February 11, 2013

Get that dewy-Asian-skincare-ad look with Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura Beam!

I got this product when I had reaaaally dry skin, to the point that BB Cream would just do more harm than good! Because for me, dry skin + BB cream = leathery and old ㅠㅠ I sought out this product as a way to improve my base finish. My skin is not nearly as dry anymore (not because of this, though), but let’s see how this product fares!





Basically, you mix this with your BB cream to give it some extra moisture and shine. You mix it in a 1:2 Aura Beam: BB cream ratio. You can also use it alone as a highlighter.

(Until now, I totally forgot that it was 1:2 ratio...so I've actually been using a 1:1 ratio! Please keep that in mind when you see my swatches~ ^^;;)
Price in Korea: 13,000KRW
Price on Koreadepart: $12.18 (click here)
Weight: 67g
Expiry: 12 months





[ Dimensions: H=10.5cm | W=5.3cm | T=3cm]






Suni
When I first picked this up, I was quite surprised at how light the tube was! I’d say it was only a bit more than half full when I got it…? But I only use a small bit each time, so it’ll still last a good while!









It’s a light, semi-transparent pink with some shimmer scattered within it:



A closeup of the shimmer:


I’m sorry…I will wax my hands next time!! >.<


Spread out:



When mixed, it makes my BB cream a tid bit lighter:

(natural lighting)






On its own, it’s thick and sticky. See how it’s able to stand up in a poo-shape on its own? It’s even stickier when you spread it out.





It mixes very easily and smoothly with BB cream. (However, I will say that the first 8 or so times that I used it, it was veeeeerrry sticky, lumpy, and super hard to mix with the BB cream! Thankfully that was only the first bit out of the tube; it has since then improved a lot. So if it happens to you, don’t fret!)


When I mix it with my BB cream, my BB cream becomes thinner and more…liquidy, shall we say? For example, do you see how the unmixed BB cream has a lumpy shape to it, but the mixed BB cream has flattened out into a smooth little blob?



(natural lighting)


Here I’ve swiped the two blobs, and you can see that the mixed BB cream is slightly thinner and more runny than the unmixed version:


(natural lighting)

It may not be super noticeable now, but the difference is there once you apply it to your face!





This product definitely makes the BB cream streak more. I normally apply my BB cream with a brush, but I now use a sponge to blend it in afterwards.

Because this made my BB cream more liquidy, the moisture in my BB cream did not get soaked up immediately by my dry skin like it normally does! In fact, it didn’t soak up at all! :D In other words, the BB cream was easier to spread, and a little went a longer way! Not to mention, I can also feel the moisture difference on my skin.

Another consequence of this product is that if I don’t set my BB cream, it scratches off more easily than unmixed BB cream (especially on my T-zone).





It gives my entire face a noticeable dewy/liquidy shine, like I got sprayed by some mist. It's not subtle, but it's not to the point where you look greasy either! Some lighting accentuates it more than others. For example~!


More obvious: dim, uneven lighting. Here I'm standing far away from the natural lighting that's coming through the window. It looks like I sprayed myself with a mist:




Less obvious: brighter, even lighting. If I stand closer to the window, it's a much more subtle dewiness:



But even when it's subtle, you can still see a difference in the base application:


See how it's a liiiittle flaky without the Aura Beam?


Now back when I had reaaaally dry and flakey skin, this product wouldn't COMPLETELY fix my base makeup, but it did help a bit! Also note that if you proceed to apply a powder over it, the shine and dewiness will of course be stripped right away!






All in all, I like it! I don’t think I can go back to just applying BB cream directly onto my skin anymore. It improves my base makeup by making my BB cream easier to apply evenly and blend. This also prevents me from applying way too much BB cream and looking cakey! If I was into the dewy look, I’d like it even more. ^^ I will repurchase this with my own money!

56 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great product. I love the "dewy glowy" look!

    My blog: acolorfulcreation.blogspot.com

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    1. I think you will like this then! :D I don't know how to rock the dewy look yet! >.<

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  2. it looks great!
    I need this tool.
    ps What camera and software do you use? your photos are beautiful


    http://prettykattyhouse.blogspot.com/

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    1. I use a Sony Nex (I can't remember which one though!) and I crop/watermark/edit with Photoshop and Microsoft Picture Office Manager >.< Just your basic programs!

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  3. aww..you looks so pretty~~~kkk..black hair suits you well :D

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    1. Thank you~~ This is my natural hair color! It's actually more of a dark brown in real life, though. T^T My hair isn't quite as dark and glamorous as some other Asians' :(

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  4. It looks great and it does sound like an amazing product. Now, Tony Moly, where you at? Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're welcome! Hmm~ Do they not have a Tony Moly in the Philippines? My impression of the Philippines was that you had lots of Korean cosmetic stores around! Not that I've been there myself though...! >.<

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    2. We have branches here in the Philippines but there is no where near here at our place. The nearest branch would be more than 6 hours to reach or we can ride a ship. We live in the outskirts. :D I hope I can visit a branch soon and I surely would love to try their products. <3

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    3. Oohh, I see now! That's such a shame! I hope you are able to plan a trip to the city/non-outskirts and swing by Tony Moly and do some serious shopping while you're there! ^^

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  5. thanks for the thorough review, the product reminds me so much to etude house nymph aura line <33

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    1. You are welcome! I haven't tried that line, but I would agree that they seem to have similar goals in their products! :)

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  6. :o u have a flawless skin Airi! thank u for your review.. u put so much effort on this post hehe keep posting^^

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    1. Ah, do I?! Nooo, I have tons and tons of blemishes and acne scars on my face! Thank you for reading my post! ^^

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  7. Crazy how much of a difference that made, I think it's pretty neat though :)

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    1. Yeah! It does make quite a difference! The first few times I started using this I was like wat is this, why is my face so wet? Did I accidentally get water in my BB cream? XD

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  8. Thank you so much for this post! I have been looking for a great illuminizer that I can mix with my foundation and I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog! Thank you for this post :) I absolutely love your blog! Specially the photos because they are so detailed and clear, I can really understand about your post. I followed you on GFC and BlogLovin'! Hoping you can come by my blog too :) Thank you for this post! I can't wait to read more of your posts. More power to you!

    XOXO
    Your new follower,
    www.MusingsofaMakeupMaven.com

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    1. Hello, hello! Nice to meet you! What a coincidence, because I had just published this post today too! I'm very happy you found my blog~ Welcome, welcome! ^o^

      Thank you for your kind words~~ I hope this review helped you find what you needed! ^^

      Your blog is great! You take FANTASTIC photos, I love it! :D

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  9. Mygoodness, Airi! You write GREAT reviews

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    1. Thank you Romacchiato! <3 I'll try hard to keep improving! >.<

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  10. I just love reading your blog! All your posts are just so very detailed. And you have such flawless skin. I'm so jealous!

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    1. Awww, thank you Jo! ^o^ I know they're a bit long, but thank you for enduring! I hope you find them helpful~~ And noooo I don't have flawless skin! I'm wearing BB cream in these photos!! >o<

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  11. "See how it’s able to stand up in a poo-shape on its own?" Hahahahaha~ :DDD poo-shape♥

    Hmm, the product seems great - especially for ppl with dry skin. However, to me it looks maybe a bit too shiny :/ I dunno.. Maybe I'll just have to try to see what happens to my skin ;D

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    1. Omg, haha! I didn't even realize I was calling it poop shape! I mean, I knew I was, but somehow it just seemed like a totally normal, and appropriate description for it!
      But seriously, it really does stand up in a poo shape, even if you make the swirly kind! I suppose we could also call it a soft serve ice cream shape too.... XD

      I would agree with you! I actually think it's a bit too shiny (in some lighting). BUT, that could also be because I did a 1:1 ratio rather than the 1:2 recommended ratio! I think you could totally dial it down by adding less Aura Beam. :)

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  12. This seems like a great product I like how it gives a dewy finish I am gonna try this .Thanks for such a detailed review , you always mention each and every detail with clear photos this is very helpful especially for people like me who have to shop online.

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    1. If you're down for the dewy finish, I think you should definitely check it out! The only other product I know of that also does this sort of stuff is the Etude House Nymph Aura one, so you might want to read reviews on that one to compare as well! ^^

      And as always you are very very welcome! Thanks so much for your kind compliments, they always make my day! ^^

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  13. Ooh, these Korean products really do have such lengthy names, lol.

    I adore the dewy skin look! Especially since my skin's on the dryer side :)

    I'd like to try this but I have a few illuminators to get through already!

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    1. Hahaha, you got that right!!
      Your skin is dry too! Omg, you understand my pain!
      Oh lala~ Any illuminators to recommend? ^o^

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  15. This sounds fantastic! I bet that it is a must for photos :)
    Sadly I have super oily skin so it would look even worse..
    pluiedevelours.blogspot.com

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    1. Awww, think of it this way! You already have your own built-in illuminator! :D

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  16. OMG, I have to order this one, I also got to dry sometimes that I feel my BB cream makes it worst!! ^^/ Thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. Omg, I totally know how you feel! I feel like that with my BB Cream on my cheeks too, even now! I can definitely feel the difference between applying the BB cream straight on (and feeling the moisture absorb almost immediately) and having this product provide a sort of 'protective layer of moisture' in between. :)

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  17. Haha poo-shape! XD
    thanks for the review!~ maybe i will get it one day! =D
    ah, also! can you share products that helped you to get rid of flaky skin?
    thank you! >_<

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    1. You are very welcome! ^o^ I'm glad you found amusement in my description, teehee~~
      I would love to! But the thing is, I don't even know what made my flakey skin go away! My skin randomly switches in between super dry and super oily, and I'm not quite sure why...I'm so sorry I couldn't be of more help!

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  18. Seems like a great product.... Though I've oily skin and I prefer matte finish xx

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    1. I'm also more of a matte girl myself, to be honest! ^O^ My T-zone is pretty oily these days! It's like my built-in illuminator/highlighter, haha!

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  19. Wow it looks so good! The difference is just XD it looks so good

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    1. The difference is definitely there! It might be more subtle of a difference if I had used the proper 1:2 ratio though! ><

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  20. Hi! Is this the same kind of product with Etude House Nymph Aura Volumizer? (or so I thought it was called.) Does it make oily skin looks more oily, in your opinion? Thanks

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    1. Yes! I believe you are right! I haven't personality tried the Etude House Nymph Aura Volumizer, but I would definitely agree that these to products (this Tony Moly one and the Etude one) are sister products from the same family!

      Hmmm, I do believe that the added moisture and shine can make you look oily in certain lighting! As far as makeup actually melting off faster because of this added moisture, it's hard for me to say. I have an oily T-zone right now, so my makeup melts off pretty quickly anyways. I will get back to you on this part! Give me a week or so! ^^

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  21. Hi Airi firstly i must say this is an amazing blog .....i m so glad i found your blog and wooooow fantastic product have to buy it:)

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    1. Awww, thank you so much! I'm so flattered ^o^ I hope I was able to be of help!

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  22. wow you do very thorough product reviews! loll. great photo shots. thanks so much for sharing~!

    xoxo Sarah
    www.xliciousgirl.com

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    1. Ah, sorry! Yes, yes I do! I just want people to be able to get as much insight on the product as possible before shelling out extra bucks to pay for it, especially since Korean products are often overpriced...Hopefully it helps! ^o^

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  23. I'm a fan of Etude House but I haven't tried any Tony Moly product. This one really seems worth it.

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    1. I personally liked it! But of course, everyone is different! ^^

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  24. Does it cause any breakout? do you have an acne-prone skin?? hehhehh...
    i wanna try it too but i'm a little bit afraid it will clog my pores.. >_<

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    1. Hmm~ It hasn't caused me to break out, but I also don't have particularly acne-prone skin! You're supposed to only do a 1:2 ratio, so it turns out that you don't use that much product, just a little droplet~ ^^ Sorry I can't help you much more than that! ><

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  25. Loving the dewy skin and thank you for the recommendation of KoreaDepart! :D I never knew about this site! :)

    -sillylilacs

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    1. You are very welcome! Thank you for reading! ^^

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  26. Oooh~ this looks like the product I've been searching for! >;) Thanks for review!

    loveleeskin.blogspot.com

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  27. It sure looks better with Aura Beam :)

    My nail polish blog nails-and-more.blogspot.com

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  28. This looks really lovely to use! But I'm not a fan of the dewy look on myself as it just looks wet/greasy, haha! There's a Tony Moly foundation I wanna try out though! >_<

    Your blog is so lovely, I always enjoy reading your posts so I've nominated/tagged you for the Liebster Blogging Award! I hope you'll participate! http://geishababy.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-liebster-blogging-award.html

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Thoughts, questions, concerns? I always try to reply, so check back within a few days! Thanks for commenting~