried out and damaged (pic taken after second in my life colourisation), but no split ends.

August 2014: Plantur 21 + Herbal Essences Shimmering Colour and Sensuously Smooth conditioner + Shwarzkopf Essence Ultime hair oil (review coming soon). My hair is nourished, shimmering, nice and soft in touch. Magic!

Secret Key Snail+EGF Repairing Eye Cream

Pink Ninja loves good eye cream. Actually the eye cream was my first "serious" cosmetic product, I started using one when I was 15 years old, looking for some solution to my dark circles. Quickly I become addicted to the nice shooting feeling of the eye cream around my eyes and since I felt in love with Secret Key snail products, I couldn't pass the opportunity to check this product out.

Product description: Snail mucus and EGF ingredient helps skin elasticity and increase moisturising power to create healthy skin. Creates elastic and vibrant skin around eyes as it absorbs quickly into sensitive eye area.

Main ingredients:

• Snail secretion filtrate - protects skin from infection, reduces inflammation, effective in treating acne and scarring, anti-wrinkle
• Human Oilgo Peptide-1 (EGF) - known as a "beauty factor" - eliminating scars and speckles by improving the texture and condition of the skin, anti-wrinkle by rejuvenating skin by stimulating cell proliferation 
• Arbutin - skin lightening
• Adenosine - helps prevent wrinkles, reduces UVB sun damage, increases the production of elastin and collagen reducing skin saginess and improving tone
• Beta glucan - a natural compound extracted from plants, that helps to maintain a youthful appearance for skin
• Macadamia Seed Oil - contains Palmitoleic acid that is vital for delaying skin and cell ageing, Oleic acid that has regeneration and moisturising properties, Linoleic acid that helps to prevent skin water loss and Plant phytosterols that are calming and healing
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - offers multiple benefits for ageing skin- can improve skin's elasticity, enhance skin's barrier function, help erase discolourations, and revive skin's healthy tone and texture.
• Squalane (or Squalene)- natural organic compound obtained from shark liver oil or olive oil (this cream uses olive oil one). It’s an antioxidant-rich, age-fighting emollient, that over time can reduce wrinkles, eliminate scars, reverse UV damage, lighten freckles and erase skin pigmentation.
• Jojoba seed oil - it's a unique kind of oil, that has no greasy feel to it, does not have any large amounts of the fatty acids and has no cholesterol. Jojoba oil is used to treat various skin diseases and the prevention of facial and neck wrinkles.

Product arrives in cardboard box, inside we will find 30ml tube. Tube is secured from the bottom with a bit of foil. I have aways problem with thinking in capacities, so I was well surprised with how bit the tube was (almost as long as my palm), however it's not entirely full, I would say that 1/4 of the tube is empty. The tube is opaque, but if I direct it to some source of light I can easily see how much cream is there.

Cream has very light consistency. It spreads easily on the skin and absorbs quickly. There is only a tiny amount needed to cover whole eye area - I use it since mid June and still got half of the tube. What I like most about this product is that even tough is light it's still very nourishing and moisturising. It's lighter than Skin Food Salmon Eye Cream but as much nutritious. Thanks to quick absorbency it's perfect for the AM use, I don't have to wait long to apply my make up. Cream has very subtle floral scent, hardly noticeable.

Price: from £6 on e-Bay.

Pros:
+ lightweight
+ quickly absorbing
+ well moisturising
+ brightens up eye area
+ generous capacity = good value for money

Cons:
NONE!

After two months of use skin around my eyes feel great. It's soft, supple and brighten. I also think my "smiling wrinkle" under the eyes improved. I am very pleased with this product :)

Secret Key Snail + EGF Repairing Foam Cleanser

Today review of the foam that was my first Secret Key's product and started my love to the Snail+EGF series. Enjoy!

Product description: Snail foam cleanser for sensitive skin of snail mucus and EGF ingredient. Deeply cleans up sebum and waste without irritation. Excellent in restoring damaged skin and keeping moisture as it contains natural ingredients.

Main ingredients:

• Snail secretion filtrate - protects skin from infection, reduces inflammation, effective in treating acne and scarring, anti-wrinkle
• Human Oilgo Peptide-1 (EGF) - known as a "beauty factor" - eliminating scars and speckles by improving the texture and condition of the skin, anti-wrinkle by rejuvenating skin by stimulating cell proliferation
• Glycerin - Glycerin is a well known humectant in cosmetics and personal care products. Other functions that have been reported for Glycerin include, hair conditioning agent, oral care agent, skin conditioning agent - humectant, skin protectant and viscosity decreasing agents.
• Betaine - An amino acid also known as Trimethylglycine or glycine betaine. Primarily functions as a humectant and anti-irritant in cosmetic products. It's able to give superior hydration to the skin, without the residual stickiness often associated with glycerin based emulsions. When used in skin care products, it can temporarily decrease the depth of wrinkles, giving the face a much smoother appearance.

The product arrives in cardboard box, inside which we will find 100ml squeezy tube, secured with a bit of foil on the bottom. The whole packaging is nice and simple.
Similarly to other Korean foam face washes, this product has a consistency of thick, smooth cream, pearl white in colour. Cream glides easily on slightly wet skin and creates very rich foam. Considering the amount and thickness of foam it actually reminds me old fashioned shaving cream xD Product has a nice, floral scent, the same note that we can come across with other products from Secret Key's Snail + EGF range.

This foam cleans very well, removes all the make up, even mascara. Face feels refreshed and squeaky clean afterwards and all of that without any drying side effects - brilliant! Product is also super efficient, as you only need a pea size amount to clean the whole face and neck. I use it since beginning of May and still got at least 1/3 of the tube.

Price: from £6 on e-Bay.

Pros:
+ rich foam
+ skin clean and refreshed, removes make up
+ doesn't dry out skin
+ a little goes a long way = good value for money
+ nice smell

Cons:
- completely opaque tube, so I can't see how much exactly I have used up

Summary: a good product for reasonable price. Highly recommended :)

Secret Key Snail+EGF Repairing Essence

I am in love with Secret Key's Snail products. Prestige Snail+EGF Ampoule was good, but the least efficient from all the series, so when I ran out of it I decided to replace it with the essence.

 Product description: Snail Slime Extract together with EGF (Cell Regeneration Factor) act as a skin stain remover, healing and repairing wounds and scars, it also boots your skin's ability to stay hydrated and bright.

Ingredients:

• Snail Secretion Filtrate - protects skin from infection, reduces inflammation, effective in treating acne and scarring, anti-wrinkle
• Human Oilgo Peptide-1 (EGF) - known as a "beauty factor" - eliminating scars and speckles by improving the texture and condition of the skin, anti-wrinkle by rejuvenating skin by stimulating cell proliferation
• Macadamia Seed Oil - contains Palmitoleic acid that is vital for delaying skin and cell ageing, Oleic acid that has regeneration and moisturising properties, Linoleic acid that helps to prevent skin water loss and Plant phytosterols that are calming and healing
• Oryza sativa (rice) extract - increases synthesis of collagen, also provides both short- and long-term hydration to the skin.

Oryza sativa (rice) extractSnow fungus (Tremella Fuciformis) Extract - has anti-aging properties due to allowing the skin to retain more water and helps prevent senile degeneration (the breaking down over time) of micro blood vessels within the skin and keep blood flowing through the skin optimally.

From all the series this product has the most snaily structure. It's gooey and during the application it tends to stretch what is a little annoying, as I like to apply products by first dotting them on the face and then massaging in - this essence creates "strings" between the dots, so it's easy to accidentally apply it in some silly place like eyebrow :P but the good side of this essence is that it doesn't feel sticky on the skin as it absorbs very quickly. It leaves skin slightly moisturised and smooth and it's very lightweight - perfect for oily skin. It has very subtle smell, some floral notes similar to the ones in Snail+EGF Repairing Gel Cream. Product is quite efficient - one pump is enough to cover entire face.

Price: around £6 on e-Bay.

Pros:
+ lightweight
+ fast absorbing
+ affordable
+ a little goes a long way

Cons:
- gooey texture

Overall I am quite pleased with this product, I like how light and quickly absorbing it is. I use it twice a day, AM under the snail gel, PM under the Prestige snail cream.

Secret Key Lemon D-Toc Peeling Gel

My summer is all about the Secret Key. I have already reviewed for you some of Secret Key's Snail Products, now it's type for my favourite type of Korean product - peeling gel.

 

 

Product description (from the front of product): Fresh lemon leaves rich in vitamin C moisturise the sensitive or problem prone skin caused by external environment or imbalance between moisture and oil to keep it soft, supple, refreshed and healthy. Lemon D-toc peeling gel removes dead skin layer and helps skin turn over.

5 Free System: No paraben, no mineral oil, no Benzophenone, no Phenyoxyethanol, no artificial colour.

Main ingredients:

• Lemon extract -  a natural source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, protects skin against sun damage and works anti-inflammatory, recovers fatigue, brightens skin
• Centella (also known as Gotu Kola) - an effective anti-photoageing agent, mainly due to enhancement of collagen, which amount in skin decreases with age
• Hibiscus - has anti-oxidant properties, contains  flavonoids that are helping to maintain the skin's elasticity, contains acids that are one of the best natural peeling ingredients, also improves skin tone (rich in vitamin C)
• Aloe vera leaf extract - moisturiser and anti-irritant used for it's rejuvenating, healing and soothing properties
• Witch hazel extract - a strong astringent & antioxidant, has antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties, effective in acne treatments
• Chamomile - soothes skin

Product arrives without any extra packaging, just thermo-wrapped in foil. Tube is secured with a piece of foil as well. The tube has 120ml capacity.

How to use: apply certain amount on dry skin, then massage until it rolls up with the impurities from your skin, then wash off with warm water.

This gel has a smooth texture, without visible cellulose bits like in Skin Food's Pineapple peeling gel, but it's also not as jelly-like as Ginvera Marvel Gel.

To check if product is really taking of impurities from my skin, not just rolling by itself I did a little experiment with clean plate and rubber glove:

I've squeezed a little bit of product on the clean plate...

...and massaged product into the plate for good couple of minutes.

As you can see gel didn't roll up on the plate - which proves for me that it indeed reacts with my skin impurities and dead skin cells.

The product is very efficient, as I use it every day from over 2 months and still have good 1/3 of the tube. You can also use it to remove you make up, but I like to use it in the morning, when my face is only a bit oily, to make sure it targets my pores. After use pores are minimised, face brightened and feeling fresh. In long term of regular use I can see improvement in my skin clarity - my nose used to be covered in blackheads, now they re-appear only on the nostrils.
Products has a bit chemical lemon scent, but it's not unpleasant and doesn't bother me at all.

Price: £6.66 on e-Bay.

Pros:
+ very efficient and generous capacity - good value for money
+ minimises pores
+ helps to fight blackheads
+ refreshes and brightens up skin

Cons:
- a bit chemical scent

Summary: I am very pleased with this product, from all the peeling gels I used so far, this is definitely the best value for money - it offers twice the capacity of Ginvera Marvel Gel for half the price. There is still few brands I want to try after I use up this one, but so far this is my favourite :)