Posted on by VQP. usu BEAUTY

Review: April & Ko Haul #gifted

Hello and welcome back everyone!

Today I’ve got a very exciting post, as some of you may know I received some Korean skincare products* last month. I have been trialing these products for the past month and now it’s time to review.

I was kindly gifted these by April and Ko, a K-Beauty store based in Sydney, Australia. I am such a big fan of K-Beauty products, so I was so thankful for April and Ko reaching out to me about this great opportunity.

For those unfamiliar with April and Ko, they stock a lot of cult favourite Korean brands – Klairs, Klavuu, Innisfree, Laneige and more! They also do free shipping for orders over $70AUD, within Australia AND there are free samples included in every order! Seriously, who doesn’t love free samples.

They also have a blog on their site, which can be accessed here, with some very useful information – such as an introduction to the Korean 10 step skincare routine.

Jump on the site now to have a look for yourself!

April and Ko sent me products that were aimed at my skin type (oily), the products I received were:

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine:

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine pads manually and chemically exfoliates, resulting in smoother, clearer and brighter skin.

Resveratrol, the main ingredient, originates from red wine and is a powerful antioxidant with helps prevent free radicals from pigmenting and forming wrinkles.

The unique 3-layer pad technology, combined with lactic acid, helps slough off dead skin cells and penetrates deep into pores to remove excess sebum and debris.

Directions:

Slip your fingers into the pad so the criss-crossed side is facing down. Gently swipe in circles all over dry face and neck, working up to your forehead. Switch to the soft, quilted side and wipe away remaining debris. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Use twice a week or as needed.

Ingredients:

Water, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Tromethamine, Benzophenone-5, Wine Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Tartaric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 42090, Alcohol Denat., PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Carbomer

First Impressions:

The packaging it comes in is huge! At first, I thought there was only Korean instructions, but once you feel off the plastic, you’ll see English instructions on the back. I found them a bit hard to read due to the fact that the packaging is see through and the text was in white. The pads themselves are huge! You can go in the gauze side first, and then with the softer/embossed side. I really liked how I could slip them on my fingers, it’s really convenient.

After I exfoliated, I washed it off and my skin already felt smooth. The products I applied afterwards just sunk into my skin.

What I like:

  • The size of the pads

They’re massive, I liked to use them on my neck afterwards as well.

  • Exfoliated

My skin felt so smooth after using them.

  • Design of the pads

Like I mentioned in my first impressions, it’s really convenient. I wish I could use them more than twice a week, because I just love the design.

  • Long lasting

This should last you about 3 months. There are 30 pads, but you’re recommended to use them twice a week. So roughly you’d use at least 8 pads in a month. Which is pretty worth while.

What I don’t like:

  • Nothing

I really liked this exfoliator!

Overall:

There are two others in the range – green tea and lemon. Once I finish this one, I might try the others. I really liked how worth your money these are. Firstly, the pads are huge and conveniently designed. Secondly, you only use about 8 in a month, which means they can last you a while. Lastly, it’s a fun way to exfoliate, there are so many different kinds of exfoliators out there – physical and chemical, exfoliating pads, exfoliating peels, the list goes on! Just remember to wash your face once you’re done, otherwise you’re just leaving dead skin cells on your face.

Highly recommend for those looking to tighten and brighten their skin.

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask:

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is enriched with Jeju super volcanic cluster capsules to effectively deep cleanse and shrink pores in addition to absorbing sebum.

As the capsules burst, the AHA ingredient exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, resulting in smoother, softer skin. The cooling effect of the clay rejuvenates and refreshes.

Directions:

After cleansing and toning, apply the clay mask evenly to your face. Avoid eye and lip areas. Leave on for 10 minutes and gently rinse off with lukewarm water. Follow with essences and moisturiser.

Ingredients:

Water titanium dioxide, butylene glycol, volcanic ash, glycerin, silica, trehalose, kaolin, bentonite, polyvinyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, zinc oxide (cl 77947), glyceryl sterate, cetearyl alcohol, juglans regia (walnut) shell power, camelllia sinensis leaf extract, citurs unshiu peel extract, opuntia coccinellifera fruit extract, orchid extract, camellia japonia leaf extract, pvp, peg-100 stearate, polysorbate 60, stearic acid, palmitic acid, hydrogenated vegetable oil, xanthan gum, iron oxides (cl 77499), zea mays (corn) starch, sorbitan stearate, polyacrylate-13, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, lactic acid, polyisobutene, menthoxypropanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, polysorbate 20, iron oxides (cl 77491), disodium edta, phenoxyethanol

First Impressions:

It comes in a small pot and the designs are really cute! The pot mostly has Korean, but there are English instructions on the box. It has a clear, plastic cover between the product and the lid.

As I normally apply my masks with a brush, I tried to dip my brush in and it wouldn’t budge! I felt the product and it was hard, so I recommend everyone apply this with your fingers/hands. It feels like actual clay and you can definitely get a lot of uses out of this, despite the small size.

It dried fairly quick and washed off nicely, but there was still some bits that were still on my skin. I recommend going in with a toner afterwards, just to ensure you get rid of everything.

What I like:

  • Packaging

Super cute packaging, always a plus in my book!

  • Effect

I’ve used this a few times now and my skin feels really smooth after using it!

  • Product amount needed

You really don’t need a whole lot with this, you want a thin layer so it can dry fast too.

Unedited – swatch

What I don’t like:

  • Messy

It can be a bit messy washing this off, besides that, I can’t really fault it.

Overall:

I’m really impressed with this mask. I’ve never tried anything from Innisfree, but I had always heard good things. This mask is really good and I recommend it to anyone with oily skin. I use it 2-3 times a week, and it leaves my skin feeling smoother every time.

I think this’ll also last at least 3 months, you don’t need a lot of product as I mentioned above, so it’s worth the investment.

Plus, it’s a fun mask – clay masks are so interesting!

Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturising Lotion (With Birch Sap):

Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturising Lotion (With Birch Sap) is a lightweight formula enriched with 70% Birch Sap to hydrate, calm and soothe sensitive, irritated skin. 

It is easily absorbed with no greasy residue, making it perfect to use under make-up. The oil-free formulation helps prevent acne breakouts while also quenching dry skin.

Directions:

Apply 1-2 pumps evenly after cleansing, toning and treatments. Follow with SPF (daytime) or as a last step at night.

Ingredients:

Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol,1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Lactate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

First Impressions:

Firstly, I love Cosrx products, I’ve been using a lot of their products so I had high expectations of this…and this definitely exceeded my expectations! It comes with a pump – always convenient. It smells like lemonade to me, it’s just a really nice scent, but someone had pointed out to me it might just be the smell of tea tree oil – if that bothers you, don’t worry, it’s really faint. This is super lightweight and is really moisturising – lives up to its name.

What I like:

  • Smell

If you ever get your hands on it, I guarantee you that you won’t be let down by the scent! Smells amazing.

  • Pump

I love the pump, it makes moisturising that much easier.

  • Moisturising

It’s really moisturising. I like to use 2-3 pumps for my whole face, sometimes I use 3 because I moisturise my neck as well.

  • Lightweight

Because it’s a lotion, it’s super lightweight and I love lightweight moisturisers.

  • Oil-free

Any oil-free products are a plus for me, as an oily skin girl.

Unedited – the lotion and after absorption

What I don’t like:

  • Honestly, nothing

Overall:

This has definitely become my new holy grail moisturiser. The more I use it, the more I love it. I really recommend this to those with dry skin – because it’s really moisturising and those with oily skin – it’s oil free and easily absorbs into the skin.

As it states above, it’s great under makeup!

Tony Moly I’m Real Makgeolli Mask Sheet (Skin Purifying):

Tony Moly I’m Real Makgeolli Mask Sheet (Skin Purifying) is a 3-layer pulp mask soaked with Rice Ferment Extract for maximum hydration and moisture replenishment. 

Directions:

Best used after cleansing and toning. Carefully unfold sheet mask and smooth onto skin, carefully avoiding eye and mouth area. Remove after 20-30 minutes and discard. Pat remaining essence into skin.

Ingredients:

Purified water, Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Perfume, Dipotassium Glycyrrizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Disodium EDTA

What I like:

  • Packaging

I really like how vibrant and cute the packaging is.

  • Affordable

Really affordable face mask, it’s about $3AUD.

  • No sticky residue

Some masks I’ve used, my face is left feeling sticky after using it, but this doesn’t do that!

What I don’t like:

  • Didn’t have a lot of serum

It could’ve used a bit more serum.

  • Sheet mask could be larger

It juuuust fit my face, it was a bit small in the mouth area.

Overall:

Really nice mask, despite the things I didn’t like, I think I would still purchase it. I’d also like to try the others in the range.

Tony Moly I’m Real Broccoli Mask Sheet (Vitality):

Tony Moly I’m Real Broccoli Mask Sheet (Vitality) is a 3-layer pulp mask soaked with Broccoli Extract for maximum hydration and moisture replenishment.

Broccoli is rich in nutrients as well as vitamins such as vitamin A and C.

Directions:

Best used after cleansing and toning. Carefully unfold sheet mask and smooth onto skin, carefully avoiding eye and mouth area. Remove after 20-30 minutes and discard. Pat remaining essence into skin.

Ingredients:

Purified water, Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Perfume, Dipotassium Glycyrrizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Disodium EDTA

What I like:

  • Packaging

Once again, the packaging is really cute.

  • Ingredients

I’ve used a broccoli mask before and it was mixed with blueberry extract and found that it was really nice and gentle on my skin. I’d love to try more broccoli skincare products.

  • Sheet mask fit

This one fit better than the makgeolli mask for some reason.

  • Affordable

All the masks in the range are about $3AUD.

What I don’t like:

  • Not a lot of serum

Once again, this one could’ve used more serum IMO.

Overall:

I liked this one better than the makgeolli one I reckon. The fit was better and I really liked the ingredients. I’d still recommend this to everyone, because of the affordability. I would purchase this too!

Thank you so much to April and Ko for sending these to me, I really enjoyed all of these products and will purchase new ones when I run out of my current ones!

That’s all for this week, thank you for reading another one of my posts. Which of these products do you want to try the most?

With love,

Irene

*These products were sent to me for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and I am not being paid in anyway to post about these.