July Faves and Fails
Friday, July 31, 2015
Labels:
botanic farm,
budget,
caolion,
cremorlab,
face mist,
jin soon,
korean,
leejiham ljh,
lip tint,
luxury,
mid-end,
nail polish,
press sample,
sheet mask,
skincare,
tatcha,
too cool for school tcfs
Posted by
Joan Lee
7:43 PM, By:
Joan Lee
No comments:
TG2KB 5C. Researching Products; How to Figure Out What You Want to Buy - Blogs & Youtube
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
To me, Korean beauty is fascinating because Korea has such a fast-paced culture of efficiency and convenience, often called the "빨리빨리 문화" or "bbal-lee bbal-lee moonhwa", where people are always busy, always on-the-go. It's crazy. I mean, this is a place where you can walk in for an eye exam and walk out with a brand new pair of glasses or contact lenses within the hour! Other craziness... you can get any restaurant to deliver any food, anywhere, anytime... for those all-nighters you're bound to pull at work, school, or the club...
To know that these elaborate beauty and skincare rituals arose in that kind of environment, makes Kbeauty even more compelling. Why would a modern day Seoulite hit pause on the rest of their busy day for a 30 to 60 minute self-care session when there's so much to be done? Why is there such an emphasis on health and beauty? I'm guessing maybe because it's a really nice way to slow down, and stop and smell the roses (in your rose petal adorned toner or cleanser) in the midst of a busy urban lifestyle. Okay, so I don't really know, but what I do know is that this emphasis on self-care is starting to look hella appealing to the rest of the world.
Korean beauty has been rising slowly and steadily in the West for a little while now, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it is a part of the norm. Part of the reason for that is that there isn't as much coverage or information out there as there is on say the latest Sephora brand release. Today's TG2KB is all about how to fill this informational void. I'll be talking about 25 sources for your Korean beauty news. Other than this blog which, I hope you'll keep in your blogroll. ^^
The blogs and Youtube channels featured in today's post are all currently active, written or filmed in English (at the very least transcripted or subbed in English), and boast a wide catalog of Korean beauty related content.
LOVE MORE SILK FACE SHEET MASKS
Monday, July 27, 2015
I'm on a roll today! I know I JUST posted, but sometimes the blogging bug strikes and you feel like writing. This doesn't happen to me often (I don't consider myself a writer), so I'm going to capitalize on it...
Also, I know that I JUST posted about my favorite budget sheet masks with my "Intro to Sheet Masking" graphic two weeks ago, but these Love More masks! I feel so strongly about them! I have to give them their own little spot on the blog, to mirror the spot they take up in my heart. They're just way too beautiful and work way too well for me to not talk about them. I'm not a daily sheet masker, but I have managed to work my way through 40 of them recently (I had a little bit of help, but I kept most of these for myself) and have more on the way. They definitely belong alongside the Whamisa hydrogels in my sheet mask hall of fame.
Okay, so I'd really appreciate it you hit play on the following song as you read my review about these masks... to really get how I feel about them.
Labels:
budget,
love more,
sheet mask,
skincare,
taiwanese
Posted by
Joan Lee
12:36 PM, By:
Joan Lee
No comments:
Horse Oil Cream Thoughts, Demo, & Dilemma
1, 2, 3's a trend right? I've been seeing reviews for this Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream (which has been enjoying popularity overseas) start popping up in the West lately. I find that I can resist most trends when it comes to beauty and fashion, but I hop onto skincare trends with no reservations, and no regrets. Majestic companion creatures be damned. Just kidding, we'll talk about how horse oil is sourced shortly, hopefully that will absolve you of any guilt you may have when you start longing to try this cream.
Labels:
claire's,
guerisson guerrison,
korean,
mid-end,
skincare
Posted by
Joan Lee
11:25 AM, By:
Joan Lee
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Unboxing: July 2015 MISHIBOX
Friday, July 24, 2015
Well, it looks like hell must have frozen over, because I'm doing an unboxing! I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I have a real problem letting others pick things out for me, being a control freak and all, especially about what goes on my face. But after salivating over the contents of last month's Mishibox (seen here at HolySnails), I thought, what the hey... Let's let someone else do the curating for a change.
Mishibox is a Korean beauty box subscription company that provides 6 products every month for $19.95. 4 of the 6 products I received are full-size. They're currently only in the U.S., but are hosting an international waiting list for the future, which you can join here.
Brow Products for Incredibly Sparse & Short Eyebrows
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
I have incredibly sparse eyebrows from growing up with brow muses like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and others in the 90's. I totally over-plucked and now I'm left with really short and sparse eyebrows. It took me a while to catch up with everyone else, but I think I've finally remedied that with a few trusty tools.
THE TOOLS
To fix "SPARSE" I turn to...
Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Pencil in 01 Ash Brown
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown
elf Eyebrow Kit in Medium
And to fix "SHORT" I lean on...
Etude House Mini Brow Class 3rd Class Drawing Guide
Labels:
elf,
etude house,
eyebrows,
korean,
nyx
Posted by
Joan Lee
2:20 PM, By:
Joan Lee
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Shopathome.com Black Friday In July
Monday, July 20, 2015
Hi, this is just a heads up to all of my readers that Shopathome.com is having a 3x Cash Back event called Black Friday in July for 1 week only!
Shopathome.com is a rebates site just like ebates.com It actually has a 110% guarantee that it will match competitors' rebates offers, if you find a better deal somewhere else.
Facial Oils Review
Sunday, July 19, 2015
I said "Oil be bahck" with an Oils post, and here it is. Today is all about facial oils. I tend to use these oils as a last step to seal moisture into my skin at night.
As facial oils are a hot button topic that draws a lot of debate (check the comments) and DRAAAMAAA on the web, I'll be talking more about my experiences with these oils rather than going too in-depth about the science behind them... I won't even touch upon the merits or drawbacks of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat content, lest my blog be outed to the Food Babes of the world. If you're interested in that topic, you can head on over to the Beauty Brains for the down-low.
Labels:
budget,
garden of wisdom,
oil,
resource,
skincare
Posted by
Joan Lee
3:03 PM, By:
Joan Lee
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TG2KB Part 5b. Researching Products; How to Figure Out What You Want to Buy - AllofCosmetics
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Last time, we covered how to use CosDNA to do a ton of useful stuff. Like analyze the ingredients of that cream you'd been eyeing... Or find out which products have all of the ingredients you want, and none of the ingredients you don't. Wow, that just sounded like an ad campaign. Anyways.
CosDNA is great, and most people who are into Korean or Asian beauty rely on it heavily. It's great because it's like the model UN of skincare databases. It covers Western, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese products. However, I've found that its database is pretty limited when it comes to Korean beauty products that are new releases, or on the less popular side, or not as heavily distributed outside of Korea.
When looking to analyze these more underground Korean beauty products, I turn to AllofCosmetics.
Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream SPF 30 PA++ Review
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Fall Update: Please note that I have since found a way to make this cream work for me. I mix in a few drops of moisturizer to thin out the coverage, causing it to not slide into my lines, and ensuring it leaves a moisturizing finish, which serves as a barrier to the Fall and Winter winds! I've since started loving this product.
Today I'll be reviewing the Triple the Solution BB Cream with SPF 30 PA++ protection from the Lioele range. They make two BB creams, and this is the one that is targeted towards more mature skin types.
If you loiter around on Asian beauty shopping sites you are probably already familiar with Lioele. It's carried many places and just kind of reels you in with its adorable, princess-y packaging. Kind of like the packaging at le House d' Etude... Packaging similaries aside, Lioele is actually more of a mid-end brand targeted at women in their twenties, while Etude House is a road shop (or Korean drugstore) brand that is more targeted at teenagers. It's kind of like Lioele is Etude House's sorority big sister, if she were part of a chapter at a private university? I got nothin'.
Labels:
bb cream,
korean,
lioele,
mid-end,
press sample
Posted by
Joan Lee
12:07 AM, By:
Joan Lee
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Sheet Masking 101 + Best Sheet Masks Under $2
Sunday, July 12, 2015
By now, sheet masks are nothing new. Every other day we see a snap of a celebrity gettin' their glow on with one and for good reason...
They're basically the "gateway drug" of Asian beauty products.
They're affordable.
They are packed full of nutrients.
And if you choose wisely, they don't duplicate any step you already have in your skincare routine.
It also doesn't hurt that slapping one of these babies on is an excellent way to destress for half an hour.
Labels:
budget,
freeset,
giveaway,
japanese,
korean,
love more,
my beauty diary mbd,
my scheming,
resource,
sheet mask,
skincare,
taiwanese
Posted by
Joan Lee
6:38 PM, By:
Joan Lee
No comments:
3 Concept Eyes 3CE Glam Cream Shadow | Chosungah 22 Dark Punk
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Today's post is a Face of the Day (FOTD) featuring the new cream eyeshadow products from 3 Concept Eyes and Chosungah 22 that I teased about last week. Greens often get overlooked when it comes to picking out makeup for a night out but if you want to match your eyes to your dirty martini, read on!
The products I picked up are the...
3 Concept Eyes (3CE) Glam Cream Shadow in Golden Nude
Chosungah 22 Dark Punk in Smoke Olive
Labels:
3 concept eyes 3ce,
chosungah 22 chosungah22,
eyeliner,
eyeshadow,
korean,
mid-end,
stylenanda
Posted by
Joan Lee
2:28 PM, By:
Joan Lee
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TG2KB Part 4: Korean Beauty [Online] Retailers
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Today is all about the online retail stores where you can shop Korean beauty products. There are a ton, so I'll get started. The sellers featured in today's post are my trusted retailers that I have actually purchased from. I can get a bit slutty with brands and retailers so there are a lot of them. These are the retailers that at this point in time I feel have the ability to deliver a great customer experience as evidenced by the large volumes they're doing.
So what are my retail biases?
You'll see some of the usual suspects, but there are also some newer retailers popping up here and there that have been starting to ruin my bias list!
GOMF. You're ruining everything TOP! |
There are many different types of retailers.
(1) Stores you probably already frequent (if you live in North America, anyway)
(2) North America-based kbeauty boutiques
(3) Asia-based kbeauty malls
(4) eBay sellers
(5) Amazon sellers
(6) Official brand storefronts
(7) Beauty box companies.
There are also some stores that are based in Europe (ex: Cult Beauty), but being from North America, I'm not that familiar with them. As such, I won't be covering them today.
Also, full disclosure. I've linked the stores below, but as always, like everywhere else on this blog.. some of the links may be affiliate links. For more information, see my disclaimer.
Too Cool For School | Dinoplatz | Art Class | Eyeshadows
Monday, July 6, 2015
Enamored with Too Cool For School ( 투쿨포스쿨)
Oh my stars. I fell in love [with TCFS] the way you fall asleep, slowly, and then all at once.
That's right. I feel so mushy about my TCFS haul that I quoted John Green. Who knows, maybe my feels will reach Nicholas Sparks level some day. In any case, I hope you're ready to fall in love with TCFS too.
Too Cool For School is a brand that does both makeup and skincare. They're known for their cute, quirky, and irreverent designs. Their brand concept is that they create that cosmetics that double as mini artworks (check). Their brand slogan is also really adorable. It goes ...
Although life can get boring,
You can not succumb
You do not get bored,
Because you're special!
Gah, so friggin' cute!
Labels:
eyeshadow,
korean,
mid-end,
too cool for school tcfs
Posted by
Joan Lee
2:18 AM, By:
Joan Lee
No comments:
Happy Fourth of July! A Teaser: TCFS, Chosungah22, 3CE
Saturday, July 4, 2015
I hope you're all out enjoying some sun and a bit of rest and relaxation!
These arrived in the mail last week.
- Too Cool For School Dinoplatz (Eye) Shadow on Flatiron
- Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Eye Krrrayon
- Too Cool For School Art Class et Contre Tous Colors-for-All
- Chosungah22 Dark Punk
- 3 Concept Eyes Glam Cream Shadow
Today you get the STARS and over the next week or two you'll get the STRIPES (swatches, proper) and a full review!
Labels:
3 concept eyes 3ce,
chosungah 22 chosungah22,
eyeshadow,
korean,
mid-end,
stylenanda,
too cool for school tcfs
Posted by
Joan Lee
11:11 AM, By:
Joan Lee
No comments:
TG2KB Part 3: Korean Beauty Brands
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Welcome back, this is part 3 of TG2KB, where I will be introducing Korean beauty brands! I've been pretty motivated to keep this series going as I feel we've reached peak Kbeauty lately. The other day Byrdie.com ran an article on best kept Korean SHOWER secrets (lol!) where they interviewed Kbeauty industry insiders on their shower routines. Link to that article here. So enough with the intro chatter, let's get you prepped to take the plunge aka make your first kbeauty product selection!
You dive right in like Steven Yeun! |
I'm going to limit my scope to just skincare and makeup brands that focus on women's cosmetics. There are plenty of personal care, body care, hair care, beauty supplements/foods, and men's lines available too, but since there are literally a metric elephantpoop-ton number of brands in the Kbeauty marketplace, I pretty much have to leave them out.
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