#YAYNAY: Barr Cosmetics Full Routine 🌱 [21, Oily Skin]

Audrey // Oily Skin // Early 20s

The opportunity to give the Barr Cosmetics Full Skincare Range a go came about at a time where I was in desperate need of a restock of skincare! Luckily, HIKOCO was kind enough to select me to try this new brand. As a customer, it's important to know what you are buying and how the product could potentially help or not help you. We all are going through our skincare journey, and I hope this review will be useful for wherever you are at in your skincare journey! All products are clean-beauty, cruelty-free and vegan. 

Centella Calming Ampoule Toner

Application: It may be hard to tell from the photo, but I would put out approximately the amount shown in my hand and lightly tap it onto my face. I would apply one layer during my daytime and night- time routine. It would be hard to mess up getting out of the bottle, as the packaging helped to control the amount I could put out. 

First impressions: The toner was surprisingly light. There wasn't any heaviness or viscous feeling when I applied it on my face. There was no scent either. It reminded me of the Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, but much lighter. It isn't as light as water, but it definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of absorbing into the skin! It also felt like its name, an ampoule toner! My skin felt very hydrated and calm after applying it onto my face. 

Overall: I loved this toner! It is incredibly simple, but it hydrated my skin so well throughout the day and night. As someone with oily skin, I was slightly concerned with Jojoba seed oil being one the ingredients, but this toner is nowhere near feeling oily on the skin. Sitting at the price of $37, there are certainly cheaper alternatives, but I think the price sits fairly with how much product you get and how effective it is. I think that this would be a great toner for all skin types. 

• Packaging: 10/10 
• Effectiveness: 10/10 
• Price: 9/10 

Centella Calming Gel Essence 

Application: To apply this essence, I just followed the instructions and applied 2 pumps onto my fingertips then spread evenly onto my skin. I applied this only during my daytime routine, as I wanted more hydration throughout the day. I would also use it when my skin felt irritated. 

First impressions: This essence is just as it is described. It is a very light, unscented, non-sticky, gel essence. It was hydrating and calming after initial use. This gel essence doesn't pill up or leave you feeling sticky. It sinks in very well into the skin and also doesn't have any fragrance. 

Overall: This was a nice addition in my skincare routine for the past 4 weeks. The packaging made it easy to see how much I was dispensing for each application. I felt the pumps were an accurate amount to how much I would need for the day. Even though this essence was hydrating and calming, I feel like it is a product that I don't necessarily need. I would recommend this product for those with sensitive and/or dry skin. The product is priced at $34, which seems slightly steep regarding how much product you get and its effectiveness on my skin. However, this would really benefit those who are looking for something that can be easily applied and feels comfortable when trying to sooth and calm their skin. 

• Packaging: 10/10 
• Effectiveness: 8/10 
• Price: 8/10 

Super Balance Brightening Ampoule

Application: I would apply 3-4 drops on my fingertips then spread evenly and tap onto my face. I would use this for the night-time and occasionally for the daytime. 

First impressions: This ampoule, like many of the other products, was very light. It felt the tackiest out of all of the products but didn't feel sticky. The consistency felt like a hybrid between the toner and the essence. It gave my skin a beautiful dewiness without looking super oily. Again, it was unscented and very calming. 

Overall: Compared to other Niacinamide serums/ampoules I've tried, this has to be the easiest and best to apply! I loved the way that it was so light yet feels hydrating and soothing. It doesn't do any funny business like pilling up or irritate my skin. I would recommend this for all skin types. I will say that felt like the least hydrating product out of the range, but nevertheless, it is a hydrating product for sure! The pipette would sometimes not collect and dispense much of the product. Good thing this didn’t happen all of the time! I think that it has helped with fading some past breakouts and has helped control the oil balance of my skin. This is the most expensive product sitting at $49. This makes sense at it is an ampoule that is concentrated with great ingredients. Considering the effectiveness and its consistency, I feel like it is somewhat worth that price. 

• Packaging: 9/10 
• Effectiveness: 9/10 
• Price: 9/10 

Centella Calming Barrier Cream 

Application: I would apply an amount that is just smaller than a pea onto my fingertips when I would apply the cream during the day. I would apply approximately the size of a pea or slightly more when I would use this during the night-time. 

First impressions: I initially thought that this cream might feel like it'd be heavy, but it is very easy to work into the skin. Not sticky at all and only left a slight balminess after applying it on to the skin. A little bit goes a long way! Not the lightest of creams but my skin was still able to breathe and felt very comfortable. 

Overall: I was really impressed with how this cream moisturised my skin throughout the day. I enjoyed the feeling it gave my skin, as it helped me to calm my skin especially after a stressful day. It’s a little heavier than the creams/moisturisers I would use daily, but it never weighed my skin down or made me feel uncomfortable. The tube made it easy to control how much product I would put out. It is priced well at $35. You get 80ml of product and like I said before, very little goes a very long way! With that being said, I feel like this was another product that I didn’t necessarily need in my routine. This cream would be great for those who have sensitive skin, dry skin or skin that needs some nourishing. I felt as though this cream could sometimes be too rich for my oily skin if I put too much. Nevertheless, it was still a great product that helped to nourish my skin! 

• Packaging: 10/10 
• Effectiveness: 9/10 
• Price: 10/10 

Final Thoughts

These products have really exceeded my expectations into how skincare can have such simple ingredients but be very effective! Some of these products reminded me of Pyunkang Yul, as many of them had the same consistencies with their products. From the before and after photos, I could see that my skin (and my hair!) had for sure, changed! I could see that most breakouts and some dark spots had faded away. Not all of my imperfections faded away within the 4 weeks of trying these products out, but I think there was quite a difference! 

Another thing that impressed me was the quantity of these products. It’s typical for an ampoule/serum to have 30ml of product, but after 4 weeks, I only seemed to have used just slightly over a 1/3 of the bottle! I can also say the same thing for the rest of the products. The cream reminded me of the Etude Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream. If you want something that comes with more product and is cruelty free, then the Centella Calming Barrier Cream would be a great alternative! There are cheaper and similar products out there, but I feel like these products can fit in to many people’s skincare routines effortlessly. 

My skin tends to be oilier during the summer, so maybe I would enjoy the cream more during colder months where my skin doesn’t feel as oily. I think the rest of the products would be great during all seasons. 

These are really great products at a time when you are feeling stressed out. Whether you’re on your period or coming home after a stressful day at work, these products calmed my skin and made me feel relaxed. 

YAY or NAY? 

I’m giving the Barr Cosmetics Full Skincare range a ... YAY! 👍 I enjoyed testing out these products and I would most likely repurchase the toner and ampoule! Testing these products has helped me get back on track with what I want in my skincare routine and understanding how focusing on important main ingredients can be effective in getting the results you want. I would love for HIKOCO to stock Barr so everyone can get the chance to try their products out! It has made my skincare routine very simple and easy, what more could you ask for? 

YAY 👍	Centella Calming Ampoule Toner Super Balance Brightening Ampoule
NAY 👎	Centella Calming Gel Essence  Centella Calming Barrier Cream

 

- Written by. Audrey M