Ettusais First Impressions

Lip Essence stick

I always love when lip products have SPF. This has SPF 18 PA ++. It promises to reduce the look of vertical lines on lips, promote blood circulation, and moisturize with hyaluronic acid. I don't find this quite moisturizing enough to be a good winter lip balm, but I like it as a lipstick base. I think it will be excellent for summer! Also, I might have bought it just for the packaging which is a collaboration with lingerie brand Amphi...

Puru Puru Serum

One of the things I love about this is that it's so unique. It's not your typical serum, and as such I feel that it needs a bit of explaining. I saw this in stores and advertisements a few times before I could figure out what it was. It looks like a scrub, but it's a serum with soft little beads full of hyaluronic acid, fermented royal jelly, and water-soluble collagen. The serum has a moisture-lock shield to have a long lasting hydrating effect. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling velvety and soft. This is meant to be used as the last step in a skincare routine.

I keep it on my nightstand and put it on right before I get in bed. I was having issues with dry patches on my face, especially around my nose and within a few days of using this they were gone! I highly recommend this!

Limited edition Princess Red rose cheek colour

In the new Princess Red series for spring, Ettusais is channelling a Snow White vibe. The colours are not the typical spring corals and oranges, which is kind of refreshing. The blush comes with a sponge applicator that stores in the bottom. It's not as useless as most applicators that come with blushes, but I still prefer to use my brushes. I usually apply it with the Real Techniques Stippling or Blush Brush.

The rose design goes all the way to the bottom. The cheek colour is a blush and highlight in one. This is a gorgeous red blush that is really pigmented and wearable. It does have some shimmer in it but it's not overdone.


You can also check out my entire Ettusais haul here!

Ettusais Haul

I recently discovered this Japanese beauty brand and it might be a winner. As you can tell, I went a little crazy. With the weather starting to warm up here I'm already brainstorming ways to be more comfortable survive the coming summer. The name Et tu sais, is French for "you know what?" The brand has a selection of skin care, and focuses on incorporating skin care ingredients into their makeup to be suitable for sensitive or acne prone skin.

First I'd like to talk about the packaging. It is surprisingly minimalist for a Japanese beauty brand. I'm not saying it's pink-free but Ettusais has taken a much more moderate approach to all things cutesy and girly, than its competitors. They like to collaborate with other Japanese brands and come out with limited edition packaging which can be hit or miss. I do think the collab with Amphi, a lingerie company, is lovely!

My first Ettusais purchases were Puru Puru Serum, limited edition Princess Red rose cheek colour, and Lip Essence stick with the Amphi design. So far I love all three of these! You can read my reviews here!

Loft had a special gift bag of Ettusais summer essentials. As a side note, Loft has lots of value sets from different brands. I highly recommend checking them out. The one I bought was 1800yen, with around 5000yen worth of product! It included Aqua Splash OB, Aqua Splash UV SPF 25, BB Mineral White SPF 45, Oil Block Jelly, and Lip Essence.

Do you have anything from Ettusais? What do you think?

PS If you're interested in looking at Ettusais online, they have an English website but the Japanese one is way better, and obviously gets updated more often.

The Lust List

Every beauty lover has a list of products that they wish they had, or hope to acquire in the future. I haven't been in the beauty world for very long, so I'm lacking a smattering of luxury items and basics. What's on your list?

1. Urban Decay Naked 3. I bought my mom the Naked Basics palette in the summer but have yet to get one of my own. In many reviews of Naked 3, ladies were saying that although they really like Naked 3, it reminded them of how much they love Naked 1, which is still their favourite. Is it naive to think I can resist buying all three? Which is your favourite?

2. The MAC 217 brush. A cult classic. I've been putting this one off, and pretending that I can make due with other brushes because MAC is soooo expensive in Japan. I think the 217 is around 3000 yen ($30) and I just can't bring myself to do it (never mind that I've spent at least that much on other brushes that I hope are going to fill that hole).

3. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful. (I got this blush, after I started writing this post last week, in a care package from Tyler's lovely sisters! Thanks ladies!)

4. Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation. I'm a fan of mineral foundations. They feel so much better than liquid ones on my skin. Estee of Essiebutton bought this in Canada over Christmas and was raving about it! She is my ultimate enabler. I want to buy everything she reviews.

5. Ettusais Aqua Splash UV. This is more of a practical thing on my list. I just discovered this brand and recently picked up a few of their products (new post to come!). This is a powder-in-mist with SPF 30 PA++! It can be sprayed on under or on top of your makeup. It's hydrating, offers UV protection, and helps makeup last longer! Yes please!

6. MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Crosswires. This has been described as a shade that Christina Hendricks as Joan would wear. And Mad Men reference is all I need.

I know this post is a little whiny. Boohoo! My life is so hard! Lol. 

Leave me a comment and tell me what's on your list!