I recently came back from a trip to Stockholm to help my mom get ready for an apartment move. And at the same time, I turned one year older and decided to treat myself to a few new finds! It’s mostly K-beauty stuff from Sephora, but I also got some things at & Other Stories.
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& Other Stories | Chamrey Micellar Water + Miami Muse Hand Cream
I must admit, my fascination with micellar waters has gotten a little out of hand—I now own about seven different kinds, including at least three travel-sized ones!
My interest in the Chamrey Micellar Water came from its formulation, which includes cornflower water (a favorite ingredient I recently wrote about) and chamomile flower water, known for its excellent soothing properties. While it does contain perfume, the fragrance is very mild. With the calming floral waters, this micellar water feels like a great option for normal to slightly sensitive skin.
Performance
I haven’t tested it on waterproof makeup, but it performs just as well as the other six micellar waters I own. Its only drawback is that it can feel a bit tacky on the skin, so it’s not the type of micellar water I’d leave on without rinsing. However, since I use micellar waters as part of a double cleanse, this isn’t a major issue for me.
Would I Repurchase?
I purchased the travel size to test it out before committing to the full size, and I could see myself repurchasing it. I also noticed that & Other Stories offers an anti-stress serum and moisturizer, both of which have impressive ingredient lists for sensitive skin—if only they were fragrance-free. Thankfully, most of their skincare line is only mildly fragranced, unlike their body care products.
Miami Muse Hand Cream
I bought this hand cream during a particularly harsh time for my skin in Stockholm — my hands (and lips!) were so dry they looked decades older. Carrying this little mini hand cream in my purse was a lifesaver, bringing much-needed relief to my parched skin.
Performance and Scent
The cream’s scent is pleasant but borders on overpowering, sometimes causing a headache before it fades. That said, its formula is impressive, packed with natural oils and butters, with shea butter prominently listed among the top ingredients. It absorbs well, leaving my hands hydrated without any tacky residue.
Despite these positives, I wouldn’t repurchase it solely because of the strong scent — it’s just too much for me.
Thoughts on & Other Stories’ Beauty Line
& Other Stories deserves some recognition as a brand that unexpectedly incorporates a lot of “green” ingredients into its products. I rarely hear green beauty bloggers mention them, and I think that’s a missed opportunity. While there’s more to green beauty than just using natural ingredients, this brand shouldn’t be overlooked.
If given more attention, their beauty line could evolve into something even better. That said, it’s frustrating that so many of their skincare products include perfume. While they seem to target a slightly older audience than their sister brand H&M, the overuse of fragrance doesn’t feel very grown-up.
On the bright side, much of their makeup line is fragrance-free! I’m curious to explore more, especially their:
- Luminizing Palette
- Radiance Cream
- Lipsticks
Erborian | CC Créme + Glow Créme
I first discovered Erborian at & Other Stories, where they stock a few rare brands alongside their own. Intrigued, I picked up the CC Créme. Later, while browsing Sephora, I spotted more of their products and decided to try the Glow Créme as well.
CC Créme
What initially drew me to the CC Créme was its promise to magically adjust to your skin tone while feeling light and natural. I opted for the travel/deluxe sample size rather than committing to the full-sized product right away. This allowed me to test how my skin would react (in case it caused breakouts) and to ensure the store’s lighting hadn’t deceived me. I can’t stress enough how much I appreciate these little travel sizes!
This CC cream does adjust to your skin tone, though not always perfectly. On my mom’s skin, it melted right in, matching her shade flawlessly. On me, however, it tends to shift slightly darker than my skin tone and leans more beige than yellow. Surprisingly, it still works, giving me a healthy glow/tan without looking unnatural. That said, I understand why they later introduced a lighter shade, Clair, for fairer skin tones. Personally, I don’t mind the slightly tanned look.
In terms of performance, the Erborian CC Créme effectively covers redness, evens out skin tone, and softens the appearance of blemishes, all without feeling heavy. It also provides a luminous, natural finish that blends seamlessly into the skin.
SPF Protection
The CC Créme includes SPF 25 with the following active ingredients:
- Octinoxate 6.00%
- Octisalate 2%
- Titanium Dioxide 4.97%
- Zinc Oxide 1.92%
It does contain perfume, but the scent is subtle and barely noticeable — unlike the Glow Créme, which has a more distinct fragrance.
Future Plans
I’m curious to try Erborian’s BB Cream, as I’ve heard great things about it too. Unfortunately, when I visited Sephora in Stockholm, it was out of stock. It’s definitely on my wishlist!
Glow Créme
I picked up the Glow Créme because it reminded me of the new BECCA First Light Priming Filter, thanks to their shared lavender-toned base. However, the Glow Créme is much more subtle compared to BECCA’s primer, which is noticeably shinier.
Performance and Effect
The lavender sheen in the Glow Créme creates that trendy holographic highlight effect, giving your skin a radiant, hydrated, and healthy look. It’s similar to the glow you get from Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Cream on freshly cleansed skin (which I love!), except this dewiness stays even after the product has dried and absorbed.
This versatile product can be used alone or as an illuminating primer under foundation. While it doesn’t have strong blurring properties, I find it works well for both purposes. It’s particularly effective for adding a touch of luminosity to matte bases, like matte sunscreens. Personally, I’m not a fan of matte finishes — they often make skin look dull and aged. For me, the Glow Créme has been an absolute lifesaver!
Final Thoughts
I haven’t experienced any breakouts from using either the Glow Créme or the CC Créme, which is always a relief. Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed with both products — they’ve earned a spot in my routine!
Dr. Jart+ | Water Drop Moisturizer + Premium Beauty Balm + Micro Water
I could barely contain my excitement when I discovered Dr. Jart+ stocked at Sephora! Naturally, I gravitated toward the K-Beauty A BB C’s Kit, which included two highly coveted products: the Premium Beauty Balm and the Micro Water.
Why I Chose This Kit
I’ve been eyeing the Premium Beauty Balm for ages, often debating whether to purchase it from iHerb. However, its limited shade range (I believe iHerb only carries Medium/Deep) always made me hesitant. Considering the price, it felt too risky to buy without trying.
The inclusion of the Micro Water was the cherry on top — I’ve been eager to try it ever since I got hooked on micellar waters. The fact that both products came in a travel-sized kit sealed the deal for me. I simply couldn’t leave Sephora without it!
Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer
The first step in this kit features one of Dr. Jart’s bestsellers: the Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer. Described as a lightweight and refreshing moisturizer, it transforms into tiny water droplets upon application. This formula reminds me a lot of Clinique’s Moisture Surge. It starts as a water blob and then melts into a gel-like fluid that feels incredibly hydrating while sinking right into the skin.
Key Features and Ingredients
This moisturizer is designed to address uneven skin tone and provide a brightening effect. It has a silicone-based formula but includes several notable active ingredients:
- Arbutin: Skin brightener.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Deep hydration.
- Green Tea Leaf Extract: Soothing and antioxidant properties.
- Gotu Kola Extract: Healing, soothing, and antioxidant benefits.
- Argireline: Skin-restoring properties.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C): A stable, brightening form of vitamin C.
My Experience
I’d say this moisturizer works well for all skin types, though it may not provide enough hydration for those with very dry skin. Personally, I’m still undecided about it. While it’s lightweight and sinks in beautifully, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling as hydrated as some other moisturizers I’ve tried.
That said, the value is hard to ignore. At $36 for a full-size 100ml tube, it’s a fantastic deal for this type of product. If you’re looking for a lightweight, brightening moisturizer, it’s definitely worth considering!
Premium Beauty Balm SPF45
Dr. Jart+’s Premium Beauty Balm goes beyond typical BB creams by delivering skin-brightening ingredients alongside high sun protection.
Key Features
This BB cream stands out for several reasons:
- High Sun Protection: Formulated with Titanium Dioxide (9.015%) and Zinc Oxide (6.035%), it provides broad-spectrum SPF45 without chemical sunscreens.
- Fragrance-Free: Approved and recommended by Beautypedia, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
- Brightening Ingredients: Similar to the Water Drop Moisturizer, it includes skin-beneficial ingredients that enhance your complexion over time.
- Preservatives: It does contain parabens, which I personally don’t avoid anymore, but it’s worth mentioning for those who prefer to steer clear.
Performance and Shade Match
I was initially worried about finding the right shade, but this BB cream blends seamlessly into my skin, leaving a lovely, luminous finish. Compared to the Erborian CC cream, they’re quite similar, but I find myself preferring this one. Not only does it even out skin tone and conceal redness, but after removing it, my skin feels like it’s been subtly improved by the ingredients.
That said, it leans on the more moisturizing side, so I wouldn’t recommend it for oily skin types. For those, Dr. Jart+ offers the BB Dis-a-Pore Beauty Balm, which might be a better fit.
A Boyfriend’s Testimony
In my quest to find a tinted sunscreen for my boyfriend — who dreads the “ghost-face” look — I had him try this BB cream. Compared to W3LL People’s Bio Tint, he felt this one had a more natural finish, even suitable for work. I agreed; it blended nicely, smoothed his pores, reduced redness, and gave him a more awake and polished appearance.
I couldn’t help but notice how much more confident he felt wearing it. He joked, “You’re giving me complexions!” but admitted that it looked great. It’s moments like these that highlight why we wear makeup — even a little can make a big difference in how we feel.
Final Thoughts
While the neutral beige shade works well enough, it isn’t a perfect match. I’d love to see a wider shade range in the future. Despite this, the formula is exceptional. Not only does it make you look like the best version of yourself, but its skincare-infused ingredients also improve your skin over time.
Dr. Jart+’s Premium Beauty Balm embodies the concept of hybrid skincare and makeup. It conceals and protects while working to restore and enhance your natural complexion. Over time, it may even help you feel more confident, embracing your bare skin — an idea I wholeheartedly love.
Dermaclear Micro Water
I’ve been curious about this product ever since diving into the world of micellar waters! The 50ml travel size may not be the most generous, but it’s enough to get a full experience.
My Micellar Water Journey
So far, I’ve tested about seven different micellar waters, and to be honest, they often blur together in terms of effectiveness. None have been truly bad, but it’s hard to single out a favorite. That said, Dermaclear Micro Water feels different — like it stands out from the crowd.
Performance
This micellar water picks up significantly more makeup and impurities on the first swipe compared to many others I’ve tried — even Bioderma’s Sensibio, which is a cult favorite for good reason. The Micro Water feels like it goes the extra mile, leaving skin feeling exceptionally clean and refreshed.
Concerns and Final Thoughts
While it does contain citrus oil, which may be a concern for some, I always follow up micellar water with a second cleanse, so it doesn’t bother me too much. It has a mild, fresh scent but seems otherwise fragrance-free.
As for its additional skin-beneficial ingredients, I’d need more time to evaluate their effects. But overall, the takeaway from this is that I’ve been thinking about buying the full size!
Have you tried these products, or are any other from Dr. Jart?
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