Tuesday 30 December 2014

MEMEBOX CHRISTMAS COLLECTION #3 WINTER ESSENTIAL MASKS

It seems all the holiday boxes are coming with links to online cards rather then physical ones.
This is yet another box I was happy to open and see the contents. One minor irritation was the ReRi Patting water had leaked, not by much but all they needed to do really was put a seal on the bottle. They very quickly responed to my email with 4 points so well done Memebox.
These sheet masks are both adorable and a bit scary at the same time, doesn't she look sad!They are by the brand Velieve which I have never heard of but all 3 are really suitable for my skin and I can't wait to try the honey. The other one is Q10 but I've never tried any of those type before so will have to research it first.
Next up is a 100ml tub of Esthetic House Collagen Jelly Pack, again Collagen is a must for me and even though it's pig collagen I am Ok about using it since it's a by product anyway. This box also includes a box of 4 Lassie'el yoghurt masks. I love these little capsule type masks and these have gone straight in the fridge so lets hope nobody tries to eat them! Continuing with this theme are 2 Puresmile capsules, one with royal jelly and the other is the Jewellery Bubble Ruby which seems to have particles of ruby in with hyaluronic, royal jelly and Vit E among other ingredients. I will try them soon.
Lastly is the famous patting water. I got the pink one which is for moisture so again this box could have been written for my skin type. This is meant to be added to a bowl of water and used to splash over the face. I won't be doing that. I am going to add mine to sprays and mists and use it as a refresher.
I am delighted with this box and so happy with everything it contains. I deliberately don't look at spoiler or unboxings until after I receive mine as I like the element of surprise and this box didn't let me down.




MEMEBOX GLOBAL #16

I wasn't expecting this box for a while so was surpised it arrived so soon. Actually I'm not really as the tracking and delivery of boxes seems to be a bit haywire over the festive season.
It's a nicely packed box with 7 items.
First thing I picked out was from Elizavecca, one of my current favourite brands. This time it's Shrink Lifting RPro a lotion that claims to shrink your calves! I really don't believe that for a minute but I do think it will be like a leg cooling gel. I'm not wowed by this but I do get sore calves from walking so will use it at some point.

Next is the first of 2 things I have just bought this week from sellers on FB. I need to stop doing that as it's happened a couple of times recently and it seems they got their boxes before me, then put them up for sale and mine arrives a few days later (that's what I get for avoiding spoilers). Anyway I'm ok about this as it's a Hair+ Velvet Nutri Injection. A one time use blast of goodness for hair. I love hair products anyway so this will be used. I am currently working my way through a tub of Etude House Silk Scarf which is amazing.

There are 2 blackhead products in this box ReRi Style Black Head Brush Cleanser and Blackhead pore closing Serum. I don't suffer from blackheads so not sure how I feel about these. The cleanser has a soft brush head so I think it's meant to be used first then the pore closing serum. I do have some open pores so may try it to see.
The other 3 products do excite me. First the Vitamin Mist, this is the other thing I have just bought from a seller. However I can see me keeping and using both. It has a lovely smell and feel to it, the only down side is the spray nozzle isn't very fine and kind of showers you so I've been putting some on my hand and patting it on. I may top this up with some of the RiRe patting water.

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel. I like Mizon as a brand especially their Collagen and Hyaluronic Serums so again anything with snail gets my vote.

Lastly Del Skin Centella 90 Power Ampoule. I know ampoules are meant to be a stronger version of a serum but the size of this bottle has me thinking of it in terms of a serum or essence.

So Global 16 was a great box for me and nicely jam packed with good sized product.



Saturday 27 December 2014

Korean Cosmetic Brand List

Korean Cosmetic Brands

I'm a bit obsessed with Korean make up and skincare especially since I started getting into Memebox. I was doing an inventory of all my products at home and it struck me that there are loads of brands so I thought I would start a list. I went with the ones I own then a bit of research to add in more. Again this is by no way a definitive list. Most of the brands I have tried are from Memebox and the various Korean online shops and ebay sellers. This is a good place to start if your looking for some brand information or planning to start using Korean cosmetics.

 
Founded at the end of the second world war Amore Pacific is the leading cosmetic company in South Korea and brands can be found in 'Aritaum', a South Korean department store.

Amore Pacific Cosmetics: High end cosmetics brand.
Aritaum: Drug store brand with a department store with the same name.
Dantrol: Haircare brand specialising in anti dandruff shampoo, a bit like Head & Shoulders.
Etude House: Hugely popular affordable cosmetic brand with princessy products. Visiting an Etude House the staff address you as 'prince' and 'princess'. No. 1 best selling brand in Korea especially with young people.
Espoir: Mid range make-up brand.
Hannule/Hanyul: Oriental medicine skincare brand.
Happy Bath: Drug store skincare brand.
Hera: Mid range cosmetic brand, named after the Greek goddess Hera. Amore Pacific's first ever cosmetic brand.
Hyosiah/Hyosia: Oriental medicine cosmetic brand that boasts their 3000 year old secret/knowledge of Asian fermented beans.
Illi: Herbal medicine skin care brand.
Innisfree: Nature brand specialising in ingredients from Jeju Island, an island off the coast of South Korea.
IOPE: High end cosmetic brand, like to use science to their advantage.
Laneige: Fairly high end cosmetic brand, 'Laneige' means 'snow of nature'.
Lirikos: French inspired brand specialising in marine ingredients such as deep sea water, marine collagen, etc. Also known as La Mer. (Creme de la mer anyone)
Lolita Lempicka: Mid range fragrance brand with a dark but cute image similar to Holika Holika.
Mamonde: Drug store cosmetic brand.
Median: Drug store oral care brand.
Mirepa/Miraepa: Drug store male skincare brand.
Mise-en-Scene: Mid range haircare brand.
Odyssey: Mid range skincare brand for men. The South Korean men's beauty market is the biggest in the world.
Primera: Drug store cosmetic brand.
Ryeo/Ryoe: Oriental medicine haircare brand.
Sulwhasoo: The original Oriental medicine skincare brand with high end price tags.'Sulwhasoo' means 'snow flower' in Korean. The best selling Korean cosmetic brand in history with its' famous First Care Serum one of the best sellers.
TeenClear: Drug store hypo-allergenic formulas for teenage skin troubles.
Verite: Mid range cosmetics.




You may be more familiar with LG as a maker of TV's but they also own a number of cosmetic companies, as do Samsung.They go under the name LG Care. LG meaning Life's Good.

Belif: Mid range skincare for teenage skin concerns.
Beyond: Mid range natural cosmetic brand.
Carezone: Mid range skincare for teenage skin concerns that uses 'Lipozone' and deep sea water for their calming properties.
Cathy Cat: Mid range make up with a hip New York vibe.
The Face Shop: Drug store natural cosmetic range using ingredients such as flowers, fruit, vegetables. Has loads of stores and is celebrity endorsed.
The History of Whoo: Designer Oriental medicine cosmetic brand that competes with Amore Pacific's Sulwhasoo.
Isa Knox: High end cosmetic brand. Isa means beautiful and knox means night in European languages.
Lacvert: Mid end cosmetic brand; Meaning green lake in French The brand model is Kim Yeon-Ah and they target the adult market.
LG Care: LG's main cosmetic brand, drug store price-wise
MULE: Mid to high end make-up brand created by Jung Saem Mool, a Korean make-up artist.
O HUI: High end cosmetic brand, their brand concept is 'when nature and science meet' famous products include Original Energy 100 and Intensive Sunblock Cake.
Re-en: Oriental medicine haircare brand that competes with rival Amore Pacific's Ryeo.
Sooryehan: Oriental medicine cosmetic brand similar to Amore Pacific's Hannule.
SU:M3: Fermented cosmetics brand. Famous for SU:M Secret Programming Essence.
VDL: Drug store make-up brand.
Vonin: Mid range men's cosmetic brand.
VOV: Drug store priced cosmetic brand.



Trading since 1988, their motto is 'Art through nature'. Using natural products and extracts many of them they have patented. Coreana is one of the Top 30 cosmetic companies in the world.

Bichigain: Oriental medicine skincare brand specialising in ingredients such as 'ganoderma lucidum', chilhwa water, birch tree sap ('bichigain' in Korean) and 10 year old wild ginseng.
Biodefense: High end cosmetic brand split into two sub-brands: BIO+DEFENSE for troubled/sensitive skin and BIO-SYSTEM for environmental protection.
Bi Hui Gai In: Oriental medicine brand.
Colourplay: Mid end make-up brand.
Coreana Cosmetics: Mid range cosmetic brand that won A best selling company for many years.
Edgefit: Make-up brand that uses a cute pink imagagery similar to Etude House. Their 'Heart Filler Face Cream' is their bestseller aimed at people looking for a more toned, smaller,attractive face!
Entia Global: Affordable cosmetic brand specialising in fruit and plant extracts.
Essential Extra: Mid range cosmetic brand that use essential oils in their products.
Lavida: Brand specialising in fermentation processes.
Locomotion: Mid range men's cosmetic brand using 'phytoncide content..
Nokdu: Mid end cosmetic brand that specialise in using mung beans (nokdu) in their products.
Noni Sangji: Cosmetic brand that uses extracts from the noni fruit and sanji tree branch extract.
Senite: Mid end cosmetic brand. Bestseller: Polynesian Intensive Cream, nicknamed 'mochi skin cream' in Japan.
Ten Seconds: Mid range make-up brand with a pro feel to it. Their concept is about being able to change your look in 10 seconds, like catwalk models do. Well known items are Sheer Lip Stain and Waterproof 3-in-1 Eyeliner.
Zain: Mid range cosmetic brand featuring Magnolia flower extract, Longan fruit extract and 'cheonjungkibodan', a mixture of 7 different herbal medicines.
Independent Make-up Brands

Aery Jo: Mid range brand.
Ani Place: Drug store make-up brand
Banila Co.: Mid range make-up brand a bit like Benefit in style.
Clio: Affordable but good quality brand. 'Clio' means 'praise' in Greek.
Cosam: Nail art brand selling pretty nail stickers and charms . Their range is unique.
Clamue: Pretty range of affordable products.
Chosungah: The brainchild of Korean make-up artist Cho Sung-Ah. Brand concept: 'With our 22 years of experience, we can make you look like you're just 22!'
Escada: Mid range make-up brand.
Hope Girl: Drug store make-up brand using leopard print style.
Han Kyeong Hee: Mid range make-up brand with products in sets with refills.
Kemuel: Mid end make-up brand. Brand concept: Kemuel's (an angel) temptation - the reason why I glow!
Peripera: Drug store type cute brand.
Jadilla J: Mid range brand who's concept is 'like a make-up artist's touch for everyone'
Cosline Prielry: Drug store type brand.
Scandal: Affordable range of make-up.

Independent Skincare Brands

A.C. Care: Specialises in skin treatments for problematic skin.
Beauty Credit: Drug store skincare brand.
CNP: Mid end skincare brand.
Dermal: Cheap sheet mask brand.
Ja Seng Su: Cheap sheet mask brand. 'Ja seng su' means 'beauty born by itself' in Korean.
Jayeonmaeul: Organic mask packs.
Leaders Clinic: Mid range sheet masks.
Mediheal: Cheap sheet masks brand for sensitive skin.
MJ Care: Eco-friendly sheet mask brand.
Point: Drug store skincare brand specialising in cleansing with organic and raw ingredients.
CJ Lion: Drug store products.
Songwol: Sells cheap face towels.
Green Wonil: Skincare and oral hygiene productss.
Dr. MJ: Mid to high end skincare.
Foodaholic: Mid range sheet mask brand.
Aromatica: Mid range organic skincare & aromatherapy brand famed for environmental friendly approaches.
Be The Skin: Herbal skincare brand.
Caolion: Affordable natural skincare.
Miracosmetic: Drugstore brand that uses essential oils in its' range.
Zamian/Jamian: Mid range skincare brand with its' well known Gold Cacao Pack Mask.

Some other Cosmetic Brands

Ameli: Mid range cosmetic brand.
Apieu: Affordable everyday cosmetic brand that means 'first' in English and 'basic' in French.
Atopalm: Produces products for skin troubles.
A3F[ON]: Mid end cosmetic brand.
Bornskin: Cheap cosmetic brand.
BRTC: Mid to high range products using natural ingredients such as flower and plant extracts.
Charm Zone: Mid range cosmetic brand.
COOGI: Quite high end brand.
Danahan:Oriental medicine cosmetic brand famous for Red Clay Cleansing Cream.
Dr. Jart+: Mid range cosmetic brand.
Donginbi: High end organic cosmetic brand that uses 6 year old red ginseng and herbal ingredients.
Dr. Pharm: Drug store range of products blending science with skincare. It uses Syn-ake extract, a synthetic snake venom-like ingredient good for anti-wrinkle treatment similar to snail mucin.
Elisha Coy: Mid end cosmetic brand.
Elicina: Specialising in Chilean snail mucin ingredients.
Enature: Brand featuring 'plant growth cell extracts'
Enprani: Well know mid range brand.
ESMEDIC: Brand for skin products to tackle sensitive skin.
Hanskin: Mid end cosmetic brand best known for its' BB cream.
Goeunsenag: Expensive cosmetic brand.
Gaeam Food: Mid range brand well known for Bamboo Salt, a multi-purpose product that can be used as a wash or scrub.
Holika Holika: A very well known brand. 'Holika Holika' is a magic spell to make you more beautiful. It has anumber of best selling items such as the Magic Wand Mascara.
IPKN: Affordable cosmetic brand. IPKN stands for 'Independent Professional Korean New Yorker'
Imselene: Drug store range that uses extra virgin olive oil as its' main ingredient.
IASO: Mid range brand who's concept seems to be 'You don't have to be perfect.
isoi: High end organic & natural cosmetic brand.
It's Skin: Affordable and popular cosmetic brand created by a dermatologists with the bestselling Snail Mucus Extract line.
Jaminkyung: Affordable everyday cosmetic brand with the strap line 'Doing well-bing'. They also use snail mucin.
Kameria: Drug store type cosmetic brand.
Kelly Water: Natural range.
Kwailnara/Gwailnara: Natural range.
L'Egere: Mid range cosmetic brand.
Lotree: Mid end cosmetic brand with purple butterfly imagery.
Lioele: Affordable cosmetic brand with a princessy theme.
Llang: Specialises in 6 year old red ginseng!
Lalavesi: Mid range funky, pop are type imagery.
Lisange: High end range.
Missha: Popular cosmetic brand that started on a website called 'beauty.net', with stores all over Asia and in New York. A well known products is its' Perfect Cover BB Cream.
Mizon: Mid end cosmetic brand known for Watermax Aqua Gel Cream and Snail Essence line.
Mora Savina: High end cosmetic brand.
Nature Republic: Natural brand incorporating ingredients such as hibiscus flower and aloe vera.
Neogen: Mid end cosmetic brand.
Organia: Drug store organic natural cosmetic line specialising in ingredients such as shea butter and olive oil.
OGANIC: Organic cosmetic brand.
Ponds: Affordable cosmetic brand.
Puretem: Organic brand that uses mainly aloe vera.
Re:NK: Drug store brand.
Rita Rove W: Mid end cosmetic brand with lovely purple and silver packaging.
Rosee: Cosmetic brand specialising in aloe vera products.
Sanshim/Sansam: Oriental medicine cosmetic brand featuring 110 year old Sansam and using 'special technology'.
SCINIC: Mid end cosmetic brand.
So Natural: Affordable natural brand.
Secret Key: Affordable well established cosmetic brand that features a lot of snail mucin and syn-ake.
Serazena: Brand that associates itself with Western philosophies and ingredients such as 'nanotechnology of bio-collagen' and plant stem cells.
SipJangSaeng: Drug store brand featuring 110 year old wild ginseng.
Skincure: Mid end natural brand, a more upmarket version of Skinfood. Uses ingredients form Jeju Island and some unknown ones such as Sandawha, Noste, Stemcello and Daunbee.
Skinfood: Affordable natural brand featuring food as their main ingredients such as rice, milk, avocado, tomato. Know for its' Black Sugar Wash-Off Mask and Peach Sake line among others.
Skin79: Famous for their BB creams especially the Hot Pink BB Cream.
Skylake: Herbal cosmetic brand uuusing ingredients such mulberry, skullcap, wormwood, etc.
Songak: Unisex brand.
Sua Young: High end cosmetics often used in salons and spa's.
Tears: Lesser known affordable range.
The Saem: Drug store line. Its' meaning seems to be the 'the spring water (saem) of beauty'.
Tony Moly: Affordable everday cosmetic brand. Famed for its' Appletox cream.
Too cool for school: Drug store mid end cosmetic brand with a cute imagery, one of its' best items is the Pudding Aqua Shaking BB cream,
Yadah: Cheap natural cosmetic brand.
Y.E.T.: Cheap cosmetic brand. Y.E.T. stands for 'Yes! Enjoy Time!'.
Yuhwayeon Jinhyo: High end Oriental medicine brand.
Zeniswell: Eco-friendly cosmetic brand.

So it is easy to see why the beauty industry is so big in South Korea. The lists are endless, I came accross loads more that I haven't included.

Cosmetic Brand Ownership Cosmetic Companies – Who Owns What?

Recently I did some research about cosmetic brands and was surprised to find Estee Lauder own Mac and it got me thinking I'd like to find out more about brand ownership. It was easy to find on company websites and from searches so I have brought it together and came up with these. It's not a definitive guide but this gives a good indication of the main players. As you can see the beauty industry is a real money maker. It is estimated to be worth 17 billion in the UK alone and even though we have been in recession it shows no sign of slowing down. My theory is that when times are tough people want to do things to cheer themselves up and what better way than putting on good make up or having a salon treatment.

Here's what I found so far:


Aerin - Founded by Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of Estee Lauder, Aerin is a premium beauty, fragrance and lifestyle brand.
Aramis - High end men's fragrance brand.
Aveda - Baotanical products sold and used in many salons and spas.
Bobbi Brown - Cosmetics brand founded by make-up artist Bobbi Brown, acquired by Estee Lauder in 1995.
Bumble and Bumble - Premium haircare brand.
Clinique - Dermatoligist created cosmetics brand founded in 1968, offering custom-fit skincare and makeup.
Coach - Premium clothing and fragrance line.
Darphin - Parisian-based cosmetics brand, used in many salons and spas.
Donna Karen - Clothing and fragrance line (DKNY), acquired in 1997.
Ermenegildo Zegna - Mens clothing and fragrance brand.
Estee Lauder - Premium cosmetics brand.
Flirt! - Cosmetics brand with a 'pretty' and 'flirty' image sold at Kohl's Department store.
Goodskin Labs - Premium skincare brand offering targeted clinical skincare.
Jo Malone - Fragrance and lifestyle brand.
Kiton - Fragrance brand.
La Mer - Luxury cosmetics brand with the famous 'Creme de la Mer'.
Lab Series Skincare forMen - 'High Tech' 'High Performance' is it's strap line
MAC - Affordable well know brand with a make up artist image.
Mami - Fragrance brand.
Michael Kors – Fashion and cosmetics. Bought by EL in 2003
Ojon - Natural hair care brand with oil and naturally derived products.
Origins - 'Powered by nature. Proven by science.' Hair care using natural ingredients.
Osiao - Luxury cosmetics brand using traditional Chinese medicine and ingredients, products made in Japan.
Prescriptives - Cosmetics offering 'customer colour'
Smashbox - Brand grew from Smashbox Studios; products tried and tested under studio lights and filming condtions.
Tom Ford - Popular high end cosmetics.
Tommy Hilfiger - Cosmetics and well known fragrance brand.
Tory Burch – Relatively new cosmetics and fragrance brand.


Hugely popular brands listed here in their portfolio making them one of the leaders of the industry.

Lancome - Well know brand sold in most department stores.
Giorgio Armani Beauty - High end cosmetics brand.
Yves Saint Laurent - Perfume brand well known for Paris and Opium.
Biotherm - Known for using aquatic ingredients.
Kiehl's - Cosmetics and skin care using natural products.
Ralph Lauren - Premium fragrance and cosmetics brand and now clothing.
Shu Uemura - High end Japanese cosmetics.
Cacharel - Around since the 1960's, specialised in the ready to wear concept of frangrances.
Helena Rubinstein - Aimed at anti-aging products.
Clarisonic - Cosmetics brand famed for their Clarisonic Cleansing Brush.
Diesel - Mens fragrance brand.
Viktor Rolf - Frangrances with a 'spectacular meets elegant' image.
Yue Sai - Chinese cosmetics brand.
Maison Martin Margiela - High end fragrance brand.
Guy Laroche - Fragrances around since 1957.
Paloma Picasso - Created by the daughter of the famous painter, started in fashion before moving onto perfume.
L'Oreal Paris - Affordable cosmetic and skin care.
Garnier - Widely available skin and hair care products.
Maybelline - Well know drug store make up.
Softsheen.Carso- Cosmetics aimed at those of African descent.
L'Oreal Professional - Haircare brand from L'Oreal Paris. Mythic oil is a cult favourite.
Kerastase Paris - Haircare brand.
Essie - Well know producers of nail polish.
Redken - Salon haircare brand.
Matrix - High end haircare brand used in professional settings.
Pureology - Haircare and colour brand.
Shu Uemura: Art of Hair - Haircare from Shu Uemura.
Mizani – Hair products for frizzy and curly hair.
Carita Paris - Prestige cosmetics.
Decleor Paris - Skincare brand used a lot in salons espeically for facials.
Vichy - Skincare well know in France.
La Roche-Posay - Brand with a scientific image.
SkinCeuticals - Premium cosmetics brand with a scientific image.
Inneov - Diet suppliments.
The Body Shop - Focussed on natural ingredients, highly perfumed,lots of bathing products.
Roger&Gallet - French cosmetics brand.
Sanoflore - Brand using essential oils aimed at sensitive skins.



Proctor & Gamble

Aussie - Mid end haircare brand focused on Australian culture and ingredients.
Avril Lavigne Fragrances – Celebrity fragrances.
Boss Black Fragrances – Well known fragrance brand.
Boss Orange Fragrance - Mid to high end fragrances brand.
Boss Skincare - Mid to high end skincare brand.
Christina Aguilera Fragrances – Celebrity fragrance range.
Dolce&Gabbana – High end cosmetics and fragrance brand.
Dunhill Fragrances - Fragrance brand.
Escada - Mid to high end fragrance brand.
Gucci Fragrances – Popular fragrance brand.
Head and Shoulders - Well know for anti-dandruff shampoos.
Herbal Essences - Everyday affordable haircare brand.
HUGO Fragrances - Fragrance brand.
Lacoste Fragrances - Popular men's fragrance brand.
Max Factor - Mid range make up.
Nice n' Easy - Drug store haircare brand.
Olay - Formerly known as 'Oil of Olay' or further back 'Oil of Ulay'. Popular brand.
Old Spice - Famous aftershave brand for men.
Pantene - Everyday well known haircare brand, know for Pro V range.
Perfect 10 - Drug store haircare and colour brand.
Rochas Fragrances - Affordable Fragrances
Sassoon (Wella) - Salon range of hair products.
Silvikrin - Brand used in salons. Think hairspray.
Sebastian Professional - Mid range haircare brand.
System Professional (Wella) – Drug store haircare brand.
SK-II - Luxury Japanese cosmetics brand used by many Japanese celebrities. Unusually owned by a western company.
Wella Professional Care & Style & Colour - Salon based haircare brand.

They may be small in terms of ownership but have 3 of probably the most effective targeted skin care ranges on offer.

Aveeno - Skin and haircare brand. It's famously known for oatmeal based lotions said to work wonders for excema.
Clean & Clear - Drug store range primarily for acne-prone and problem skin.
Neutrogena - Mid end cosmetics brand. Well known foundation that is very popular in USA.




I remember my mum wearing a cult favourite 'Coty L'aimant' perfume and forgot this brand existed. They are heavily weighted in the celebrity fragrance range.

Adidas – Drug store male fragrance brand.
Astor - Everday cosmetics brand.
Balenciaga - Fragrance brand. But also known for hand bags.
Beyonce - Popular celebrity ragrance brand.
Bottega Veneta - High end European fragrance brand.
Calvin Klein Fragrances - Well known and popular fragrance brand.
Celine Dion - Celebrity fragrances.
Cerruti - Mid to high end fragrance brand.
Chloe - Popular fragrance brand.
Chopard -Expensive fragrance brand.
CK One Color – Drug store cosmetics brand, commonly found in Poundland and cheap shops.
David Beckham Fragrances - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Davidoff - Mid end fragrance brand, Cool Water is well known and loved by many.
Enrique Inglesias - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Esprit - High end fragrance brand,
Guess – Drug store fragrance brand.
Halle Berry - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Jennifer Lopez - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Jil Sander - Everyday affordable fragrance brand.
Joop! - Low to mid end fragrance brand. Popular in the 80's/90's
Jovan - Drug store fragrance brand,
Kate Moss - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Katy Perry - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Lady Gaga - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Lancaster - Mid end fragrance brand.
Madonna - Celebrity fragrance brand.
Manhattan - Drug store brand popular in Europe.
Marc Jacobs - Widely popular fragrance brand. Think 'Daisy'
Miss Sporty - Cheap cosmetics brand found in places like Superdrug.
N.Y.C. (New York Colour) - Drug store affordable cosmetics brand.
Nautica - Mid end fragrance brand.
Nicole by OPI - Part of the OPI nailcare brand.
Nikos - Mid end fragrance brand.
OPI - Well known nailcare brand.
Philosophy - Expensive skin care brand.
Pierre Cardin - Fragrance brand.
Playboy - Celebrity style fragrance and cosmetics brand.
Rimmel - Popular affordable cosmetics brand.
Roberto Cavalli - Mid end fragrance brand.
Sally Hansen - Widely known and used nailcare brand.
Stetson - Fragrance brand.
Tim McGraw - Fragrance brand.
Tjoy - Skincare using traditional Chinese medicine ingredients.
Tonino Lamborghini - Fragrance brand.
Vera Wang - Mid to high end fragrance brand, hugely popular 'Princess' fragrance.
Vespa - Fragrance brand.
Vivienne Westwood - Fashion designer fragrance brand.





The famous luggage makers also own a few well known classic brands.

Christian Dior - Designed cosmetics and fashion brand with beautiful packaging and products.
Guerlain - Classic high end brand with many well known products such as Meteorites.
Givenchy – High end make up and fragrances.
Kenzo - Well known for their fragrance 'Flower by Kenzo'.
Benefit - Well known for their cute packaging appealing to a younger market.
Fresh - High end cosmetics brand.
Make Up For Ever - Professional make up range.
Acqua di Parma - Fragrance brand.
Loewe - Fragrance brand.
Fendi - Premium fragrance brand also handbags and accessories.
Nude - High end skincare.




Many brands they took over were re-branded into Revlon hence there are only a few names.

Almay - Drug store brand for sensitive skincare.
Charlie - An oldie but goodie, every teenage girl must know Red and Pink fragrances.
Mitchum - Classic deodrants especially their unscented ones.
Ultima II - Premium cosmetics brand.
Revlon - Low to mid end cosmetics brand.




Huge is the USA they own some really well known tried and tested names.

Dove - Hugely popular skin care range.
Axe/Lynx - Probably best known for men's deodrant.
Lux - At one time it was one of the few soap's you could buy in the UK.
Sunsilk - Think hairspray!
Pond's - The classic Pond's Cold Cream is a cult favourite.
Timotei - Mainly shampoo.
Radox - Bath products for soaking tired muscles.
Vaseline – Nobody's make up bag should be without this product.
Simple - Drug store fragrance free skin products.
Tresemme - Drug store hair care and electrical styling items.
VO5 - Mid end haircare brand.




Shiseido owns Nars and Bare Minerals alongside many well known Asian brands.

Shiseido - Premium Japanese cosmetics brand now popular in the west too.
Cle de Peau Beaute - High end cosmetics brand.
Bare Minerals - Famed for face products.
NARS - High end products with a professional make up artistry.
Za - Mid range Asian brand.
IPSA - Mid end Asian cosmetics brand.
Ettusais - Mid range Asian cosmetics brand.
D'icila - Mid to high end Asian cosmetics brand for mature skin.
Ayura - Mid end Asian cosmetics brand.
Soka Mocka - High end Asian brand aimed at natural product image.
Benefique - High end Asian make up.
D Program - Mid end Asian cosmetics brand.
Aupres - High end Asian cosmetics brand.
Urara - Premium Asian cosmetics brand.
Elixir Superieur - High end anti-ageing Asian skincare.
Elixir White - Asian brands with emphasis on whitening products.
Elixir Prior - Premium Asian skincare brand for anti-ageing.
Aqua Label - Asian brand focussed on moisturising ingredients.
Senka - Premium Japanese skincare brand.
Qiora - Asian products aimed at fragrance and skin.
Haku - Asian skincare brand relating to lightening and dark spots.
Revital Granas - Another Asian brand for mature skin.
The Ginza - Asian brand with emphasis on scientific research.
D-Q (Dermal Quotient) - Dermatological focus on skin care.
Pure&Mild - Asian skincare brand suitable for sensitive skins.
Pure&Mild SOI - Asian skincare brand famed for not using fragrances and alcohol.

It is surprising to learn who owns what and there are quite a few I had never heard of. Some people say that you can tell by the product formulation that some brands are similar when they are owned by the same companies. May go a way to explain why dupes are sought after. 
 


Tuesday 23 December 2014

Memebox Colorbox #6 Electric Brights


The final box in the value colour series is Electric Brights. What a contrast between it and the other ones. A good selection from Vivito this time, a brand I really do admire. This box kind of has a music theme to it from Blues Shiney Primer, White Angel Chorus Beam, Vivace Color Cream Jazz Coral and Vivace Color Cream  Funky Roock Pink.
I absolutely love the music theme, rock chick at heart! I don't think I will be able to rock bright blue though, maybe could use it as an eyeliner in the warmer weather? Both the primers are for dry skin, I love it when I get make up prducts that I can use. They both sound dewy finsihes which I don't mind and can make use of them. All in all I like this box and would say it's the best one in the series.

Memebox Colorbox #6 Pastel Hues

A box full of Revecen makes me nervous! I keep getting purple foundation from them and once again more of the stuff, this time in Light Yellow. I think the idea of these are as colour correcting under normal foundation. The one colour that eludes me is green, the one that would work with my ruddy cheeks!
Revecen make pro make up from what I gather and the products are quite pigmented.
Again being a value box there are 4 full size items. The yellow foundation, a Pearl Turquoise eye shadow which I have to say I do like, green is fine for green eyes. The other eye product is Perfect Star Powder in 08 Yellow, why oh why could it not be the Ivory one? Does anyone ever get the shades they want or is it Memebox way of supporting all the FB swapping pages!
The lip gloss is a peach colour that may be ok but in all honest I will swap this out.

Memebox Colorbox #5 Jewel Tones

I ordered a value set way back in early October when I first started buying from Memebox and was really just scooping up every box. Not a sensible way to go if your starting out. With hindsight I am becoming much better at spotting the meaning of the boxes and an idea of what they will contain.

This box contains all Color World items, not a brand I am familiar with at all but it would seem to be a drugstore kind of company. This box has 4 products, 2 for the lips and 2 for the eyes. Would I call it jewel tones, not sure, maybe the lip glosses but the stick shadow is in silver and pretty ordinary not even bright silver, more like pewter. The loose powder eye shadow came in Violet but even then I'd say more lilac. My favourite from this box is the Multi Lovely Finger Mousse in 704 So Hot Pink. It is a lip tint, liptsick and gloss all in one and is really nice to work with. I tried it for a gradient lip look and it works really well.




Milani Haul

Recently on holiday in Italy I decided to check out some brands we can't get her in the UK. I made very successful visits to a couple of Sephora's and ashamed to say it but went to three different Kiko stores. I absolutely adore Kiko cosmetics and nail polishes.
What I was really after was Milani but didn't find any so on return I found out about a Czech website that delivers to the UK and what's more it's prices are normal! not like those on Amazon and Ebay but the same as you would pay in a USA drugstore.
If you have never tried Milani and like very pigmented products then definately have a look at them. The colours are jewel like and really bold and silky. The lipsticks stay put and the blushes are to die for. I already have a few blushes but couldn't resist this Coralina.

 This is where I got them:http://milanicosmetics.eu/index.html



Sunday 21 December 2014

MEMEBOX $5 Shop Sale

Just after Black Friday Memebox held a $5 shop sale with free shipping over $30. I just used a couple of samples of the delightful Tony Moly Red Appletox Honey Cream so took the opportunity to stock up. Seriously I adore this stuff, anything with honey has my approval and I've been slathering it on ever since.
I also went ahead and picked up some BB creams and a concealer. I've never really tried any BB creams and recently I feel like some days I don't want heavy coverage. I got two from Shara Shara.

The blue one is their Top Talented Skin Brightening and Wrinkle formula with SPF 34. It comes in a 50g pump tube, has a brightening formula and for $5 a piece I'm not complaining. I also got the Natural Shining version, a 40g squeezy tube with micro pearl contents for shiny and radiant skin. Both are normal sort of shades that I can work with.

The YET Liquid Flawless Concealer in Natural Beige has a doe foot applicator and really is nice and creamy. It covers well, even some red veining and it does not budge.




Memebox Elizavecca Holiday Set

During the Memebox drought they brought out some holiday sets and I ordered a couple. The first to arrive is this one - Elizavecca. Have heard good things about them before especially the Bubble Mask which I have on order. If I like a brand I try to get a few things from them to try.One thing I'm glad about is they didn't include the pore cleansing foam with the spider extract!

The Milky Piggy range is so cute! In this set there is a 3 step black head solution, not used it yet but it seems to be 2 liquid formulas then ending in the patches. I don't really suffer from blackheads as such but it will be a good pore cleansing treatment.

The Hydro-gel Bouncy Eye Patches are great, love gel masks and these are just as good, there's 20 of them so 10 uses which is not bad. I put mine in the fridge first and wear them in a hot bath.

The Glutinous mask has 80% snail cream so can't go wrong there. I'm waiting for the other carbonated one to arrive as I want to do a comparison test with this, the carbonated and the Collagen Coating Ion Injection which is also in this set, it's full of mud and charcoal, something I don't normally choose as I always think mud is drying.

All in all a good set made better by the price as I was able to use points and codes.




Saturday 20 December 2014

Memebox Superbox #70 Oh! My Lips

If taking care of your lips isn't part of your beauty routine this winter, re-think you beauty priorities. Colagen loss and wrinkles around the lips ages your face. This is some of the advice handed out on the info card for this box. It goes on to say that all the products contain age delaying, moisture enhancing, volumizing and smoothing ingredients, so here goes!
This box offers 5 products, all full size. It has a very berry red theme about it. This is something I see a lot with Korean lip products, that and hot orange.
First up is a Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Blam in Berry Farm. This is basically a jelly consistency balm in a tin with a deep red tinge to it. I had an orange one in another box but swapped it straight away as I'm not keen on orange but I will give this one a go. Hopefully it has a long shelf life as I have an abundance of balms on the go just now. However I use them all year round.

The next product is Lassie'el Kiss Me! Glam up! Lipstick. These are lipstick patches that can be re-used and you apply them either directly to your lip or you can brush them on. Pucker up because I have tried these and you need to sort of make a kissing motion to get them onto your lips, bit weird but novel idea. There are 6 in the box and I got a nice variety Lucid Orange, Lovely Pink, Natural Coral, Creamy Nude, Vintage Pink and Oriental Red.
I was more than happy to get a lip scrub and this 30ml SR one contains among other things snail, Vit E, Argan Oil and Pearl Extracts. I have my Elf one and an Estre Belle on the go just now so won't open this yet. I love lip scrubs and use them all the time.

This box came with a different Rosemine Blam in Mint Tea this time and I popped it straight in my bag, these are quite nice texture and last a good while although I do prefer stick versions.

Lastly another Vivito item the Dessin Solution Lip and Eye remover, it's oil based and you need to shake it up first. I decided to try it on a maybelline 14 hour lippie that I like but don't wear often as I find it hard to get off, this stuff really does do the job so can't say fairer than that.

This was a great box for me as I am a bit addicted to lip blams and scrubs and if another lip box comes out I would definately buy again.




Memebox Luckybox #11

According to the info card this box is packed with the top rated and best selling products in K-Beauty history! That's a big statement to make. Is it true, I have no way of knowing.
This box also came with an email telling me the Cheek Room Lip Balm had been replaced by YET ANOTHER Revecen PURPLE foundation! That put me off straight away.
Here's what's in the box.
6 Products so guess it was a special box if that's right, can't exactly remember the difference between those and normal boxes.
I got two doubles in this box the dreaded purple stuff and the Yeon Jeju Hallabong Serum which I don't mind so much. I actually really like anything Jeju and I do use this stuff plus anything with Vit C and I'm happy, quite like using this in the morning and it's really refreshing when you have a hangover!
I was quite keen to try Too Cool For School as I've heard good stuff about them so McGirly Good Morning Rice Wash can go in my hangover kit too (I honestly don't drink that much but at this time of year you can never be too careful) why McGirly though, the Scottishness coming out there?
Miss En Scene Perfect Repair Treatment Pack suits me down to a tee. Love hair products so happy to slather it on and wrap my hair up for a while and see what happens. This has a very nice mature scent for a Korean hair product.
Okay bling bling is not my thing! so not sure about Dr G Bling Bling Cream, suppose it's a shiny BB cream? However! can I say anything excites me about this? Yes, two words, Hyaluronic and Rose and on that basis I will give this stuff a good fair trial before dismissing it. I'm getting quite a BB stash so I am going to have do some trials and a write up soon.
Revecen. I am not even going to talk about.
SoyBIO+ Fermented Lumpoule, the title alone reminds me of those rotten hundred year old eggs that are meant to be a delicacy. So 'lump' and 'ampule' combined gives us an ampoule made from a lump of fermented soya bean, tasty! These are so little 5ml that instead of the recommended 2-3 drops I'm going to use a whole one on one of those dry face mask sheets. I bought a pack of these a while ago and have been meaning to make up my own solutions for them so reckon this was made for the job!
Luckybox? eh maybe, not totally but it's ok. If I ever see anohter one of those puple pots again though I won't be held responsible for my actions. Come on Memebox, even a different colour would be bearable!



Memebox Special #69 My Pouch Essentials

What's in your make up pouch? Bursting with daily beauty essentials, no more lugging around heavy make up bags, perfect touch ups throughout the day!
You get the picture, this box is offering just enough to keep you going on your travels. Would I call them essentials, probably not, the only two things I always carry with me are hand cream and lip balm. Is this a box to wow me, no not really but I do like a couple of the products..
For being a special box I have to say I was a bit meh when I opened it, it's saving grace was that instead of the usual weird random colours in make up boxes I actually got wearable shades.

Hanskin Bio Origin Royal Ampoule BB with SPF 30 was the first thing I tried. Royal for royal jelly, ampoule I'm guessing due to the dropper bottle? This has zero coverage as a BB and quite shiny on me, guess I'd compare it more to a primer. I did put foundation on top but even then I couldn't really see any major effect.
On the other hand, (excuse the lameness of that) the hand cream from Kwailnara is great, it's buttery but not greasy and melted into my hands. I have builders hands! not really, but living in a very cold place they just suck up noisture and I like this cream, it's got a nice understated muskiness to it so not sickly at all.
Never tried Tony Moly concealer before but I do like Appletox but who doesn't. There are 2 of their products in the box, concealer and an eye crayon. I got natural beige, so it's perfrect for me. I used this under my eyes. Firstly, it's thick and creamy and blended really well but on the downside it highlighted too many imperfections. I covered it with my usual Mac powder but even then I wasn't that struck on it. I liked the coverage so will play about with it more. The eyestick I really love, have two more of these so knew what to expect. They are great as an all over base, can be blended and take powder on top of them well, they also don't crease much on me.
I have another Rosemine Vit E lip blam that I've used a couple of times that has a more vanilla foody  taste to it but this one is floral and I don't cope well with perfumey scents on my lips so will swap this one out.
Witch's Pouch, hmm not convinced! for a start what does the brand name say about it, something an old crone would carry her spell book around in? I got a coral colour which I'm not against but it's a tiny little thing that I'd never find again in my pouch so whatever....
All in all not the best effort I've seen, luckily I got a big reduction on this one or I would be mad as it isn't shouting out at me.


Monday 8 December 2014

MEMEBOX SPECIAL #81 THE NEXT BEST THING IN SKINCARE

I can't stop looking at the contents of this box, not only is it a well filled one but full of the most unusual items and quirky bits.
No card this time, not sure if that's another indication that MEMEBOX are shutting up shop on the box side of the business, instead a link which I have been unable to get working, this link is also meant to have a promo code.

What's cool in this box well for starters these Night Miracles

They are packaged up to look like an egg and a mango and the pack splits in two to reveal what looks like the egg yolk and mango stone. They come with very cute tiny scoops that you mix the cream and serum together to create your own sleeping pack. Tres chic!
How about this for a bottle of serum, Hologram Collection Active Gen Serum claims to firm the skin with crystal emulsion and twisted nourishing essence, pass me the kryptonite.....

The Green Tea Seed Magic Balm smells fresh, the only english on it says it helps hydrate the skin whilst the Dr MJ Moisture Bounce Collagen capsule cream is for sensitive and tired skin which will come in handy at this time of year. The box also contains a hydro gel MemeMask and a pack of 6 Blithe Patting Water Pack in Yellow Citrus and Honey, Green Tea and Purple Beryy.




Not including a card is a bit of a pain as info is limited to a few bits of english on the packaging but that aside this is a brilliant box and the best one for me so far. I'm not that bothered if they stop doing boxes as I'm already widely buying from a variety of internet shops now but if they get exclusive products that may draw the buyers in especially if we will be seeing things such as these.



Wednesday 3 December 2014

MEMEBOX Special #61 Volume Up

Have to admit when I think of volume I think of hair so was surprised by the contents of this box..

First thing I picked out was the 803 Cream and what did I get but the breast one, now the card says each of these, choice of breast or hips is designed to target different parts of the face, then goes on to say apply to the targetted areas of the body, confused.com. There is also a wrinkle cream version of this which I have bought from someone so will wait and see the difference. I am happy to have this cream and will put it to good use this party season. Love the retro girl in glasses design!

Of course volume would include a hair product Mise En Scene 2X Curling Essence is an adorable leave in conditioner, it won't replace my Silk Scarf ones but I would buy this again if I happen accross it.

Naturally the box has a Enesti Ultra Volume Mascara, very impressed by this Enesti is a great brand. I'm not opeing it as have so many opened just now but by the look of the card the curved wand appeals to me.





2 lip plumping products Tony Moly Kiss Lover Lip Plumper in 02 Hoot Mint, whilst I love mint not sure if I can deal with the sparkle effect of the liquid. Also Pureplus+ Lip Treatment Milk Bebe to add to the Honey one in the Dry/Sensitive box, again pack with collagen so thumbs up lip plump from me, will use this when I do my lip exfoliating.

Mizon Water Volume Aqua Gel Cream, yet another product enriched with Arctic glacial water, I love this concept, arctic water being pumped back to Korean makes me laugh. Ok not so dramatic but I really enjoy these sort of things, I will probably use this one as a toner.

The last thing I picked out I won't use, it will be a stocking stuffer Shara Shara Glitter Pearl Powder WHO1 Snow White, at my age I don't even contemplate highlighting with such a shiny powder round my eyes.








MEMEBOX #57 For Dry&Sensitive Skin

OK I love the opener on the card - Chances are you suffered from dry skin and FAKING, yes can relate to that. This box is all about locking in moisture in the bad weather and apparently 56% of us have dry and sensitive skin and it gets worse as we get older, nice way of putting it MEME.

This box excites especially The Yeon Jeju Hallabong Energy Mild All-in-one Serum woo what a mouthfull! Love anything from Jeju and orange scents and flavour and the Hallabong is apparently and orange only grown there, the list of food in this makes me want to drink it, Kiwi, Broccoli Orange and for a minute I did wonder but no it's a face serum, have slapped in on for about a week now and re-ordered it online, absolutely love the smell and feels lovely on the skin.

Pedison Nutritive Infusion Cream is a body cream and I used it yesterday after a bath, it sinks in quite quickly and didn't feel sticky afterwards. Pleasantly surprised as I still felt moisturised this morning.

A soap, not something I've seen in a box before and not being a soap user will probably give this away Zamian Trouble Skin Handmade Soap Ac'xxi contains honey though and I can't resist the stuff so swithering about it., It's a nice big bar too and the honey can been seen in the orange chunks.

Also in this box ANACIS Triactive Dermatis Intensive Cream is a moisturiser even safe enough for babies, a last step application in skincare routine.  

Migabee Botanical Moisture Mist, love it, an all over body mist, Korean mists are amazing, among my favourites Etude House Belle Dress! Also include is a Pureplus+Lip Treatment, mine is the honey one so they got that right! love these too also have a milky one.


MEMEBOX Special #59 Scrub 2


Scrub 2 according to Meme is to restore, resurface and polish the skin by blasting away debris!
 I honestly need to start putting more thought in the guessing game when ordering. I use Glycolic Peels so whilst I am charmed witht the box contents I will use those for the rest of the body and gift the face ones.
Beauty Firm Rubbing Jelly Scrub is lovely, used on elbows, knees , heels it has a plastic bristle top so you can really work it in and it smells great, I noticed my elbows were really soft after but you would really need to use it every couple of days I notice. Pure Smile Jewlery Scrub Amethyst really intrigued me when I opened the box, I mean amethyst powder, really, smells yummy and the sugar gets right into the skin, made me feel really scrubbed, would definately go for this range again. Ddung Family Peeling Gel, family as in everyone can use it I suppose, nice smell and consistency but I won't be testing it out, have heard good things about this brand though, will gift this on.

Yet another foot peeling pack Skin Freyia not heard of them, what can I say that hasn't already been said about these, have tried the Tony Moly ones and they do work so as I'm not in need of this treatment right away I will add this to me pack stack. Tony Moly Black Sugar Scrub, anything with sugar is right up my alley so after I finish the Skinfood one I will compare and report back. Lastly ProYou S Special E/B Creamy Peel suggests it's a 'gommage' (In French 'to erase') if I remember correctly is the kind of peel that rubs off so you would rub it off your skin, think these sort of things were used before acid peels. I may give this a go when I'm on a break from the Glycolic.

All in all not a bad box with ssome interesting products.