February 21, 2012

Holika Holika Medi-Medi Vita C Pack Review

Holika Holika is a popular brand that’s taking Korean by storm courtesy the Harry Potter-like marketing of the products and stores.

Their skincare comes in potion-like bottles and jars that has a witch-y kinda look to it. Very cute in my opinion but that goes without saying when it comes to Korean brands.

Of course, they also have color cosmetics as well in equally delightful packaging (and CNBLUE slapped into a few commercials helps things along dramatically, pause for fan girl squeal! You know you want members of CNBLUE applying your makeup, don’t be lying!).

I was curious about the skincare but I had my doubts about how effective it would be considering this line is geared more towards a younger generation of makeup and skincare users.

But I indulged in the Holika Holika Medi-Medi Vita C Pack Skin Brightening Wash Off Mask since I have my little obsessions with whitening/brightening products.

Let’s take a look!

Supposedly this contains some huge amount of Vitamin C derivatives that help whiten skin. It also contains main floral ingredients such as cherry blossom, lotus, and damask rose that brighten skin.

The Vitamin C supposedly acts to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin as well as hyper pigmentation.

You’ll want to apply it on freshly cleansed, dry skin. Simply apply an even thin layer and wait for 10-20 minutes before washing it off. The formula is a thicker, paste-like gel consistency that feels refreshing on skin. It has a pleasant sweet lemony scent with a little bite to it, kinda sour and bitter but the sweetness outweighs those sour notes.

I’m not a skincare expert but the jar packaging probably doesn’t keep the vitamin c entirely stable so you’ll want to use this up as quickly as possible for the best results. Off topic, dontcha just love the the entire “medi-medi” name and packaging that implies this is somehow medically approved ha! How official.

My skin feels smoother after use and dullness is eased a little bit but the visible results are disappointing on a whole. I didn’t see whiter skin even after finishing a complete jar nor was my skin any brighter. Results are minimal to say the least and nothing to get excited for and definitely not so great you’ll want to track down a jar of this (it’s not available in the US so some online shopping and airmail fees are involved to grab one for yourself).

There are far better whitening/brightening masks available than this one. Sadly, I’d give it a thumbs down.

What are your fav ways to ease dullness and brighten up skin?

Do share!

Sasa.com is selling a few Holika Holika products if you’re interested in trying the brand out!

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • plue

    i love my CN BLUE!!! especially Yong Hwa~ totally my type and I adore him to bits <3

    holika holika will be opening soon in msia so I am looking forward to giving this brand a try! 😀

    missed chu!

  • Tohnia

    CNBlue!!! I love me some Jung Yong Hwa! You’re Beautiful was amazing, as was Heartstrings. <3 😀

    My heart is completely owned by Super Junior and Yunho in terms of K-Pop. 😀

  • Anna

    After your recommendation I bought Tomatox, and I got it a couple of days ago. I love it already! After two masks my skin looks fresher and brighter, and generally smoother, and it also gives moisture, which I need because live in cold climate and walk to school every day. I am really happy with my purchase, and the packaging is so cute (my mom fawned over it too) 🙂

  • catazure

    Thanks for the always honest reviews! I have been using Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel for about three weeks now and am seeing a difference. My hands are especially smooth so I really like that there is enough product to do face, hands, neck and decollete. I am looking forward to how things will look at the end of 12 weeks.

  • Miss D

    Muse, I just bought some of the Tony Moly Ice Queen White Sleeping Cream that you gave a great review of. I’ve been using the regular moisturizer (Ice Queen Multi Play Cream SPF 30) for a while now and I’m on my third jar- I like this a lot. But the blue sleeping cream is new for me.
    Anyway, is there anything you like better for whitening the skin than this cream? Maybe your favorite whitening mask? I have very sensitive skin, so I’m never really sure what to use.
    Also, did you ever try the Tony Moly Red Appletox Honey Cream? It’s supposed to be very good for dry skin. I just got a sample and wanted to know what you thought.
    I hope answering all these questions won’t take too much of your time (I usually leave short comments)! XD
    Thanks so much…lots of hugs! 🙂

    • the Muse

      hey miss d, I love those both, they are really fab products and effective. Yes, actually, Philosophy’s new spot treatment is amazing. It was created for spot/hyperpigmentation but it’s actually an all over brightener as well if you’re interested in taking down the tone of your skin slightly. This used in conjunction with the miracle worker pads are actually amazing for keeping my skin white and bright. BUT I wouldn’t suggest the pads unless you are in your late, later twenties and thirties. Red Appletox is fabulous, quite a nice cream, not hydrating enough for night use on dry skin but excellent for AM use. 🙂 I hope this helps!? 🙂

      hugs right back atcha chica ;-D xoxooxxo!

      • Miss D

        Oh, thank you for the fast reply! 🙂
        I will check out Philosophy’s stuff because I am all about paler, more luminous skin. Actually, about 2-3 yrs ago (seems so long ago now) I sent you a personal email in which you sent a wonderfully long reply back! We discussed purple primers/bases/powders and how it affects skin tone, and ever since then I knew I would be a devoted follower of your site. *sigh* Thanks again!

        • the Muse

          oh miss d please don’t hate me but I don’t remember that, I’m so so sorry! But I’m glad I at least replied, as I am so terrible with replies the last few years 🙁 but thank you for telling me xoxoxo! I hope whatever I said helped hehe. Awww jeez sniff you’re making me cry! I am all about pale too. I think people got a tad annoyed with me for it so I stopped doing posts about whitening products, etc…but still very obsessed hehe. Since you are dry you prob experience the same issues as me, dullness :-/ It’s the worst. Philosophy, seriously, did wonders for my skin. You have to dedicate yourself to it though. It’s something you have to use every single night to get the very best results and I think if I skip a day or even two my skin ends up looking dull again but still considerably brighter and whiter! ;-D It’s the best product I’ve tried that really does keep skin looking its best. I typically don’t suggest it but there is a white mask by ishizawa labs that visibly whitens skin with one use. problem is it contains parabens 🙁 le sigh! But it works amazingly! the results are instant however you do need to continue using for the best results. I stopped using it b/c I was worried about the ingredients 🙁

          • Miss D

            It’s okay…I know you get lots of emails from folks so I didn’t expect you to remember, which is why I brought it up the way I did. But I did receive a long message from you for I saved it all this time (like I would ever delete that wonderfully long rambler, Muse!). Shortly after that was when you began receiving loads of comments/emails, so I’m happy to have shared a moment with you!
            Ah, memories! Heehee! But, if I ever make it up to New York I will have to meet up with you, even if just for a minute! 🙂

  • jen

    i was just thinking about trying out the magnesium version of this. do you think i should give it a shot or based on this review, it won’t be anything special?

      • jen

        thanks! i ended up going with innisfree’s jeju volcanic pore mask. every review i read was glowing so that must be a good sign *crosses fingers*

        • the Muse

          let me know how it is, I haven’t tried it. I generally like almost everything innisfree does so I bet it is good!