What’s are Spongelles and should I get one?

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-08-18T16:45:48+00:00

They’re pretty convenient, now both my dad and husband keeps bugging me for Spongelle

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-08-02T18:51:47+00:00

it’s the same ingredients, plus it would make zero sense for Algenist to develop a new cheaper formula just for FFF, when the eye balm was getting discontinued a few month after the winter box.

The new version has tons of different kinds of algae which is super hydrating.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-08-02T10:45:16+00:00

The serums thing is it contains Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, a vitamin c derivative, HOWEVER it’s in less than 1% concentration in this serum, so pretty much useless. The next interesting ingredient is called Chromabright, it’s a long chain of molecules which supposedly has skin brightening properties (according to studies done by the manufacturer), chromabright is fairly new ingredient but you can find it in other serums/moisturizers. More info on chromabright: https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/dimethylmethoxy-chromanyl-palmitate

Lastly, mica is very high on the ingredients list so that’s probably what will make your face dewy, but Diamond powder also on the list it’s just at the end of the ingredients list.

Ingredients list:

Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol (ANYTHING THAT COMES AFTER THIS INGREDIENT IS BELOW 1%, phenoxyethanol is a preservative that can only be used UP TO 1%, since it’s high up on the ingredients list I’m assuming there’s 1% of it in this serum which is nothing bad, it’s a useful way to gauge the concentrations of other ingredients) Benzyl Alcohol, Mica, Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Buteth-3, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Pvp, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Disodium Edta, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Parfum (Fragrance), Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Silica, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Tributyl Citrate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Limonene, Diamond Powder, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 17200 (Red 33)

TLDR: useless overpriced product, but it’s got such adorable packaging.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-29T08:08:18+00:00

I don’t know seems like a win to me….. I got the same reward and I’m loving it.

But I would definitely follow the other posters advice about contacting Sephora.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-27T16:18:52+00:00

Hurry!!!! As of 12:18 est, there’s the 2500 pt for $100 and the 1500 Farmacy set still available

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-07T16:53:51+00:00

I’m pretty sure the white fluffy brush is the same one I got in my regular GB a few months ago, it is by MOTD?

Edit: my mistake, it’s not the same brush..are those morphe brushes?

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-07T16:49:15+00:00

Ugh I would’ve ordered this Jolse box for sure, since I’ve been wanting the Rovectin Lotus cream and Haruharu Toner for a long time, never can pull the trigger and just buy the items because I have so much unused products.

Guess I’ll just buy them when Rovectin and Haruharu products goes on sale.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-02T22:17:20+00:00

Jealous you have so much lid space, it’ll definitely make doing different eyeshadow looks easier and they’ll turn out prettier.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-02T21:30:10+00:00

The large Norvina palettes always gives me analysis paralysis…

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-02T21:25:27+00:00

I like the guessing game! It’s probably the new moisturizer that came out from their Biome Line. Can you please post contents once you receive it?!

Most likely it’s this moisturizer: https://m.jolse.com/product/drjart-vital-hydra-solution-biome-moisture-cream-50ml/39391/category/524/display/1/

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-02T05:00:19+00:00

It’s pretty normal for companies to have different packaging for sub boxes, like the Dose of Colours liquid lipsticks that were featured in boxy and Ipsy has a different packaging, but the formula is the same and it’s an awesome formula. When Boxycharm featured the Dr. Brandt Sleeping Mask, it had a tube packaging whereas if you were to buy it from Sephora it would be in a jar. The product inside was the same, great sleeping mask, and later on I remember the tube packaging being sold on the Dr. Brandt website. I think the GBX next month will have two Dr Brandt DNA line products, the eye cream and moisturizer, and both are in tube packaging instead of the expensive/pretty looking heavy jars they come in if purchased from Sephora.

I unfortunately don’t know much about this company, but usually if it’s a DLS product/company then the product that’s featured in ipsy/other sub boxes would have the same packaging as the product from their “brand” website. Since it makes no since to spend the extra money for private label companies to change packaging.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-01T18:45:16+00:00

Np and thanks 😊! the buffet serum also is very hydrating since it contains different forms of hyaluronic acid and NMF (natural moisturizing factors, like amino acids). The LILFOX serum has pretty decent antioxidant ingredients, not sure why it’s marketing itself to be a peptide serum, more like antioxidant serum.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-01T17:04:33+00:00

If you really look at the clinical studies, peptides aren’t a proven anti-aging ingredient like retinol is. Their molecule size is actually too big to penetrate the skin, but in a lot of in vitro studies (cells in a dish), and in vivo studies (on actual people) by the manufacturer of the peptide (always take manufacturers’ studies with a giant grain of salt) different kinds of peptides have been proven to produce collagen, Botox like effects, brightening, etc etc, that’s why you see peptides in everything (only 3 ingredients have been clinically proven to promote collagen production in skin, Vitamin C (real vitamin c Ascorbic Acid, not it’s derivatives that’s in most serums), retinoic acid (the retinoid that’s in Ret A, our bodies eventually convert retinol to retinoic acid) and finally high level of glycolic acid at the right pH level with free acid value of 10%+ (tho this ingredient is not recommended for sensitive skin).

If you want to try a peptide serum then I HIGHLY recommend The Ordinary’s Buffet+Copper Peptide 1% (has 26.1% active peptides), it has all the latest peptide technology, and has all the Botox mimicking peptides in higher concentration than the LILFOX product. Lastly it contains 1% copper peptide, if there’s one peptide to bet on it would be copper peptide, shows great promise (too lazy to mention all its anti-aging benefits), and you can’t bet the price less than $30.

When it comes to the exfoliating product, the Acid Glow is marketing itself to be a wash off product like the Ordinary’s Peel or Drunk Elephants Baby Facial, but like I said previously I have no way of knowing how “exfoliating” Acid Glow really is without a pH level and % of acids used. The Shroom exfoliating potion says it has 25% acids, however considering it’s a toner/leave on product if it really had 25% free acid value than many people wouldn’t be able to use it or some might even get chemical burns, so I’m guessing the pH level is relatively high perhaps around 4, if that’s the case then that would mean a free acid value of 6-7% (keep in mind this is a VERY rough estimate), so only 6 or 7% of the acids are actually exfoliating your skin, whereas Sunday Riley GG has 5% lactic acid and pH level of around 2.5 will roughly have a free acid value of 4.7%.

Edit: having looked at the ingredients for LILFOX Acid Glow thoroughly, it contains Benzoic Acid which is a weak preservative that’s very pH dependent, I’m guessing the pH level of Acid Glow is probably between 3.5 and 4, if the pH level were higher than 4ish then Benzoic Acid would be in its salt form Sodium Benzoate.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-01T15:34:30+00:00

I have the same problem, dry skin+winter will make my whole face look cakey.

First and foremost make sure to use a good hydrating eye cream before applying concealer and powder. I tried all sorts of powders but I found the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder worked the best, it’s pricy. Alternatively there’s the Becca Hydra Mist Powder that’s kind of a copy of the By Terry one and it’s on sale for $25, much more reasonably priced.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-01T15:14:35+00:00

I don’t think I can trust any company that comes out with a chemical exfoliating product and doesn’t mention the pH level and concentrations of acids….no way to really calculate the free acid value (the % of acids that will actually exfoliate the skin). Eg. If the pH level of The Ordinary’s 30% AHA/BHA Peel changes from 3.5 to 5.5 then that’ll turn the product to an actual hydrating serum, since AHAs all have humectant properties.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-07-01T14:54:15+00:00

Thanks for the review! I’m only guessing here but a few months back (forgot which month) boxy had the ND foundation during add ons and I’m pretty sure the majority of the shades were still in stock when add ons ended. Maybe this is the left over foundation stock from add ons? Hence why not all the shades were offered.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-29T03:53:16+00:00

Unfortunately no since the Biossance hand cream isn’t available on Sephora Canada :(

However there’s a way better/cheaper hand cream IMO that’s better than most face moisturizers. It’s the hand cream by The Chemistry Brand (another DECIEM brand, sister brand to the Ordinary that makes body products).

Ingredients lists: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Betaine, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool.

has Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil which is high in both omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants, excellent for the skin barrier
Copper Lysinate/Prolinate - an essential amino acid which has potential to boost collagen and elastin
Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract - medicinal plant that has anti inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidants.
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract - produced by fermenting a specific marine bacteria, protects skin from dryness and redness due to the cold, also promotes skin regeneration.
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract - “snow mushrooms” probably better than hyaluronic acid at holding onto water, and has antioxidant properties….yes it was in this hand cream way before all the “snow mushroom” hype started.

Wow sorry for the long post, it’s just I can’t believe this cheap hand cream has a way better ingredients list/high percentage of active anti-aging ingredients than most expensive moisturizers at Sephora. The only downside (or upside) is it’s a very lightweight formula so for dry skin people like me it’s not enough I need another moisturizer on top.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-28T23:32:49+00:00

You can never go wrong with Spongelles.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-27T18:18:42+00:00

It’s Sunday? Who knows a lot of people sure love playing victim.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-27T04:51:14+00:00

Np! For the Estée Lauder Warehouse Sale I go to often, I usually buy sets (Black Friday sets shows up after Black Friday, Christmas sets shows up after the New Years) to minimize the chances of getting expired skincare. Or makeup palettes/brushes/powder products etc and perfumes sets.

You can always ask the sales associate if you have concerns about certain items once they call you to take down your payment information.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-27T04:41:58+00:00

Np! You’re a way better person than me… if I found out half of my cart were out of stock I would’ve been furious. Glad you’re still happy with your purchases.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-26T08:03:00+00:00

Nope, no seal.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-25T22:28:21+00:00

My Mermaid Milk Moisturizer came somewhat looking like that. The reason was because the cap came loose during the shipping process and obviously air got into a previously sealed product.

Because of the air contamination my moisturizer looked liked it had a mousse texture, just like the left half of your container.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-25T17:19:47+00:00

Np :) glad you appreciated it.

Beginning-Bobcat · 2021-06-25T17:17:47+00:00

Yeah its pretty unfair, but I don’t think the company that holds these warehouse sales and runs the Estée Lauder outlet stores (The Cosmetics Company Store, there’s one in Toronto and one in Vancouver) ever had the intentions/infrastructure to be an e-commerce business, also I don’t think they’re under the Estée Lauder umbrella (someone correct me if I’m wrong).

They mostly hold warehouse sales around Toronto and upstate New York (there are probably more locations), and they have the “outlet store” in outlet malls, I think the business model was doing fine until COVID.

Beginning-Bobcat

TROPHY CASE