Memosne: 2017

Blast from the Past

Hey there! Feel like I haven't been updating recently? You're not wrong! I have been posting more recent updates on my Instagram and my Youtube Channel. Take a look:


Here's my most recent video about blackheads, sebaceous filaments and pore strips. Let me know what you think!

If you've already watched the video, here's a link to all the products mentioned so you can get your nose smooth!

*CosRX BHA Power Liquid: http://amzn.to/2pOxkvJ Dr. Pore Colloidal Clay Mask: http://bit.ly/2jUxbHA *DHL Deep Cleansing Oil: http://amzn.to/2r9XvRd

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Box

So I keep on mentioning that Tony Moly has adorable packaging, but I haven't showed you any of their products that actually adhere to this rule. Well, today that's all going to change.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Box and Package

Here's a member of the Tony Moly "Egg Pore" line, their "Tightening Cooling Pack." I actually purchased this thinking it was the "Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm." It wasn't. Which isn't to say that it's bad! Both products come in very similar packaging with the only difference being the color: white or brown.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Package

It just had a different application than what I wanted. Like most people on this planet, I'm constantly looking for a product that will rid my nose of pesky blackheads. I've heard fantastic things about the "Black Head Steam Balm," but that review will have to wait for another time. The cooling pack's primary function is to minimize pores, tighten skin and restore elasticity.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Open Product Package
Look at that attention to detail!
Let me start off this official review by saying there's no way to truly minimize your pore size. According to science, and Google, your pore size is genetically predetermined, so I didn't go into trying out this product with those expectations.  Instead I was thinking about its oil controlling properties, acne fighting properties, and overall skin health.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Package Shot and Product Shot

First thing that I immediately notice, the texture is WEIRD. It's aerated clay. It feels very spongey and has a bouncy texture. You don't be able to sink your fingers in, spoon it out and spread it on your skin. You'll have to break it apart and smooth a little "mask nugget" over you skin.

The second thing I noticed was the quantity that you get. I expected the egg to be more than half full of product, but you really only get the bottom third of the plastic egg filled with mask. You only get 30 grams of product.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Swatch

The instructions on the box say to take a "moderate to heavy" amount and spread it over you face for 10-15 minutes or until dry. Then wash off with warm water.

The ingredients include:Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Titanium, Dioxide (CI 77891), Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Vinegar, Egg Shell Powder, Sea Silt, Glacier Water, Perfluorohexane, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose Gum, Perfluorodecalin, Potassium Alginate, Pentafluoropropane, Disodium DETA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance. 

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Test Bare Face

Here's my bare face before the mask. (Super Tired)

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Product Demo Application

Despite the strange texture the mask was easy to smooth on my face. With clay masks I prefer an opaque covering of mask to really absorb all the impurities from my face.


Most of the masks that I use are clay based, I've tried bentonite, kaolin, and umbrian clay, and I find they really help with oil and sebum control. Waiting the 10-15 minutes wasn't unbearable, I just queued up some youtube videos and sat down.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Mask Dry

Unlike the rest of the clay masks that I've had the pleasure of trying, that crack and crumble when they dry, this mask coalesced together and really did feel like it had a "tightening" effect. It was a bit difficult to talk after the mask had fully dried. 

Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack Skin After

After I washed the mask off my skin felt really good. My skin didn't feel stripped, but I did notice whatever bubbling breakouts I had underneath my skin became smaller.

Before and After Skin Shots Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack

This before and after picture is slightly deceiving, as the after makes my skin look more angry and red, but the next morning when I applied my makeup my skin's texture was phenomenal and looked markedly different. Again, I don't think it can "shrink pores," but in terms of acne fighting powers, sebum control and skin refining this is a pretty good mask.

The real drawback for me, is that you get a small amount of product.  On the other hand it retails for $13 so that's not necessarily too bad? The ultimate test is whether I'd purchase it again and yes I would. Despite the small negative of the amount of product, I felt like this mask offered something new and beneficial to my skin.

I hope this review helps anyone looking to invest in this product! I purchased mine from the Tony Moly flagship store, but if you're curious, here's a purchase link below:

Pretty and Cute
Amazon*

Kocostar Foot Therapy - Review


Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Shot

I was shopping at Urban Outfitters when I saw the blue Kocostar Foot Therapy package nestled in with all the Tony Moly goodies they stocked. A friend of mine, who worked for Soko Glam's Klog, did a review a while back on a Faceshop's "Smile Foot Peeling" pack. Intrigued by the foot peeling phenomenon, I had to purchase this pack and try it for myself. Luckily, I was able to force boyfriend into trying it too.

He's more religious about running than I am, but it's safe to say that both of our feet have taken a beating and, unfortunately, we're not very diligent about giving them some well needed TLC.

WARNING: VERY GROSS FOOT PICTURES 

Female Foot Before Photo

Again, apologies for the gross foot pictures, but here are our "before" photos.

Female Foot Before Bottom

Did you know Kocostar is actually a Canadian company? They offer treatments for your hands and nails as well.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Male Foot Before

Active Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Urea, Glycolic Acid, hydroxypropylcellulose, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triclosan, Menthol, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Water, Butylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Taraxa cum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melissa officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus linearis Leaf Extract, Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Water, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed E xtract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Phellinus Linte us Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Porph yra Yezoensis Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Review Male Foot Bottom


Male Foot Close Up of Blood Blister
Look at that gross blister. 
Safe to say that boyfriends feet were in significantly worse shape than mine. 

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Open Shot

When you open up the packet, don't expect it to be like a traditional face mask. It's dry and the little "painter's booties" are self sealed! Cut them open, jam your little feet-sies in and use the tabs to adjust for a tighter fit.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Shot


Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Shot




Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Review

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Review

They were easy to get on, but sitting still for an hour and a half was actually a bit difficult. I'm naturally a fidgety person with a small bladder, so the only advice I would give is go to the bathroom first and turn on Netflix, Hulu, Youtube or whatever floats your boat and sit still.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Application Process

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Application Process

Kocostar Foot Therapy Product Application Process

The hour and a half passed by uneventfully and I didn't feel unpleasant tingling or burning. In fact, I felt nothing at all! Which made me curious to see if the treatment truly worked. Our feet were also pretty pristine after removing the "foot mask" and washing our feet off.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Male Foot After

Kocostar Foot Therapy Male Foot Bottom After

My feet felt a little "tight" due to dryness, but it wasn't unbearable. You can see that my feet are a little red and irritated.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Female Foot After

Kocostar Foot Therapy Female Foot Bottom After

However, we didn't truly see the effects until around 3 days later.

REALLY GROSS FOOT PICTURES 

Male Foot Peeling

Boyfriend's foot had significant shedding and continued on for about a week. He said that his foot did feel softer, but it didn't have any effect on his blister. I think continued use of the foot mask would be more effective.

Kocostar Foot Therapy Female Foot Peeling

My shedding was significantly less, but still there. I really wanted the callous on the ball of my foot to go down or get softer, but again I think one treatment was not effective enough.

Would I buy this again? Yes probably! We definitely grossed out all of our friends, but I think routine use of this foot pack would definitely give you softer feet. However, there's no way to target specific callouses or blisters in this pack (since you're wrapping your foot in the mask) and I would be worried about how the rest of my foot would hold out. I think I would probably use this once a month?

Purchase links:
Kocostar
Amazon*