Yeah, that is somewhat late... Please don't judge me, I still have a lot of articles that I should have wrote earlier this year... These are just mini-reviews of some products I finished last year and still haven't talked about.

Bioré - UV Face Milk SPF 50+ PA++++, 5/5

I have already finished 2 or 3 bottles of this, I believe this is the first sunscreen I ever bought that was solely for my face and it was recommended to me by my sister. This is an all time favorite for oily skin. Unfortunately, my skin has been getting dryer lately, but I still used it during the hot Japanese summer. It has a nice matte finish and it never broke me out. It might have a slight white cast but it disappears quickly. It also doubles as a primer and gives a powdery finish to the skin. Would recommend for normal to oily skin.

Hadalabo - Gokujyun Essence, 3/5

I was desperately searching a cheap serum when I was in Japan and stumbled accross this. I really love the Gokujyun lotion from Hadalabo, so I thought it was a pretty safe bet. Alas, I was pretty deceived by this product. It just doesn't feel right, it was too goey and sticky for my liking, even more so if you live in a humid climate. When I was dabbing my skin I could see strings between my face and my hand. It has the same smell as the Hadalabo lotion, which is a very light fresh scent. I think the formulation is not the best, even the performance is not terrible, it was really a chore to finish.

LuLuLun - Cream Mask, 4/5

I have already complained about this product on my instagram but long story short I was just extremely deceived this was not a mask, but rather a cream specially formulated to use after you did a sheet mask. Otherwise this was a really nice, lightweight fresh cream that would be perfect for normal to oily skin. It hydrates but that's about it.

DHC - Lip Cream, 4.5/5

How CUTE is the packaging? I use lip balm all day long, I go through them pretty easily. This one is on the thicker side. I really liked using it, the packaging was also a huge plus since I've had some people asking me where I bought it. The only thing I did not like is the taste (who has never gotten lip balm in their mouth seriously?).

Etude House - Proof 10 Eye Primer, 2/5

I was not a huge fan of this eye primer, it was quite patchy even when I patted it on my eyelids. It did not provide coverage unfortunately so I probably won't repurchase. This is why I put it in my Panproject. Right now it is far from being empty but I just can't access the sides of the bottle, although it is pretty, it is not the most practical packaging.

Innisfree - The Minimum Moist Cream, 4.5/5

This was a good facial cream, made to avoid any kind of irritation. It held its promise, but as a consequence it was a bit boring, some soothing ingredients would have made it a little more fun. I would say it is best for normal to dry skin. Sensitive skin approved.

Daiso - Eyebrow Gel Clear, 5/5

I really liked this one. It lasted almost a year surprisingly, despite the small size. It made my eyebrow a little stiff, but at least they would not move even if I rubbed them, for a dollar, you can't do much better.

The Face Shop - Air Cotton Make Up Base, ?/5 just not for me.

It took me so long to finish this. I had to put it in my Panproject before it went bad because it has probably been over 2 years since I've had this. This was my first try at color correcting, it was nice, but most days I would just forget to use it. It did fade the redness but when I put too much it could make my face look sick. That was not a bad product, I just don't think it's for me. My redness aren't equally dispersed on my face, but rather look like two stripes on my cheeks so I would rather put something more pigmented but on a smaller portion of my face.

Crazy Rumors - Red Velvet 100% Natural Lip Balm, 5/5

Loved this one till the end. It really does smell like cake, I prefer it over the one I am using now which is the Cinnamon Bun one, which smell more like plain cinnamon to me.

... I can finally throw them out now... Though I still have more recent empties.

When I went to Japan last year, there were a few products I stocked up : sunscreens and oil cleansers mainly. When I think about those two categories, I think Japan. I have rarely been deceived by an oil cleanser or a sunscreen that came from Japan.

I have bought many products from Bioré, it's a brand that I like, even though I have to be careful about the ingredients as it's not always made for sensitive skin. I was thrilled to learn that it was going to be sold in French supermarkets. However I am quite sad that they only sell acne care products. I hope the success of the brand will make them expand their range though.

I had already heard about the Bioré Perfect Oil even before I went to Japan, it is budget-friendly favorite for many Japanese beauty lovers already and I wanted to try it for myself. Let's take a look at the claims:

"Bioré Cleansing Oil effectively dissolves and removes stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, while lifting away dirt and impurities. Unlike other cleansing oils, it leaves no greasy film on your face and maintains the skin's natural moisture balance. It does not emulsify upon contact with water, thus maintaining its optimal cleansing performance at all times. Just apply with dry or wet hands and rinse off with water for that clean and fresh feeling!" (From the Bioré Malaysian website)

Packaging

- The Juicy Shaker is a glass bottle with a shaker shape. If you shake it you can hear a ball inside. When you open it the applicator is a big cone-shaped sponge. It does not directly dip in the product, there are just three tiny holes so that each time you get the perfect amount according to the brand. Personally I don't need to shake each time. The oil and pigment separates when you don't use it for a few days, that is normal! It contains 6.5 milliliters of product, generous for a luxury brand.

- The Lip Tint Syrup comes in a plastic container. It feels a lot lighter. The shapes and curves are very feminine in my opinion and I like the gold metallic parts. The doe foot applicator is thin, flat and straight. Just like the Lancôme, it is supposed to give you the optimum amount of product for one application and to follow the natural curves of your lips... ? A straight applicator to follow the CURVES of your lips? Um ok canmake...



Claims

- From Sephora's website: "Juicy Shaker’s bi-phase technology delivers the first pigmented lip oil with two distinct phases. The first phase features a transparent oil for a comfortable, non-sticky shine. Formulated with a blend of five nourishing oils, it treats your lips like a lip balm. Peach kernel oil, a well-known emollient, softens lips while sweet almond oil conditions, apricot oil hydrates, and cranberry oil provides rich antioxidant properties. Muscat rose oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids, helps to soothe your lips. The second phase provides pigment for a touch of color. Shake the bottle like a cocktail shaker to emulsify them together. The cushion applicator enhances application by delivering the perfect amount of non-sticky shine and a sheer tint of color to lips."

-From Canmake's website: "A completely new syrup-like texture, which moisturizes without stickiness. We've taken pains to create a comfortable, dry-touch texture, while minimizing the uncomfortable stickiness and sliminess that tends to increase in proportion to moisturizing ability. This syrup spreads lusciously over your lips, ensuring that you can enjoy lip make-up without worrying about hair or clothing sticking to your lips. Color stays on even after eating. The color actually gets brighter over time, so it stays firmly on your lips. The precise color will vary between individuals. Provides a naturally rosy look. Gives lips a natural sheen that looks like you're not wearing any make-up at all. The color develops as though your lips are gradually becoming rosier from within, creating a gentle look."

Swatches & Longetivity

Top shade is Canmake in #02 Strawberry Suryp Bottom shade is Lancôme in #151 Cherry Symphony

First impressions

The textures are very similar, they are an oil based product. In fact I could use this in lieu of a lip balm, they are extremely comfortable. I don't really understand why Canmake called its product a syrup, it's not really the texture you want for a lip product, it sounds sticky and gooey while it is not. I am not sure whether you can see it or not on the photo on the right, but the Canmake lip syrup (on the right) is slightly thicker.

For both products I took a darker red shade because there would be more pigmentation and a longer tint effect. But the shades I chose are not matching, therefore I won't be discussing them in terms of color, even though you could probably find each of Canmake shades in Lancôme.

I think Lancôme's claim are on point, it really feels lightweight yet moisturizing, gives a sheer color to the lips and a little shine. Neither of them are sticky. I don't agree with Canmake's claim that it will survive eating, it won't. I don't even understand how the color could intensify but that may be poor translation ... ?


Did I like them?  &  Are they good dupes?

The advantage of the Lancôme Juicy Shaker is the wider range of colors. Canmake unfortunately offers only four shades. The Lancôme is lighter and a little bit more gritty whereas the Lip syrup is a little more gel-like and more glossy. I have a slight preference of texture for the canmake but the Lancôme packaging is sturdier and holds more product (although I could not find the exact amount for Canmake, It's pretty obvious there is less product when you compare the sizes).

I also prefer the Lancôme applicator which allows a better gradient effect and since it is bigger it makes the application faster and easier. Though for some the packaging could be bulky and not as cute as the Canmake. But the straight and thin doe foot applicator is just not as fun and not nearly as practical as a regular one unfortunately.

The color payoff gives a super cute feminine and natural look which I personally love. I also don't mind reapplying often so for me, it's a win. Both have a light fruity smell which I find pleasurable.

I can't say they are exact perfect dupes BUT they are close enough that I use them interchangeably. So if you don't want to spend US $25 for a lip oil, I would suggest you to try the Canmake one, which is roughly US $12. (I bought mine on Ichibankao)

Would I buy them again? Yes, I like them both. I took the Lancôme Cherry Symphony but I was torn between another shade: Mangoes Wild. I would also like to get two other shades from Canmake.

This Enzyme mask is one of the item I received in my nomakenolife subscription box from July.