New to AB Makeup?

My skin type is dry combo and I’m mixed black/white/Latino so I tan super easily. I spent a lot of time in the sun in the last 8 months and had a range of experiences with these. Hope my trials can help save you £€¥$

Hello all! I am back again for another review roundup of my empties. My skin type is quite dry; I used to be (knock on wood) very acne prone but I’ve been on spironolactone for the last ~6 months and it seems to really have knocked it out. My primary skin concerns are indented acne scarring and PIE. I am pale as a ghost.

THE GOOD, BUT COULD BE IMPROVED:

- Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream (2026 reformulation): I posted a review of this product before - I went through two tubes of the old formulation and really really liked it. When I received this latest tube I found that it had been reformulated, I think to remove some botanical extracts, etc. that people possibly found irritating. I couldn’t find the ingredient list of the old product, but I would also venture to guess that the silicone content has been brought way down in the new formulation. It’s not a horrible change and I understand why they did it, but I think the new version is way less special/unique. I loved the silicone-y, primer-like finish of the old one - perfect for AM use - while still being restorative and nourishing. I used the old one AM and PM while I was using tazarotene and I was totally fine. The new one feels like it sinks in better and has a very skin-like finish but doesn’t feel as overall nourishing to me. Overall, this is still one of my favorite lightweight moisturizers but I consider the reformulation to be a downgrade.
- Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream: I get why this is so popular… but it just wasn’t for me. Obviously, it’s huge and cheap which is amazing - I used this freely on my face/neck/chest and a bit on my body. I also really liked/preferred the more matte finish of this moisturizer as compared to my current HG, the GOAT, Aestura 365 Barrier Cream. But - the Illiyoon just has a chemically/plasticky smell that is very unpleasant. It also didn’t feel as moisturizing/nourishing/soothing as my girl Aestura. I stopped being able to use tazarotene while I was using this, though *for now* I am attributing it to my skin changing from the spironolactone - but I am getting ready to try restarting a retinoid with a different moisturizer, so we’ll see. Overall, I wasn’t mad about this moisturizer, but I’m glad to move on.
- Hatomugi SPF 31 PA+++ UV milky gel: I almost put this in a GOAT category because I do think it’s freaking great for what it is. It’s cheap, big, and in a pump bottle for easy application. It has a lovely light but not overpowering scent, and it’s thin and lightweight; just a dream to apply. The only drawback (and it’s kinda a big one) is that it’s only SPF 31 and PA+++, so I wouldn’t use this on my face/neck/chest bc I need to protect ‘em better than that. But this is sooo nice and easy to just slop onto my arms in the morning (and I’m not usually the most consistent with sunscreen on my arms). I will probably repurchase for that purpose unless someone recommends an alternative higher-protection option.
- Wardah Lip Barrier SPF 30: this is an Indonesian brand; picked up this product when I was there for vacation recently. When I first bought this, I thought I had found heaven; I was calculating how many I should smuggle into my bag back home. It’s just super lightweight, not glossy/sticky, with NO sunscreen taste whatsoever. However… it ended up really drying my lips out pretty quickly; I have to alternate it with other more moisturizing lip SPF options (current favorite is the Prequel Lip Visor - but it’s so glossy). This saddened me but also I can’t buy this brand in the US so I guess it’s for the best.
- Nivea Deep Moisture Melty Type: OK this is very nice…but imperfect. It is definitely moisturizing and feels good on the lips, but doesn’t last a crazy long time. It smells nice but has a VERY distinct sunscreen taste (this is my main problem with it). Idk. Let me know if you have other lip SPF recs because I feel like it could get better than this!

THE TRASH HEAP:

- Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+: This is a US formulation so I understand Shiseido is working with limitations here. That said, this has to be one of the worst sunscreens on god’s green earth. The formulators and packaging designers of this product should answer for their crimes. This is a liquid formulation but feels absolutely disgusting to apply and wear. Greasy, never rubs in or dries down, with a greyish white cast the likes of which I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced (as mentioned earlier, I am Casper-esque; I’ve tried a LOT of mineral sunscreens and I’m usually fine). However, THE PACKAGING is the greatest crime here in my opinion. SHISEDO - I KNOW YOU OWN ANESSA SO I KNOW YOU CAN DO BETTER. It has a flimsy flip-top that has just an open hole that the liquid sunscreen leaks out of - no nozzle for a targeted application. This is LITERALLY impossible to apply without getting it everywhere, and you will unavoidably have white crusty stains around the edges of your clothes as this migrates and slops around. I took this big, cumbersome, shitty bottle on my recent beach vacation just to use it up on my body (the one and only redeeming factor is that it is water-resistant). I used the entire thing and hated every minute of it.

My sister just got back from Japan and brought me all these goodies 🇯🇵🎁
Which ones are your favourites? Anything here that you’d recommend I try first? 👀✨

If this type of post isn't allowed, I will happily delete it.

The IG account of this Korean skincare brand called "Nolahour" popped up on my IG feed, and I saw that they were advertising skincare products that take care of pimples so I clicked on their account out of curiosity.

I was shocked to see that all of their posts feature AI generated Korean models advertising their products. I then looked them up on Google and yes, apparently they're indeed a skincare brand from South Korea.

I'm confused.... do they expect people to spend money on their products after looking at these AI generated images? 😅

Also, in the 2nd slide, u can't tell me that that doesn't look like Jennie from Blackpink 😭 they're really using Jennie's likeness to make money without her permission

my skin is also sensitive,i need a good moisturizer that is amazing value for money!ty

this is their ambition palette. only one or two shades are actually well pigmented. All the glitters are really chunky and look really spotted. All of the colours are darker than advertised.

also it feels a bit like a paste, I thought they came in the form of pressed powders but that might just be my mistake.

this was from the official website so I'm not sure if this was a fluke, but from what was posted online it appeared to be a much better quality palette?

considering contacting their support but I wanted to see here if anyone knew if this was normal.

I got one other palette, same deal with all the glitters being the wrong shade and really big + patchy. none of their mattes showed up on my skin tone. I am a bit tan.

Which one will be better for someone with dry sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation?

it seems to me that since the Skin1004 Centella Ampoule started getting some awards and notoriety recently, the “powers that be” decided to add approx. $9-$10 on the price on Amazon and other retailers.

I’ve purchased this ~5 times, each for about $16 or less. Adding $9 to the cost because it got some awards really aggravates me.

(The dip to $12.89 this month was for the Prime Day deals)

/rant

Want to talk about non-AB products? Frustrated and need to rant? Can't wait until Friday to share your haul? Found an amazing deal? Post it here in our (almost) Anything Goes Thread! Remember to adhere to general conduct of the sub and keep it civil. Self promotion, research, and no business rules still apply.

**All personal or basic questions related to your routine or AB products still belong in the Alter-Daily Help Thread.**

i think only this sub will understand me but i opened a new bottle of COSRX toner like three weeks ago and it completely drained in my overnight bag today 🥹 I wanted to cry as these things are getting EXPENSIVE as heck but it izzz what it izzzz 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

Hi everyone,

I’ve had acne for years, finally found a routine that my skin agrees with and no more acne. Now i can’t get my moisturizer anywhere online anymore. It’s the cow brand moist milk. I’m so so so sad and frustrated. I really don’t want to go back to my acne. Does anyone know how to get this in the Netherlands? I’m scared to try anything new. I’ve tried so many moisturizers and everything clogges my pores. I’m desperate! Thanks

I was addicted to this body lotion before I couldn’t find it anymore. It’s mostly the scent I miss, any one know if Illiyoon rebirthed this product under a different name or have other products with the same scent?

A friend recommended this product, saying it’s famous for being a k-pop idol look product.

Ended up getting it as soon as i tried it.

The shine is DIFFERENT🤩🤩
Recommend it to anyone who attempted the k-pop, dewy makeup, but was never satisfied with the shine.

Product name: HERA Reflection Liquid blush, 00 Milky Fizz
Pros: stays on for the whole day, the pigment it amazing
Cons: the price can feel a bit evil for some (but i’d say it’s worth it)

this is not my eye btw. Just to show you what kind of makeup look you can recreate with the product!

I notice a lot of classic Dear, Klairs products are suddenly on sale & that they are bringing in new packaging with more minimal but larger fonts, etc.

Have the products themselves been reformulated? I know the brand isn’t popular here anymore, but I find the Fundamental line helpful for late autumn & winter.

What’s the take on this here? Thanks for your insight!

so like the title says, i am wondering if anyone in this subreddit could help me find something similar to Shocked Kristin (preferably blue). in 2022 i bought these contact lenses from HapaKristin and they are by far the most comfortable, natural looking colored contact lens i’ve ever used… but they are sadly now discontued. i still use the same contacts i bought in 2022 (i have probably only worn them like 10 times throughout the last years, yes i know contacts expire and go bad throughout the years no matter how much you resoak them, im aware of the consequences) and they are still so comfortable and look so natural and beautiful. i often forget that i even have these lens in my eyes because you can barely feel them once they’re in.

HapaKristin in general is my go-to when it comes to buying colored contacts because other brands are generally very uncomfortable to wear in my experience but throughout the last few years they have been phasing out their old contacts which were much more natural looking than the anime-wonyoung style they keep releasing nowadays, which is not really my style.

so does anyone have an answer? attached below are some images of the contacts. thank you for reading!

Hi,

I finally found a shade match for my olive skin tone! It's About Face L2Olive. I want to use a moisturizing BB cream or CC cream with skincare benefits like spf. It's very difficult to find a shade match so if a shade twin can say what shade they use for Heimish Moringa Ceramide BB Cream, Skintific Daily Filter, Purito SEOUL - Wonder Releaf Centella BB, Judydoll - UV Sunscreen Makeup Cream, Beauty of Joseon - Tinted Mineral Dayscreen, etc., that would be very nice! 😭

I tried Missha Perfect Cover (the new red packaging) in 23N and it's a tad too gray, possibly a little too dark. I may be 21N but it looks a bit too light, so hesitant to try. Loved the way it sat on my skin tho :(

Please drop your shade matches in other products pls!

Reposting cause original post got taken down

Makeup inspo pic at the top

I've been trying to get that glassy idol glow you see in fancams. What I usually do is use a milky toner and lots of moisturizer. Then I go in with my foundation, powder, cream/powder highlight and use balms on the bridge of my nose, cheekbones, and eyelids. In person it looked great, on camera it just didn't really show up that well. I have darker, oily skin so I know the results can be different but I'm mainly looking to achieve that glow. Anyone who follows idol makeup artists, what am I missing?

Who is the best authentic Asian beauty/makeup influencer?

I bought this 2aN lip gloss in Cool Up shade 6 months ago and have only used it on a trip once. It was a nice lavender shade. However, yesterday I opened the drawer and saw this... The color of this lip gloss has turned completely green opague, but no strange smell. I do keep it in a cool dry place. On my arm swatch, it looks mostly translucent with a bit of green. Has it gone bad?

Anyone have any leads on a great liquid yellow corrector? I used to use the Armani one before it got discontinued. It was perfectly a thin liquid that you could build under your eyes and it wouldn’t look cakey once you put real concealer on it.

Looking for a higher end brand, elf has one and so does NYX.

Thanks!

Hi!

I’ve been trying to find a blush that looks like the shade I created by mixing elf Suave Mauve with a little bit of foundation. It turns into such a pretty, natural looking muted pink on my skin, but the original Suave Mauve looks way too red on me. 😭

Does anyone know of a Kbeauty blush that has a similar muted pink shade? I’d really appreciate any recommendations!

Want to talk about non-AB products? Frustrated and need to rant? Can't wait until Friday to share your haul? Found an amazing deal? Post it here in our (almost) Anything Goes Thread! Remember to adhere to general conduct of the sub and keep it civil. Self promotion, research, and no business rules still apply.

**All personal or basic questions related to your routine or AB products still belong in the Alter-Daily Help Thread.**