First venture into Jadilla J

You know that I never can resist a cute Korean (or Japanese) brand... I just have to try something(s) to see if it's just cute or performs nicely, too!


Most of my recent discoveries were on Gmarket when I browsed various sellers or searched for brands I know and found things I never heard of before pop up.

When I spotted some items by Jadilla J I got very excited as they looked very similar to Jill Stuart but for quite lower prices. I decided to order 4 items to try that new brand out (and it helped that each items comes with TONS of extras) but to be very honest I thought probably the items look just cute and like Jill Stuart knock-offs but won't be that great...


But I have to admit that the quality is good and the items are very worth purchasing if you get the chance to (the seller I found selling them is "VOV 제이딜라제이" on Gmarket). Now that I checked the box of the BB Cream I see that the brand is made by VOV Cosmetics which is a very known brand in Korea so the quality should be there and you can rest assured that the products are safe to use.
VOV have a lot of pretty products in their Castledew range in similar packaging to Jill Stuart, Beaute de Kose and T'estimo. The quality is good and Castledew is on the lower end of the price range.

The lineup of Jadilla J is quite small, most products are for the skin (makeup bases, foundations, BB Creams, powders, blushes etc.) but there are lip glosses, eyeliner, mascara and loose eyeshadows available, too.

-Whitening BB Plus SPF30 PA++:


BB Creams are often the first thing I want to try out from Korean brands as I am totally addicted to BB Creams and always looking to expand my stash. It's also a phenomenon that about 70-80% are a good-perfect color match for me which is fantastic as I am most of the time totally unlucky with foundation colors in other brands because most are too dark/yellow/orange/whatever wrong.
Jadilla J sells 2 kinds of BB Creams. I actually wanted to get the one in the pink tube which is called Skinguard BB Plus but on the pics it looked like it's a quite dark BB Cream so I settled for the Whitening BB Plus SPF30 PA++ because it comes in 2 color choices and the lighter one looked like it would suit me.

The product claims:
-Super Sun Protection
-Super Whitening
-Super Skin Care
-Super Makeup
Some of the ingredients I see are: Sweet Almond Oil, Arbutin, Aloe and some other plant ingredients.

The cream has a pleasant lighter texture and applies very smoothly. It evens out my skin well and offers sheer-medium coverage. The color match of color 01 is good for me but it could be a tad lighter. It works anyway so I won't complain.
It has a light scent that's not unpleasant or too strong.
The squeeze tube contains 50ml and retails for 60000 Won (according to the seller) but sells for 25000 plus you get a truck load of (actually useful!) extras.

-Light On Pact:


I got this mainly for the cute very Jill Stuart-esque compact lol. It's a beautiful silver compact with a pale pink tassle attached. The compact is heavy and of good quality and looks posh and elegant.
The powder feels very silky, almost creamy and has decent pigment (sheer-medium coverage).
It has a light scent that reminds me a bit of old lady perfume which I find a bit unpleasant.
There are 3 colors to choose from.


I chose light+++ which is a pale purple color. I would have preferred a pale skin colored powder as the purple can make me look sick. But it's a pretty nice highlighter and nicely counteracts slightly too strong yellow tones in a few foundations and BB Creams I want to use. I use this only on the center of my forehead, chin, nose bridge and below my eyes and this way it works nicely.
Came with a free full-sized refill and a ton of freebies.
The other colors available are light ++ (a yellow-toned light beige) and light+ (a medium yellow-toned beige).


According to the description light+++ is suitable for skintone #13 (the lightest), whereas light++ would fit #13-21 and light+ fits #21-23. So basically a range of about NC15-30 can wear the Light On Pact.
I tried a sample in color light++ but it's a bit too yellow and slightly too dark for me.
The Light On Pact comes with a puff but I prefer a brush as I use this on spots and don't want to use the full coverage strength of this.


Retails for 55000 Won for 11g (according to seller) but I purchased it for 25000 incl. a refill and freebies.

-My Ball Cubical Face Blusher:


This comes in the most adorable cool mauve compact with the JJ logo in the middle. There is a brush included tucked neatly into the cap of the blusher.


The blush has some glitter dusted on the Jadilla J logo but it wipes off with the first use and leaves a soft matte color behind.
The pigment in this is sheer-medium and can be layered. I prefer my blushes on the sheerer side as I can easily overdo it on my pale skin but darker skin-tones might find the pigment unsatisfactory.
This has a very faint scent and applies smoothly with a silky feeling I really adore.
There are 4 colors and I am extremely pleased with #3 Slim Pink. It's a very pretty peachy pink but not too warm or orange. It's a very flattering shade for me.


Retails for 35000 Won but sells for 22000 Won on Gmarket including a bunch of freebies. I already ordered #01 which is a true cooler pink.

-Starshot Powder Cubical Face:


This is a loose glitter in a cute little bottle. The swatches in the Gmarket item description looked more like a loose metallic taupe but it's a light golden beige glitter. It's pretty but I am not a big glitter user so it won't get used all that much. I can see that it would be pretty on top of neutrals or eyeliner for special occasions.


Supposed retail is 30000 Won whereas it sells for 20000 Won on Gmarket incl. freebies like the other items.

The freebies I received are:


-4x Cover Multi Face:


This contains 2 concealers and 1 highlighter and I have to say I love this thing! The highlighter is a sheer golden dry cream, the 2 concealers are a very pigmented and creamy peach-toned concealer and a bit sheerer pink-toned concealer. Both concealers are light and match my skin perfectly (oddly they look darker in the pot and on the pic!). I like to use the more pigmented one under my eyes and the pinker-toned on my cheeks and chin to cover a few red bumps I have there.



-3x Jelly Tint Long Lasting & Cristal:


I am not a fan of lip tints as many have an orangey tinge or go on unevenly. The Jelly Tint is a beautiful pigmented cherry red tinted gel that gives a gorgeous stain that really lasts and doesn't come off easily.
Looks pretty on its own or with a layer of light pink shimmery gloss!
Has a light fruity scent (reminds me of grapes..).
This seems to be full size (looks like a regular large lipgloss tube)

-3x Whitening BB Plus SPF30 PA++:
I received 3 sample tubes of the BB Cream in #1 which allowed me to try out the BB Cream before opening the big tube.

-2x BB Concealer (typo on the packaging: Concerler):


A light yellow pigmented concealer in a regular wand-type tube. It's a tad yellow but works for under my eyes as it's light enough.

-1x Light On Pact Refill in light+++


-4x Cubical Face sample kits in a cute pink box containing:


+Skinguard Makeup Base sachet in Natural Skin Green
+Skinguard Foundation in Bright Skin Tone
+Water For Skin Base in Essence Clear
+Dear Shine Base in Dear Gold Pearl
+Mini Compact of Light On Pact in Light++


+Small folded catalogue

The Jelly Tint, BB Concealer and Cover Multi Face seem to be only available as GWPs as I don't see them listed in the small brochure. But the little pamphlet might be incomplete.
I just ordered mascara and eyeliner, a blush and their Original Pact and BB Cream kit (which looks very different from the rest of the line and is not listed in the small catalogue).

All in all I am very happy with my Jadilla J lot ad will monitor if new thing are being released.
Jadilla J has an official website but I can't seem to find any product lineup or other information to click on.

Some pics from the little catalogue:

Kate Fall 2008 Part 2: Curve Wax Mascara & Rouge Ex

I already reviewed a good part of the fall collection here.


I decided to get the new mascara and one of the lipsticks as I am really loving Kate so I was too curious how the new comb-type mascara and the new sleek black lipsticks perform.

-Curve Wax mascara:


I swear I have never seen such a slim mascara tube! It's not wider than your standard pencil! This also means that the mascara (which retails for 1575 Yen) only contains the miniscule amount of 2.5g (about 1/3-1/2 of what your usual mascaras contain). For about US$15 that's quite little so I don't consider this mascara a steal (however in Japan you will generally pay 20-30% off depending on where you purchase it).

Anyway the mascara itself is pretty nice. It has a thicker drier texture and really holds my curl no matter what. It lengthens and volumizes my lashes quite a bit and goes on really dark black. The comb performs perfectly in covering my lashes from roots to top and keeping them somewhat separated (however, you need a lash comb with this mascara!)
My lashes feel quite soft but slightly waxy when I wear this however they can end up looking a bit spiky if I use more than 2 layers (I rarely do this anyway).


This is waterproof and needs a good eye makeup remover.
I got this in black (I don't know if there are other colors? I don't think so)

-Rouge Ex:


This comes in a sleek black tube and offers you a variety of 12 colors to choose from.
It doesn't have a buttery soft and sheer texture like their other lipstick Rouge Trance S but has more pigment and a slightly drier but still creamy feel to it. I wore mine for about 2 hours before it needed a bit touch-up but I like my lip gloss or lipstick to look freshly applied so I frequently swipe a bit on.


Kate has some of the worst color swatches on their website so it was a bit hard to choose a color I like. I ended up with RS-9 which is a really great pick and I am very happy with it.

RS-9 is a shimmery pink mauve, a MLBB color with added depth on me.


RRP 1575 Yen.

Jill Stuart Fall 2008: Illuminance Collection

I've really become a Jill Stuart fan ever since they started releasing eyeshadow palettes. I got most of them and really love using them due to their pretty color combinations and beautiful shimmery pigmented texture.
Another love of mine are the Mix Blush Compacts as they are really flattering soft blushes with a soft sheen and a fine texture.


So sure I was thrilled to see the new Illuminance Eyes palettes and new Mix Blush Compact Illuminance for Fall 2008. I ended up getting 2 of the eyeshadow palettes (thanks to my dear friend Haru from Rouge Deluxe) and both Mix Blush Compact Illuminance.

The Illuminance Eyes are regular items and not limited so they're easily available from several online shops like Ichibankao or Bobodave. The blushes are limited edition and a bit harder to get...they even were sold out completely in Japan in a matter of a few days!
I got one of my blushes from Ichibankao and one from Bobodave (about US$10 pricier! =O). The only one I see online selling the blushes now is Bobodave.

-Illuminance Eyes:


These have a soft powdery texture with the typical floral Jill Stuart scent added (I would really just leave that out of eyeshadows!).
They are definitely medium pigmented and don't have as much glitter fall-out as the 1st style of palettes had (Brilliance Eyes). I love both color combinations I picked as they're very wearable and pretty.


Please note that the 2nd shade form the left is sheerer and very glittery than the rest even if it doesn't appear so. I would have preferred a normal powder shade though.
The compacts have been made even more prinessy than their predecessors so it might be too much or kitschy for some people. I however love them =)

01 Jewel Dress: Light grayish purple, light pink, hot pink and a pretty gray.


03 Brocade Gold: Light warm pink, beige (which however turn to iridescent pink glitter on me), neutral golden brown and taupe brown (turns cooler on me than it looks in the pan). Very pretty and wearable day colors in my opinion.



-Mix Blush Compact Illuminance:


The case is now even prettier than before as they added some lace designing. Very cute! It comes with the detachable brush like the previous version.
Both colors have glitter designs sprayed on but I am happy that they're only on top as I don't like such chunky glitters in my blush (hence I wiped the glitter off before the first use. Blasphemy, I know!). Each blush consists of 4 colors, one being a highlighter. With a narrow brush you should be able to pick up each color individually but I prefer to swirl my blush brush across the compact and use my highlighter brush to pick up the highlighter shade on the top left of the compact.
The texture of the blushes is very silky and finely milled with good pigment (2 swipes usually are enough for me) and leave a soft sheen (not shimmer or glitter as far as I can detect).
These have the signature JS scent added, too.

101 Platinum Illuminance: This mixes into a fabulous cool pink on me which is very flattering.


102 Gold Illuminance: This leaves a warmer pink flush, and can be transformed more into a peach if I pick up more of the peachy colors.


RRP for the eyeshadows is around 5500 Yen, the compacts are around 4500 Yen but I don't know the exact prices off head, sorry!

Isa Knox Luxian Wrinkle Free Lipstick

So far I only tried 2 items from Isa Knox Luxian and quite like them so I decided to try out one of the lipsticks.


The Luxian Wrinkle Free Lipstick comes in a golden tube which you just have to twist to reveal the color. No caps or something involved as the liptick just glides out. Very convenient!
The tube comes in a yellow gold color which looks tacky and cheap in my opinion. Very dated. I prefer cuter/trendier/simpler styles of makeup compacts and tubes so yellow gold is just not my taste.


Nonetheless the lipstick is quite nice. It comes with an inner care core with the color surrounding it. It's the first Korean lipstick I have found that's not scented (or at least I didn't detect any fragrance). While Japanese brands generally stick with unscented lip products (to my delight) most Korean lipglosses and lipsticks are scented, mostly with some fruity fragrance.


The formula of this is creamy but not buttery or overly soft. It doesn't dry out my lips but I wouldn't really call it super moisturizing. There is good pigment in my lipstick and the staying power is good.
I can't say if this fights wrinkles as so far I don't really have them (*knocks on wood*)

I chose the color W150 which is a bright cool medium pink. It's quite bright so I prefer this with a neutral eye. (looks more muted in the pics!)

Here's a LOTD pic...sorry for the strange angle I took the pic


Costs 18000 Won (at least that's what I paid on Gmarket) which is a moderate price for a brand that's considered more luxurious.

Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer kit (Perfect Lash version)

As you might guess my previous Gmarket order contained a lot of Etude House stuff. I think I have now most of the stuff I am interested from them (and I still want some eyeliners and other small things) and who knows which new things come along!


The only mascara from Etude House I tried was the Vitcara mascara which comes with a comb applicator. I am not that fond of it as it's lengthening, has fibers and just doesn't give any real drama or something so I rarely reach for it.


I was definitely interested in trying another mascara from Etude House so I ordered the new 3 Proof Mascara for 9000 and a lash kit that contains 3 items for 14000 Won.

The kit contains:
-Dr. Mascara Fixer Perfect Lash
-Oh M'Eye Lash Maxivolume Mascara
-Mascara Remover
-pocket mirror (as gift)

-Dr. Mascara Fixer for Perfect Lash:


(this has been updated/deleted).
I have to correct myself. My first guess was right that this is a mascara topcoat to volumize, hold the curl and waterproof the mascara. I was a bit confused as I found different descriptions online some stating it's a lash base some stating it's a top coat. The majority says it's a top coat and the name also was the point that made me think it's one. Anyway, i used it both ways and it works lol. It's a good top coat then and holds my curl very well.

-Oh M'Eye Lash Maxivolume Mascara:


This is actually one of the cheapest mascaras I tried recently (only 4000 Won, below US$4!) and it's a pretty good volumizing curl-keeping mascara! I didn't really expect to like this but it's a darn good thing!
My lashes don't feel super soft when I am wearing this but not hard and crispy either. The formula isn't overly wet which I prefer.
This is waterproof so it holds up really well.
RRP 4000 Won

-Mascara Remover:


A bi-phase eye makeup remover. Gets rid of waterproof mascara really quickly without much rubbing. Also this doesn't sting like some other harsher eye makeup removers I tried.
I am pretty satisfied with this!
RRP 4000 Won

As you see the 3 products add to a total of 14000 Won so the kit doesn't save you any money. But you get a free mirror so it's pretty good for me (and after all 14000 Won isn't a lot for 3 great products).

There is also a kit available with the Dr. Mascara Fixer for Natural Lash instead of the Perfect Lash version.