December 1, 2009

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm Review

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 1

Whoa…been a while since I got on board the Etude House express train. Honestly, nothing really tickled me lately from Etude House so I kinda haven’t indulged. Recently the Etude House Collagen Moistfull Collection released and at first I was like, mmmm do I really need this? But I kinda sorta was swayed because I generally like the Moistfull Skin Care Line plus it just sounded overall interesting especially in the dry Winter air. So that long story is how I came to hauling the entire collection.

Jump for the word!

I know I have alot of new readers so quickie recap. I’m kinda obsessed with Asian makeup and such and when my blog originally started most of it was in fact Asian cosmetic reviews. Etude House is a Korean brand available within Korea and a few select Asian countries (Etude House has come a long way in where it’s distributed since I originally started collecting).

Now….a word on where, how, and who. Many questions I’m asked is how do I get it, who sells it, etc…I don’t honestly know. I have a very nice friend who kindly (two actually) purchases for me from Korea. I suggest hunting around on E-bay for the best price options or MUA or just around online as a few forums are known for doing sprees and such.

With that said….

The review!

Someone asked me just a day or so ago, Muse will you be reviewing the new Etude House Moistfull range and I wasn’t sure if she was wanting the skin care line or the cosmetic line. I indulged in the entire cosmetic line not the new skin care line. Etude House released a base cosmetic collection plus a skin care line to go along with it. I have a slew of the original Etude House Moistfull range which is why I didn’t bother indulging in the skin items.

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 2

Secondly, another thing that deserves to be mentioned, what the heck is going on what Etude House pricing lately? I’m sure my Korean readers can relate. I’m somewhat shocked at the price range on items at the moment. My original introduction to the brand I was paying from $5 to $7 for items but the price has gone up to $10 to $15 or so in some cases. Ha I sound like such a cheapie here but I’m always surprised to pay more when Korean makeup is very inexpensive.

Anyway…you’d rather hear the review wouldn’t you?

The first item I’m reviewing for you is the new Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm. Hello Ellen Degeneres, Etude House wants you to drop that CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation and hook up with them to start advertising the Collagen Moistfull Balm. Indeed, Ellen was who I thought of when I seen this. Basically it’s a copy of Simply Ageless but it’s easier to open (anyone who’s own Simply Ageless understands what I mean with that comment).

It’s a swirled cream foundation that has all sorts of stuff going on in it. Anti-aging ingredients, whitening ones, even an SPF of 36. The foundation itself has a nice creamy formula however it’s “moistfull-ness” leaves much to be desired. I normally like cream foundations but this I didn’t feel the love for. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but it’s actually too crazy light for me. All that whitening isn’t happening for me as it makes me look deathly. On top of this it also sits on the skin rather badly and doesn’t absorb fully making me look like I probably would if a mortician did my makeup. The overall result after use is very dreary, aging, and mask-like…yes, you can very much see that I’m wearing makeup even with a light hand when using this foundation.

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 3

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 4

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 6

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Balm 7

There are a few things that are good about it. The packaging is fabulous as it comes with a big old mirror, a great flip design (covers the foundation when not in use and allows the sponge to keep away from it), and a funky sci-fi looking palette. It also comes with an extra sponge, quite a nice extra.

The price is 16,500…oh my god…very high costing for Etude House my dears. That’s roughly $14 stateside. For the quality and packaging of the palette this is a deal and a half however from an Etude House collector’s stand point it would be considered a tad on the high side.

You may like it if you’re into cream foundations but I can’t rightly recommend it. It really wasn’t working for me. I’ll try again come Summer as maybe when my skin is a bit more oily and less dry the foundation will sit better on my skin but at the moment it’s just making me look old, dull, and way too white.

No likey.

I’ll introduce you to more from this new collection later on this week.

Disclosure: The following item was purchased by me for review purposes (and because I like flinging my money at makeup products of any kind) on Musings of a Muse. For further information please see my FTC Guidelines or my Disclosure/Disclaimer posts.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Melissa

    hi ya – I found a site that sells it to us stateside dwellers. 🙂 it is a private site with reasonable shipping but fleabay might still be cheaper..

    • the Muse

      eh melissa heard bad things about the site plus jacked up terribly 🙁 no likey! hate that they are kinda sneaky and making it look like it’s an official etude house place to buy items!

      • Melissa

        mmm good thing I didn’t buy anything from them thanks for you sharing your thoughts on it. I think i’ll try my hand on ebay if I see something “I cant live with out”. So far – nada.

        • the Muse

          hey melissa this wasn’t good but a few other items are 😀 review coming for ya shortly doll 😀

  • Jacqueline

    umm…..correct me if i’m wrong but….is the person u mentioned is me?hhehehe
    if it’s true then first of all thanks for all the trouble and money spend for this review
    and second of all……..um…the collection i meant earlier is not this one 😛
    sorry for the misunderstood T_T

    but i still realy appreciate this review though 😀
    i was thinking of buying this actually,but was torn in which one is better the moistfull colection or moistfull colagen collection ^^

    well at least i know the cream foundation of this product is no good thanks 😀

    • the Muse

      hi jacqueline no trouble at all hun! 😀 I wanted to try all of it 🙂 anyway! The moistfull skincare really isn’t my thing…I like it but I have a bit too much Lush to get through 😀 You’re most welcome and no worries at all!

  • Jacqueline

    oh i just surfed for some research and apparantly the collagen is for whitening maybe that’s why you look like morticia addam 😀
    you already have a milky white skin!maybe that’s why it’s no good for huh?
    the collagen is what the japanese and asian se to keep their skin white,there’s collagen drinks too actually,maybe it’s good for the err…..southern people(is it right?i can’t tell which one is west which one is south etc) especialy the one who lived in a tropical climate(do u understand? i’m not good at explaining :P)

    • the Muse

      hi jacqueline yup! I don’t mind whitening at all but I think it’s the formula too bit too heavy! 😀 I totally understand what you mean hun hehehe very familiar with Asian cultures 😀 The collagen def is a plus for white skin but I think the formula is the prob it’s sooooo heavy makes it feel like a mask plus the whitening yak!

      🙂

  • rachel

    YAAAAAAY. i’ve been waiting for more etude house reviews 😀

    btw, can u tell me what the forums that do the sprees are? D: i looked around google and the prices were ridiculous D:

    and are you going to do the reviews on the other 4 items soon? xD

    • the Muse

      yay rachel 😀 glad you are enjoying them! Perhaps cozycot? or some blogspots as well. I haven’t spree’ed in a while but cozy occasionally does spreeds 😀

      I will be shortly hun 🙂
      Hugs!

  • yuki

    looks cute!! I like the swirly swirly… I love korean packaging… the laneige slide EX thingy compact also came with an extra sponge! It feels like velvet… i love their sponge… sad thing is the powder, doesn’t seem to stay on my skin long enough… all thanks to my oily skin =(

    • the Muse

      hi yuki! 😀 me too, korean packaging is gorg as is Japanese 😀 yes mine laneige came with an xtra sponge too, love! awww sorry to hear it 🙁 have you tried the Skin79 Sebum Loose Powder? Good for the oilies! 🙂

  • Neelie

    Will you be reviewing the Etude House Essence-in-Foundation and the Essence-in-Base anytime soon? My friend is destined to Korea very shortly and I want to know if I should ask her to buy these for me! ^_^

  • rachel

    i actually just got this as a gift D: and i don’t know how to use it LOL. should i use the sponge that it comes with? or a brush do you think? and i got number 2 >__< do you think it'll be a bit too dark? i have asian skin with yellow understones D:

    • the Muse

      hey rachel. sure use the sponge or finger tips that’s what I do. mmmm number 2 may be a bit too dark but maybe not as number 1 on me was actually too light 🙂 try it out and see! 🙂

  • bella

    hi, do you know the other brand who has similar producr like this? with swirly swirly in it? because i heard this kind of bb cream is so good to make youthful looks ^^