natjtan My love of Korean skincare shows no sign on waning! Miin and Sephora keep coming out with new lines and products. Amazon has a great range, I discovered that Narson ships to Spain and now iherb has it’s own K-Beauty range! Thankfully being picky about ingredients and animal testing, I can just keep it under control.
I have just 4 requirements when it comes to beauty. No animal testing, no animal ingredients (though vegan, I eat honey, so honey’s okay. I draw the line at bee venom, no matter how bee friendly it now), no nasty ingredients like parabens, SLS, mineral oil (this one’s sneaky and tricky) and as natural ingredients as possible. With make up I get what I can, skincare it’s easier. I try to avoid products with palm oil, I like orangutans more. Skin type oily/combination occasional acne (which getting better thanks to avoiding coffee and Korean skincare). Skin tone neutral: pink/cool undertones, but thanks to hazel eyes and strawberry blonde hair, warm.
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
If you follow Korean skincare steps in-between toning and serum, is an essence. Not quite a serum but similar it’s concentrated to help fight wrinkles, fine lines, dull skin extra on a cellular level. In other words it helps keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Whitening bit refers to brightening not whitening!
I’ll admit I had to look up what a galactomyces was. It’s a fungi from fermented rice sake. But does it work? I’ve seen a noticeable difference since I started using. Nothing will erase the lines, but it has softened them with my skin having better overall tone and looks alive. It doesn’t feel tight on my skin but I do have to follow up with a serum then moisturiser as my skin feels it needs something more hydrating on. That said it does adds extra hydration. I like it so much, I’m nearly on my second bottle. Cosrx has fast become a brand I like. I have quite a few of their products and most contain very little ingredients.
The Face Shop, Freshian Big Mascara
I’ve found my mascara! I posted a little while back I was having trouble finding a mascara that lengthened, separated and added volume. This mascara does that! The only issue I have is that it can sometimes clog on application, but that’s what an eyelash comb is for! It’s more or less waterproof. It doesn’t run working out or as it’s summer dips in the sea. However I’ve noticed after dips if water gets in my eye (if I’m shopping after the beach only my hair gets wet otherwise my face would scare people!) my lashes clump together and dry together in clumps. This is normal for most mascaras so I overlook this. It’s easily removed with coconut oil. It looses brownie points for containing parabens. I know, I know, going back on my word. It’s hard to find a mascara that doesn’t contain any, especially in Spain. 
Dear Klair’s Creamy & Natural Fit Concealer
This is a one shade fits (sadly not dark tones). I use 2 concealers, this one and one by Nars. Unlike Nars this isn’t an illuminating concealer, but it does a great job at covering under eye bags. If they’re particularly dark, I add some Nars on top. It doesn’t crease into fine lines and stays put most of the day including at the moment extremely sweaty workouts. I usually blend it in with a Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush.
The idea is you blot oily skin with its special sponge that doesn’t remove make up. I used it once and gave it to my Mum to see if she got on with it. I found it removed my makeup and hardly any excess oil. I had high hopes as many make up artists rave about Beautyblenders (I use a cushion compact and still waiting for an opportunity to use the one I have). For the price it’s overpriced more so as I didn’t get on with it.
These are the more expensive sheet masks I have at €3.90 from Sephora. From talking to the girls at Miin, the basic ones (€1.50-€2) are for those who use sheet masks most days. If you use them 1-2 times a week, you use one with a bit more umpf. Side note, I can’t find them online on either Sephora.com or .es, but they’re definitely sold in Spanish Sephoras. These give a more fresher perked up, plumped skin than others I’ve tried. Especially Dry Monkey and Dark Panda. Angry cat made me break out a little on the forehead later. I use them when I feel my skin needs an extra boost or no time for face yoga. Compare to other sheet masks I’ve used they didn’t plucker or crease much, though I still had to tear down the sides of the nose bit for them to fit snug on my nose. I also like that they have cuts around the chin and cheek area to make them fit. Added bonus, they’re face paints for adults! 
I’d like to point out that not all the more expensive ones are better than basic sheet masks. I’ve found some basic ones I like and think to a better job than more pricier ones
Like theses ones. The same price from Sephora, but I didn’t get on with them or like the print on the sheets.
Neogen Dermalogy Canadian Clay Pore Cleanser
I mentioned this a Weekend Friday Favourites and now I’ve had more time to use I kinda like it. The price not so much, but a little goes a long way. It contains micro particles of glacial marine soil, carbonic acid and colloidal clay from West Coast British Columbia, Canada hence it’s name. The micro particles fizz and pop on application! Like most clay mask it eliminates excess sebum, help control blackheads and dead skin build up. It’s a 5 minute fast drying clay mask so it’s great if you’re in a pinch but short on time when your skin feels dirty. I usually use clay masks if I’ve been in the centre or cycling along busy roads. The pollution can really make my skin feel clogged. 
Verdict, it’s great if you leave it on for 5 minutes. Leave it on for 10 minutes I find it drys my skin out. My skin does look and feel fresher afterwards, but I don’t think I’ll repeat buy, mostly due to the price. It’s list of ingredients is long. Seriously long, but packed with natural ingredients.
What’s the one skincare or beauty product you can’t get enough of at the moment?