Tatcha Aburatorigami (review)

A couple months ago, I was lucky enough to win a packet of TATCHA Aburatorigami from Phyllis over at MakeUpForLife.

I've always preferred using Japanese-brand blotting sheets because it just seems to work the best for me. I've given a few a try.. some by NuSkin (which work pretty well, but is kind of hard to get a hold of).. Shiseido (sent to me as a gift).. and the CVS brand ones (equal to clean and clear??) that seem so popular.

If I had to rank them by how well they worked, I'd probably say Tatcha/misc Japanese brands, NuSkin, CVS, then Shiseido. But hey, my face is a total oil slick ;P

I took pics of the sheet as I used it (prepare to be grossed out--possibly--the bf was grossed out when I was taking pics of it and asked why in the world people would want to see a used blotting sheet, hahahah). I've been meaning to do a comparison but I kept forgetting! Sorry! So you'll just have to wait... maybe I'll post more of these things as I go ;) haha.

The unused sheet.. yes, it has little gold flecks in it (supposedly helps with the blotting powers). The other misc Japanese brands I've tried also have this quality--

Whoops. Found the little packet. The brand is called Hiyori and the sheets have more of a gold/beige tone to it, so maybe the gold is more ingrained in it. I happen to have the purple pack--I don't know what the differences are (gah! need to up my Japanese-reading-skills!). I bought mine in JP for 500YEN in Kamakura, if you were wondering -- but I'm sure they can be found all over JP.

Just the nose and around the nose area...

Getting in the forehead area

All done blotting, and the sheet is almost entirely translucent! Ugh! ;P

PRICE-WISE
The price may be a little steep.. $12 for a packet of 30, or $30 for a packet of 90 (technically 3 packs). That works out to be either $0.40 each or $0.33 each. But hey, they always have free shipping! And if you're into appearances, the packet is quite cute in my opinion... and the sheets themselves look the most luxurious. If you're impatient with waiting for shipping, you just might be lucky enough to have a retailer near you that sells them -- they have a list of retailers on their website.

CVS is $5.99 (at drugstore.com) for 50 sheets = $0.12/ea

Shiseido comes in at $17.00 for 100 sheets = $0.17/ea

And.... of course I can't find a price for the NuSkin ones (sorry!) = N/A

Hyori comes in at 500YEN for... gah, no idea how many. It doesn't say on the package!

However... I think you get what you pay for!

It seems like the CVS ones work their best in really oily spots... because whenever I blot, it seems to work in patches. Shiseido.. I don't know. It just doesn't really seem to work for me; I use them and still feel a little slick; maybe it's a mental thing because I don't see the oil on the sheet after I blot. I remember the NuSkin ones working well but of course I can't find those anywhere (hey mom! I know you're reading this.. go buy me some more NuSkin blotting sheets! haha).

And you can SEE how well the Tatcha ones work!

The Hyori ones work well but hey, they're located in Japan and their website isn't exactly English-customer-friendly. I'm not sure if any websites like SaSa/etc carry them, but I can't seem to find them... especially since Hyori is also a popular Korean singer/actress, haha! Maybe if you had a hook up in Asia (specifically Japan), you could get your hands on some. But, I also remember them not being cheap either.... quality, man! Quality!

REPURCHASE?

If I had a few extra bucks laying around, I would definitely shell them out to get me another few packets of TATCHA Aburatorigami!

However... if you're on a budget, the CVS ones will work just as well, perhaps you just have to be more patient than I am xD I hear SaSa carries a grapefruit scented Clean and Clear one -- check out Mayaari's blogpost for more info! I found my C&C blot sheets at my local CVS (buuuuut I did snag the CVS brand ones... because if I spent $10 in CVS products, I would get $3 ECB... hahaha). Thooouuuugh I hear they're quite popular, so you may have trouble finding them, haha.

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I wanted to take a second and thank all of you lovely readers ^__^ I noticed I just broke 200! Thank you thank you! I'm waiting to get a little bit of money, but I do want to have a series of small giveaways. I'm thinking they're going to be more existing-comment based (aka to the LOYAL readers)... I know there are people out there who just follow people in hopes of gaining readers themselves.. and people who comment on giveaways just to get free stuff--!

Anyway.. to you loyal readers/commenters.. thank you! Keep your eye out for the details in my future posts (; I doooo like observant people!

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Disclaimer; TATCHA sent me this packet for my own use, expecting no review or anything. I won it through a contest from another website (MakeUpForLife.Net) who also has no expectations of a review. These comments are my honest opinion.

Best Beautymarked? & Tropez Maui Mauve

While going through my collection, I noticed a few similarities.. especially from one of my favorite eyeshadows, MAC Beautymarked. I prefer using this instead of black (ie: Carbon) because it's just.. less harsh.

NYX 143 Eggplant

MAC Beautymarked

*picture is overall slightly warmer than in real life

Tropez 39310 Maui Mauve

* only the top right shade was swatched

Stila Charmed EyeShadow Palette

* only the bottom right shade was swatched

**gift from Catherine (love!)

Kanebo KATE PU-1

* left three shades were swatched

N1 - not sure why I swatched this.. NYX Alaska

N2 - NYX Plum

M - MAC Beautymarked

K - *whoops, mislabeled!* Stila

T - Tropez

K - Kate.. three purple shades along the bottom left

The shades I really wanted to compare..

MAC Beautymarked

-VERSUS-

Stila Charmed Eye Palette

-VERSUS-

Tropez Maui Mauve

* in the same order as the picture above. they all look remarkably similar, no?

Glitter: MAC wins out, this shade almost looks duo-toned instead of black (I think they said maroon? on the MAC site) with glitter. Next is Stila, then Tropez.

Pigmentation: Tropez almost looks like it's the best.. look how dark the swatch is! One swipe, mind you. I think I had to swipe MAC twice. Stila is somewhere in the middle.

Texture: Tropez definitely feels a bit more gritty in comparison to Stila and MAC (both about the same smoothness).

Application: I wiped my fingers onto the tissue paper.. and MAC actually won out! Interesting.. so I guess Tropez is more powdery (sort of like KATE)?

Packaging: MAC wins in terms of a single eyeshadow being put into a 15-palette.. by itself, your collection can get kind of cluttered. Tropez is next, since it's slightly more sturdy-feeling plastic than the cardboard-esque packaging that Stila is in.

Overall, I think MAC Beautymarked is actually.. the best Beautymarked there is!

UNLESS we're talking about price/value!

In terms of price and value, the Stila palette was $28USD for 4 shadows ($7 per eyeshadow), the single MAC eyeshadow is $14USD. The Tropez palette, I'm actually not sure about the price since it was given to me as a present.. but it can be found at drugstores, and I can't imagine that it costs more than $8-10USD, plus you get 6 shadows. I think Tropez definitely wins out in this category; then Stila, then MAC.

In my own personal collection, I don't think the Tropez palette stands out enough for me to want to keep it (in efforts of uncluttering my collection).

The lovely looking cranberry shade is actually much more brown than I would've imagined, making it more of a mahogany--though it does have some very pretty silver microglitter. And the pretty peachy-champagne shade can be pretty easily duped (though not EXACTLY.. Tropez's shade is slightly more pink) by Wet and Wild "Fine Wink".

I swatched the Stila shade to show you what I sort of wanted the Tropez shade to look like--except darker, of course.

As for the lilac and salmon-esque pink in the Tropez palette.. I don't see myself reaching for those colors very often (as I'm not a big pink fan). BUT, I do have to say that this certain pink in the Tropez palette tempts me.. hahaha.

Overall, the Tropez "Maui Mauve" palette is a GREAT buy if you're starting your kit or you don't have like colors.. but for me, I think this is a pretty clear one to be phased out--check for it on my blogsale (will be updated soon)!

Reviews: Sunscreen, moisturizer, upcoming

COLORESCIENCE SUNFORGETTABLE SPF30 SUN PROTECTION

my dermatologist recommended that i use a sunscreen daily.. since i wasn't (GASP!). this is in a powder form (obviously) and is also the sample size that i received from the store. the actual full size is $50 per so i had to be sure that i liked it, haha!

the sample size is .08 oz and comes with a sifter, as pictured.

the full size is .23 oz and comes with a brush. BUY HERE.

the shade pictured is "almost clear".. which definitely acts like a bronzer for my bf (unfortunately i don't know his MAC shade, hahaha!). pre-tan, it also acted as a slight bronzer for me (about nc35-37). post-tan.. i don't really notice it as much, but even pre-tan it wasn't that big of a difference. there's 6 different shades.. you can see it on the WEBSITE. it's not their actual website.. i think it got hacked or something? safari keeps warning me before i go to open it :( so who knows.

it's really quite easy to use. i go through my normal face primer/bb cream/concealer/maybelline dream matte powder.. then add on a layer of this, then go to my blush/contour/highlight. i found if i did blush/etc BEFORE i put on the powder, it basically erased my efforts, hahaha.

apparently the full size takes a very long time to go through.. my derm. said she and her 2 girls use it daily and it's been about 6 months or something ridiculous like that. i don't know the ease of application with the full size, but i'll let you know in a week or so when i have money to go get it, hahaha.

i had this sample size and used it basically daily (definitely some days where i didn't go out, so i didn't bother) and it's finally almost done.. and it's been about 6 weeks! so you can see, you don't really need that much powder for a full face application.. and i was putting some on the back of my hands as well.

it goes on nicely and feels just like any other powder. the only time i've really had to test it's durability, i was gardening and was dripping sweat.. sooooo.. i don't know if that's a fair test for it, hahaha. i can say at least that it wasn't dripping off, it was definitely me wiping my forehead for it to come off.. and that may have been some of my other makeup as well.

overall.. i really, really like this product. the bf does too! hahaha. and the shade i got gives him a really nice tan :) i'd say if i were to get a full size (well, when i do) that i'd get CLEAR.. just because i don't always want to look bronzey. but i haven't quite decided yet. might go back and see if they have the other colors in the sample shades.. or if i can get some to have a GIVEAWAY.. oh what? :P we'll see what the store has to say.

SCENT: little to none. none of that typical sun-screen smell.

USAGE: sample size is very easy to use. don't know about the full size, will report back later!

PRICE: 4/5.. lasts a long time but still, a little pricey for me.

i'd give it a (temporary) 5/5! i'll be doing some UV-reflective photography next week thurs so i'll test how efficient it actually is. so be sure to check back for that official review and the imagery!

NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE SUNBLOCK LOTION SPF45

i've had this for a couple YEARS and also bought several bottles. i have 2 currently and probably gone through at least 1 bottle if not 2. got this mostly because i was playing tennis (team tennis for high school) and.. actually, i think my mom got this for me. probably because it says it WON'T CLOG PORES! woohooo :)

it has that strong typical sunscreen smell but it definitely fades.

it's easy to use. of course i had one in my tennis bag so it separated.. but if you shake it enough, it's OK. and in normal room temperatures, it shouldn't separate. i use about a dime to nickel size for my face and neck and the back of my hands. it feels a little greasy when you first apply it but then it sinks in and feels natural.

i've been lazy about applying makeup since it's so hot and i don't want my face to melt off so my daily routine has been primer - sunblock - concealer - powder - contour/blush/highlight. it makes a nice surface for the powder to stick to, sort of like the BB.

all in all.. if i was really responsible with money, i would definitely just keep using this sunscreen instead of spending $50 on the powder one, hahaha. BUT you know, i'll ask my derm if one is "better" and we'll see from there. but as far as i'm concerned, this has a higher SPF rating and works well, and is MUCH cheaper.

you can find it at any drugstore for around $10 i believe :) i don't actually know how long it takes to go through one bottle but i can assure you it takes awhile, and back in my tennis days i was using it on my arms, legs, etc. as well and i wasn't eating up bottles or anything.

OVERALL 4.5/5

i'm not too fond of the scent but it fades away pretty quickly. i haven't seen an increase in whiteheads/blackheads so i assume it's keeping up with its promise that it won't clog your pores. this also doesn't make me break out OR cause my rosacea to flare up.

i'll be doing some UV-reflective photography next week thurs so i'll test how efficient it actually is. so be sure to check back for that official review and the imagery!

COSMEDICINE HEALTHY CLEANSE FOR OILY SKIN

i believe i received this from WHIT (correct me if i'm wrong) in a swap :D i used it once then forgot about it (counter is so small, i can't find some items if i'm in a hurry!! so lame).. so i went back to trying to use it after my recent realization that i have horribly oily skin in the summer.

you apply it onto a damp hand and it comes out as a foam (i only used one pump).. then you apply it on to your dry face. it's kind of weird at first.. but.. you get used to it. after you rub it in (focusing on your trouble areas), then you rinse it off with water and continue the rest of your facial care routine.

i'm not quite sure what it smells like.. something medicinal.. i'm not in love with it but i wouldn't stop using it because of the scent.

maybe i'm really picky but i didn't see an improvement in my oilies when i was using this product.. then again i only used it for 4-5 days then stopped because it just wasn't doing anything for me. it worked fine as a cleanser though :)

OVERALL RATING 2.5/5.. so far! i'll keep trying!! and will report back in a month (or whenever i run out, haha).

WUZZY also did a review and it seemed to work for her though! so do give it a try :)

HIYORI.. blotting sheets (bought in japan)

these are really, really awesome blotting sheets. and man, i don't know why i uploaded this since i haven't done a comparison (btwn this and my nuskin blotting sheets.. which i can't find at the moment) or pics or anything.

consider this a REVIEW IN PROCESS! :P

*EDIT.. just kidding. i started writing this entry last night but got caught up talking to HOLLYANNAEREE (girl, you distracting!!) and decided to take a pic.. tonight.

here's my nose/cheek area.. just ONE sheet. you can KIND OF see just how bad my oilies are at the moment :( the entire sheet is aallllll oil. OIL SLICK! i just applied moisturizer/etc i would say.. about.. 1 to 1.5 hours ago. i wouldn't say my eating habits are more or less healthy, i think it's mostly the heat, if not entirely the heat's fault. i HAVE been eating much less rice though.. hahaha! i don't think that would change anything :P

i'll come back to this review (and probably post a new entry about it) comparing it to my nuskin blotting sheets.. when i can find them :(

they work super well though! as you can see. and i'm down to 2 sheets! just enough for a review, eeeekkk :( I WANT MORE!! sucks that i bought it in japan though :( blegh.

YES TO TOMATOES FACIAL HYDRATING LOTION

as the bottle says, it's meant for oily/combo skin.. PERFECT for me, right? i purchased this after making friends with the girl at the cosmetics counter at walgreens (yess! drugstore items!).

i'd have to say one of the best features is the SCENT. it may be a little strong for some but it's fine for me, since i actually like the scent. it's.. hmm.. something between floral and fruity (haha! i'm so bad with classifying things).. pretty sweet in general, but not quite so "candy" sweet.

i purchased this in mid-may and was using it daily and was trying to get the boyfriend to use it daily, since he has pretty dry skin too. i'd say i have about 3/5 of the bottle left. that's not too bad. you can purchase the bottle at walgreens (i haven't seen this at longs drugs/CVS but then again i haven't looked) for $14.99.. so it's not the cheapest item but it's definitely a good price, IMO. BUY HERE!

it was working really well for me when it wasn't quite so hot. my skin felt pretty soft and hydrated and i wasn't getting very oily. but when the summer months rolled around.. either my skin changed, or something. i had a huge dry patch on my chin that i couldn't get rid of, though the rest of my face was fine. i noticed after i stopped using this daily, i became more oily, EEP! may start using this again and see if my oiliness goes back down again.

the one thing i didn't like about it was it didn't sink into my skin 100%.. it still left my skin feeling slightly tacky, even after rubbing it into my face for several minutes.

OVERALL.. the scent may be strong for some but i like it. i'd say you might go through one bottle (if you use it once or twice daily) in about 2-3 months? but don't quote me on that. i give it a 4.5/5.. i'll keep using it and will get back to you on the oil control :)

MOISTURIZERS!

the reason why i have so many is because my skintype is oily/combo.. but a month or so ago i developed a huuuuuge dry patch on my skin, and i had no idea why. the first moisturizer worked fine for me but since it wasn't doing anything for the dry patch, i figured i should try other moisturizers. as a note, it's almost gone but that's mostly because i scratched at it and it scabbed over.. etc.. neosporin is awesome :) haha.

ONTO THE REVIEWS!

YES TO CUCUMBERS FACIAL HYDRATING LOTION

i bought this initially for the boyfriend, since he has dry/normal skin. i believe he actually preferred the "yes to tomatoes"! since it has different ingredients, it smells different.. reminds me somewhat of the bath and body works "cucumber melon" scent, except less strong. i started using it because i thought maybe my skin had changed somehow (WRONG!), and i prefer the "yes to tomatoes" scent as well. i'd say.. it smells.. cooler. does that make sense? haha.

at first, my boyfriend thought the yes to cucumbers felt more oily when he applied it but after a few minutes, he changed his mind. i agree. i just swatched it onto my arm to see if there was any difference between how the two sank into my skin/felt while applying.. but it's the same. it still has the slightly tacky feeling.

i can't really do a very thorough review on this since i mostly use the YES TO TOMATOES since it fits my skintype better. from what i remember, it didn't do quite as good of a job holding back the oilies, but you know.. that's not what it's really for. since i don't use this, i'm debating on putting it up on my blogsale.. or maybe sending it off with the boyfriend when he goes on his 2-3wk long trip. we'll see :)

OVERALL RATING.. pending. i'll have the bf give me some thoughts (if he'll cooperate) after he comes back from his trip (july 30th to august 16th). based on scent and oil controlling abilities, i'd give it a 3.5/5 but this is NOT accurate since i didn't use it for very long.

NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE MOISTURE FOR COMBINATION SKIN

this is my current moisturizer.. i started using it after not using moisturizer for a few days. i do like how it sinks into my skin after being massaged in.. and feels smooth/natural again. i however do NOT like the scent.. it smells sort of.. plastic-y.

as i've only been using it for a few days, i'll make a more official review later :P

just wanted to show you guys what i've been using, and see if any of you have suggestions/etc for me T__T; or tips on reviewing or if you'd like any other information to be included, etc..

hope this helps!! :)

PACKAGES, KBM REVIEW, RANDOM

BLOGSALE PACKAGE FROM LADY L!

what a cute packageeee! hahaha. i lllllove it.

O__O why can't we have palettes like this over hereeeee? it looks PERFECT for lazy people like me who don't want to spend time and figure out what shades would look good together.. hahaa. 

oh sooo cute :)

blogsale purchase.. BOOYAH! not sure what i'm gonna do with the pink one.. HMM.. we'll see. did a FOTD with the grey one but looked at the pics again today and decided.. noooooot gonna post 'em. i look VERY tired and VERY red.. ick. but it applied really nicely, though i had to pack on the color a little more since it seemed a little powdery. maybe my brush  just sucks (totally possible). 

THANKS L!! :) love ya!

BLOGSALE PACKAGE FROM JENN (BEAUTYMOOGLE)!

extras?? O___O;

"to swoon for".. pretty shade :D put it on my lips and the bf liked it too!

other purchase.. yeayuhhhh! :) silky smooth! haven't done a FOTD yet but i shall!

thank youuuuuuuuuuu jenn! :D i loveee it. i nomnom'd that giant pocky in about .2 seconds, LOL. 

KEVIN BEAUTYMAKER AQUA EYES CONCEALER

IMOMOKO - $13.39 (BUY HERE)

difference, eh? i'd say so :)

VERY easy to apply, VERY creamy, VERY smooth. works really well :) i wasn't sure if it was long lasting, because i either nap, roll around on the bed or terrorize the napping bf.. but at the end of the day when i wash my face, my dark circles become VERY apparent. so, yes.. it is long lasting. for the price, too.. very nice :D

also recommended by JAMILLA and FUZ!

i bought shade 3.. and it matches me well (nc 35-37). i don't use it for a concealer on the rest of my face though.. well.. haven't really tried it. been too busy running out the door to make it to class on time. and it says EYE concealer anyways ;) maybe that's a hint. 

veeeery pretty sunset! had a beach fieldtrip for my psych class.. teacher is aawesome! 

i also got packages from EKI and BIRKINBAGBEAUTY.. butttt.. the pics are on a camera that i STILL can't find. boo!! soon girls, soon! i promise! 

NAOMI'S CONTEST LOOK!

weeeoooooo :) finally did a contest! hahahaa. 

NAOMI'S CONTEST PAGE IS HERE! CHECK IT OUT!

contest ends on the 25th so get your entries in! :D

don't forget to subscribe to her--she has an awesome blog :)

my steps. click to enlarge :D

BASE FACE

kevin beautymaker aqua eyes concealer

kevin beautymaker aqua color controller (green)

revlon colorstay foundation

neutrogena concealer

skinfood mushroom bb cream

CHEEKS

milani blush in luminous -- VERY pretty!

mac blush in harmony (contour)

EYES

benefit creaseless cream shadow/liner in stiletto (thanks diana!)

benefit creaseless cream shadow/liner in "flying down to..." (thanks diana!)

mac single e/s in phloof! (thanks steph!)

nyx single e/s in eggplant

mm palette in br799

maybelline full n' soft mascara

sephora liner

LIPS

sally hansen lip inflation (i actually really like this.. smells good, pleasant tingle, works)

dior lipstick in orange spotlight/sensation coral (thanks fuz!)

dior lipgloss in clutch pink (thanks kristine!)

TOOLS

maquillage eyelash curler

sephora heated lash curler (thanks fuz!)

ecotools full face brush

posh angle blush (yes blush, not brush)

elf blending eye brush

ecotools (nameless)

thanks to the BF for all my pics today (except for what i used).. used my DSLR 'cause i'm missing my point and shoot :( boo! and he decided to go all out with lighting, hehee. and thanks to the roomie for holding the light (on my face). 

THOUGHTS
for the first time wearing eyeshadow/real makeup in a WHILE.. i think i did a pretty good job! ;) of course i didn't add on falsies like i was planning.. mostly because it was late and i'm tired (thus the eye bags). hope you like! :) 

on KEVINBEAUTYMAKER products: i didn't think the green did much but helped. the concealer is VERY nice, very creamy (i adore the texture). unfortunately, with this horrible lighting and me being tired, you can't see past my eye bags LOL! -__- fail.

on BENEFIT CREASELESS: they are suuuuper creamy! i thought the pinker color was going to be too pink and that i wouldn't like it.. but that wasn't the case at all. i of course haven't worn it for a long period of time, nor do i plan to (gonna wash my face asap after i finish this post!).. but as for my initial thoughts, they're very pretty and very easy to use!  

NAOMI'S CONTEST PAGE IS HERE! CHECK IT OUT!

contest ends on the 25th so get your entries in! :D

don't forget to subscribe to her--she has an awesome blog :)