My Korean Skincare Routine

Hi everyone! I want to talk about my skincare routine. I already did post about my skincare a few months ago and you can read my post here to see the difference of my skincare routine. For your information, I'm not a high maintenance gal. I prefer to wear no make up and do as little as possible because I don't really like to wear makeup with my dull face and open pores and pimple on my face. My skincare before just cleansing, toner and moisturizer. That's it. If foregoing a complicated beauty routine means I get an extra 10 minutes in bed, I will make that sacrifice in favor of sleep.

After tried some Korean skincare product, suddenly I'm hooked with it. I've done lots of researched about the skincare and it took me almost a month. I even bought The Little Book of Skincare by Charlotte Cho, SOKO GLAM from Amazon. This book is everything you need to know about Korean skincare and beauty. This book also list some recommended products that you might be interested for your skin concern.

Fiends, meet my skincare team.

MORNING ROUTINE

STEP 1 : Cleanse

Currently, switching between NATURE REPUBLIC Soothing & Moisturize Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser ($6.98) and just water. Sometimes I don't feel the need to use cleanser in the morning. When you go to sleep, that's when your skin restore and it makes a great ingredients. I know, I can't stand to not cleanse my face in the morning too.

STEP 2 : Toner

Also I'm switching between CORSX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner ($16) and SON&PARK Beauty Water ($27.59). Those are hydrating toners while prepping and repairing  your skin's barrier to effectively absorb the moisturizers that follow. Toners are often called "refreshers" by Korean brand. And I prefer to use Son&Park more because this toner seems to do the job without the harsh smell nor the drying effect Before proceed to the step 3, I usually let the toner absorbs to my skin.

STEP 3 : The Essence

The essence is the heart of the Korean skincare routine. You may say "I'm still young and I don't need essence because my skin doesn't need that. Well, prevent is better than cure, honey. So my pick is MISSHA Time Revolution First Treatment Essence (26.29). I totally in love with this essence. It hydrates just as well, held moisture better through the day and I felt thay it actually help with the clearing of occasional hormonal breakouts.

STEP 4 : Serum

I used KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop Serum ($23). This serum revitalizes the skin by brightening and reducing the visibility of dark spot and acne scars. I just started using this and I can always notice a slight difference. There's one when I accidently pop my pimple and I put this serum at night, the next wala I can see it's fading. I have to wait a few minutes for it to absorbs for the best results tho.

STEP 5 : Eye Cream/patch

"If the eyes are windows to your soul, then the skin around them is the barometer of your age" - Charlotte. It help keep the dark circles, and puffiness. I'm wearing the PETITFEE Black Pearl & Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch ($.25) for 5-10 minutes before proceed to the next step. Since I always woke up late, I take a shower with this eye patch around my eyes and open it before applying the moisturizer.

STEP 6 : The Moisturizer

I'm switching cream between ETUDE HOUSE Pink Vital Water Cream and MIZON All in One Snail Repair Cream. Those are the samples that I bought last time and I need to use them all before I can buy the IOPE Bio Hydro Cream.

STEP 7 : Sunscreen

I used the MISSHA All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk ($12.99) because it's light facial sunscreen that absorbs quickly, without a greasy or white cast.

That's my morning skincare routine. After done with the routine, I'm set to go. Yes, I love to go to work with my bare face with lipstick. Less makeup, and more skincare.

NIGHT ROUTINE

STEP 1 : Oil Cleanser

I apply on my dry face directly with Banila Co. Clean It Zero Classic ($16.95). It's a sorbet-soft, lightweight formula that transform from a solid balm to a silky oil on the skin and effortlessly dissolves stubborn makeup and dirt. This oil literally melts whatever on my face off, makeup, sweat, dirt/dust and anything I get on my face during the day. I can see my skin glowing when finishing cleansing. I prefer to wipe it with cotton pads first then wash with lukewarm.

STEP 2 : Water / Foam-Based Cleanser

"Believe it or not, after one cleanse, you're still going to have stuff left over," says Charlotte. Second cleanse ensures that any remaining dirt and makeup is removed and that you're face is really clean. I used the same cleanser that I used in the morning.

STEP 3 : The exfoliator

SKIN FOOD Black Sugar Mask Wash Off ($7.74) promotes hydration and the sloughing of dead skin cells for better product absorption. This exfoliating mask is great for oily skin. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft and not too harsh like other exfoliators. After massage my face with this, I leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water. I did this twice a week only.

*The following steps are similar to my morning routine; toner, essence, and serum.

STEP 7 : Pimple Patch

I used [Cosrx] Acne Pimple Master Patch 24pcs ($5.19) every time pimples pop up with a head on my face. It's a small patch version of hydrocolloid bandages and it takes 3-4 times using it for the pimple to disappear completely. It sucks out all of the gunk when I put it over pimples with white heads showing. Eww.  I'll used this over night and just put my moisturizer on top of this patch.

STEP 8 : Sheet Mask

"If the essence is the heart of the Korean skincare routine, then the sheet is the soul" says Charlotte. For the sheet mask, I don't have any A MUST HAVE sheet mask and I just use sheet mask brand randomly. And now I'm ran out of it. I just ordered the PONY EFFECT Luminous Boosting Mask Pack ($3) and BONVIVANT Botanical Pure Mask Pack #Chamomile + Tea Tree ($1).

*Followed by eye cream and moisturizer. I switch my moisturizer with TONYMOLY Panda's Dream White Sleeping Pack ($8.93) every 3-4 days. Twice a week.

Phew, finally I'm done. If you're exhausted just reading this skincare routine, so was I-at first. I know what you're thinking. Who has time for that so many steps skincare? It take me like 10-15 for morning routine and 20-30 minutes for night routine. It's hard at first and I thought I'll try to skip some of the step because of my laziness but I enjoy pampering myself instead. It sounds daunting, but this skincare really worth your time. And please don't freak out that I spent too much money on this. I don't buy them all at once though. Every time my paycheck, I'll only buy 2-3 products.

Even though, my skin still have the acne scars, pores open etc, I can see my face starting to look brighter and more supple, and my skin tone was more even and clear. My fine lines and pores are less visible and I had a glow. Not an oily glaze, but a glow.

Well, that's my new skincare. Have you tried this Korean's skincare? What are your thoughts?

Korean Skincare Tryouts

I've been trying a few of Korean skincare since two months ago. I never thought to try the Korean skincare, to be honest. It started when I got a sample from  when I did my shopping at Aritaum store. They gave me IOPE Bio Hydro Cream samples. Since, I don't have a night cream that time, so why not just used it. After using it, I'm a bit surprised after a week that I can see some good results. It moisturizes my face without weighing it down. Since then, I'm interested in the Korean skincare product. I keep googling about it and stumble to the 10-step  Korean skincare routine. Yes, you read it right girl :) 10-step routine. Because I'm a newbie of Korean skincare routine/product, I bought a few samples to try out.

ELIZAVECCA Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask | $9

I saw people using this from Facebook and this product got many good feedbacks. I ordered it online from MEMEBOX. This clay mask is a bubble mud pack that provides pore cleaning and blackhead removal and suitable for almost all skin types, especially oily. It cleans my skin well and also a lot of fun to use. The bubbles tingle, but it's hard to wash off, though.

[CLOUD 9] Blanc de Whitening Cream | $3.28

This samples I bought it from eBay. People have been raving about this whitening cream, how it genuinely brighten skin tone. My face is darker than my hand and thought maybe I should try this. It did help lighten up my skin tone. Unfortunately, it breaks me out. So, I stop using it.

I bought all the skincare from BeautynetKorea, and they gave me six samples.

1. ETUDE HOUSE Pink Vital Water Special Trial Kit | $7.99 

-Pink Vital Water Facial Toner                              -Pink Vital Water Serum

-Pink Vital Water Emulsion                                   -Pink Vital Water Cream

I really love this trial kit. After face washing, I'll pat amount of the toner. Then, I'll apply the serum, emulsion, and cream. It does it job of keeping the face moisturizes without the heavy feel of product layer over my face. This kit was great just to get a feel of how this product works without committing to the entire set. 

2. MIZON All in One Snail Repair Cream Sample 20pcs | $4.99

I have been using this cream for almost three weeks and loved it so far but still this cream can't beat the IOPE Bio Hydro Cream. At first, I was a little bit grossed out. 92% snail mucus? It plumps my oily to normal skin. This cream also for anti-aging, fine wrinkle, blemish, acne scar and pore care. But it does contain alcohol, though.

3. MISSHA Time Revolution [First Essence + Night Repair Ampoule] Sample 10pcs | $5.78

Missha Essence is highly recommended by many as it has skin brightening properties which many compare to the popular SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. Night repair ampoule is great for a spot treatment to reduce the sign of aging, improve skin elasticity and protect barrier function.

4. CARENEL Aqua Water Sleeping Mask 15ml 2pcs | $5.69

Actually, I bought this by mistake. I'm in a hurry when I ordered the skincares, and I thought this is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask  since they have a similar blue package. I'm so disappointed that I don't even bother the see difference after using it. 

Samples

1. TONYMOLY Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack

2. TONYMOLY Prestige Jeju Wild Ginseng Cream

3. TONYMOLY The Fresh Phytoncide Pore Gel Cream

4. SECRET KEY Snow White Toning Cream

5. TONYMOLY The Hayan Cherry Blossom Brightening Essence

6. TONYMOLY Prestige Jeju Snail

NATURE REPUBLIC Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser | $6.98

I ordered this from eBay and got some samples. I had been using drugstore face wash for years with OK results. But this cleanser really does make my skin feeling cleaner and doesn't dry out my skin.

Samples 

1. INNISFREE The Green Tree Seed Serum

2.ETUDE HOUSE Fresh Cherry Tint (2)

I know I used so many products but I don't use it all at once. And I have a few Korean skincare products that I still want to try that fits my regimen skincare. Yes, I traded my lazy beauty routine to korean skincare routine. I'll update my blog about my skincare next time. Stay tunes :)

p/s : I'm hooked with the Korean skincare and it gives more reason why I love Korea besides their food and their places :) And plan travel to Korea next year on April maybe? Who's with me?

May Mini Haul

Howdy y'all!

Today I'm going to write about my very first haul post. I don't even know what haul is before and I did some researched about it to be honest. So, here's my mini haul for this month.

As the weekends have progressed I've managed to pick up a few things from Walmart and Marshalls. I usually shopping for clothes or something else instead of make-ups but this time I spent way to much for beauty products. This is everything that I've picked up and all this things costs for $50 (tax excluded).

WALMART

At fist, we planned to go to Walmart just wanted to buy Fisheye for my sister but turned out I shop a lot of makeup products. This is my first time purchased e.l.f products. I think I started to fall in love with this product since all this things are affordable and good quality.

1. e.l.f Blemish Control Primer ($6) - I had been wanting to try primer for quite a while but to scared to try. I don't want to wasting money on products that only differ in price-not quality. I never really use primers to be honest and would just use moisturizer but I figured for the prices. I would try it out. They have few types of primers by the way. Took almost half an hour to figured out which one is the best for me. I almost grab both Blemish Control and Poreless Face Primer.

2. e.l.f Perfect Finish HD Powder ($6) - I don't know why I bought this actually. Somehow it reminds me, my make up before doesn't keep on all day. I wasn't sure at first if I should buy this product as wasn't sure if it would suit my skin because it's white and I was worried I'd look like a ghost or cake up on me. But from the reviews that I read, it mattifies your skin without making it look like you put powder on your face.

3. e.l.f Makeup Mist & Set ($3) - I always wanted to have setting spray as my makeup doesn't last long. This setting spray is alcohol free and contains moisturizers. This is my first setting spray by the way.

4. e.l.f Eyelash Curler ($2) - I do have eyelash curler and still in good condition. But it does not curl my eyelashes at all so I decided to buy a new one.

5. e.l.f Powder Brush ($3) - I bought this as a set with Perfect Finish HD Powder :)

6. L'Oréal Feria Midnight Collection Hair Color, M32 Violet Soft Black ($8.97) - Bought this because wanting to change my hair color. I am so disappointed with how this hair dye experience turned out, did not change the color at all.

MARSHALLS

We went to Marshalls to shop for clothing but still end up with beauty product. Marshalls has become one of my go-to stores to find trendy items and the items are affordable.

1. SPASCRIPTIONS Brightening Under-Eye Pads ($3.99) - I bought this because it's consider cheap (I guess). Hoping it help illuminate the dull under eye area to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

2. SPASCRIPTIONS Brightening Spa Treatment Mask ($4.99) - My face is a bit darker than my hands which is I don't understand why. Most people have darker hand than their face. I think my hand more exposed to the environment and sun. So by buying this, I'm hoping that it can whitening my face a bit hmmm.

3. Sunglass ($9.99) - My sister recommended this to me because she bought this kind of sunglass with my mom last week. It's for fun since it's cheap. Annnnnd we're ready for summer B-)

That's all for this mini haul. I hope you have enjoyed reading as much as I have writing it. Thankyou so much for reading and I'll see you in my next post.

SKINCARE ROUTINE | COMBINATION / OILY SKIN

My skin is my biggest insecurity since my teenage years. I might have combination to oily skin type. Sometimes my face can be oil greasy skin, sometimes my skin feels tight and sometimes my T-Zone tends shine but the skin the rest of my face is dry/normal. But my big concern here is my acne.

I have acne since I was a teenager but it was kind of mild back then so I didn't really give a damn of it. I'm kind of love hate relationship with pimples because it come and go. The good thing is I never had massive acne, just mild pimples, prone to blackheads and whiteheads. Pimples usually pop out  around my forehead and between my brows only.