Korean Skin Care Routine

Some of my favorite products

   You have probably heard of the multi-step Korean skin care routine from magazines, TV or other blogs. And like me, you were probably overwhelmed by the number of products and the amount of time needed to achieve the bright, dewy glow that all Korean celebrities seem to have (even their male celebs have perfect skin!)

   Just check out these lovely actresses. Song Hye Kyo (top) and Gianna Jun (bottom) are both 34, and Ha Ji Won (middle) is 38 but they barely look a day over 30.

Images of Song Hye Kyo, Ha Ji Won and Gianna Jun are not mine

   From being a reluctant trialist I am now officially a believer! It was a slow and gradual conversion. My routine used to be so basic- cleanse, tone, moisturize, plus eye cream. My initiation into the world of Korean skin care started 2 years ago when I was on the hunt for a holy grail moisturizer.

   After going through several Western and local brands and feeling like my skin didn't improve that much at all, I tried one from Etude House and it worked sooo well that I started trying other products (eye cream was the next), and then soon dabbled in other stuff that were well beyond the typical CTM routine (essence and emulsion anyone?) until one day I just realized that I was using an entire army of products on my face!

   If you are interested in trying this out for yourself, here's a little guide to help you out on your next trip to a Korean beauty store. A few people have also been sending me DMs asking about what I use on my face, and instead of shooting back with just "Korean beauty routine!" I decided to do a whole post about it haha.

   Let me break down the steps here (corresponding products are similarly numbered on the photo above):

1. OIL CLEANSING
I was skeptical about this at first because of my combination skin (more on the oily side), but now I personally think that if you were to make just one major change in your routine, this would be it. Using an oil cleanser before anything else gently lifts the oil based impurities (excess sebum and makeup) sitting on your skin. What I do is spread it all over my face for about a minute, giving my face a little massage in the process, then wipe it all off with a tissue. Depending on how much makeup you use, repeat until all visible traces are gone. It is so satisfying to see all the make up and grime coming off so easily with the oil. I remember back in the dark ages of my non-oil cleansing days, I would use a ton of Cetaphil and wipe my face mercilessly with tissues or a face towel just to remove mascara or long wearing lipstick. Talk about being harsh!

Current fave: Virgin coconut oil

2. REGULAR CLEANSING
After oil cleansing, proceed with your regular facial wash. Try not to use soap or anything with alcohol that will strip the natural oils off the face.

Currently using: MISSHA Fruit Tea Cleanser in Lemon

2A. EXFOLIATING
Exfoliating removes the top layer of dead skin cells and makes your skin super soft and smooth to the touch. There is such a thing as over exfoliating, so try to limit this to twice weekly and be gentle on the skin while scrubbing. Also try to choose scrubs with smaller beads.

Current faves: The Bodyshop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion Exfoliator, Etude House Berry AHA Bright Peel Facial Scrub

3. TONER
Korean toners are nothing like the toners I grew up with. Most of the toners and astringents of the past were alcohol-based and harsh on the skin, with the intention of making the pores smaller and removing excess oil. I used to love that squeaky clean and tight feeling right after using toner, but that wasn't because my pores were shrinking; it's actually the alcohol dehydrating my skin! Not good. Korean toners, however, are alcohol-free, balance the skin's pH, and prep the skin to absorb all the goodness of the succeeding steps.

Currently using: The Face Shop Myeonghan Miindo Heaven Grade Ginseng Whitening Toner

3A. MASKS
I loove using masks. Sheet masks, wash off, peel off- love them all! They're like one shot wonders, super convenient and gives you an instant skin boost whenever you need one. I put this under step 3A because I don't do this daily, only 3-4x week or whenever I feel like my skin needs some extra TLC.

4. ESSENCE
Now this is the part where it starts to get a little bit confusing. Generally, an essence is a watery, less concentrated version of serums. This is considered as another prep step as it aids in the skin's regeneration process and allows better absorption of the serum and moisturizer.

5. EMULSION
An emulsion is a watery version of moisturizer. However, different brands in Korea aren't consistent with this one, as there some that you have to apply before serums, and ones that have to be used after. The rule of thumb here in layering skin care products is that you put the most lightweight ones first, going up to the thickest.

6. SERUM
Serums pack concentrated amounts of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns such as hydration, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, etc. I usually chose brightening serums since I spend a lot of time under the sun to avoid getting uneven skin tone.

Current fave: The Face Shop Blanclouding White Moisture Serum

7. EYE CREAM
The skin around our eyes is thinner and more fragile than the rest of our face, and can easily show signs of aging when not properly taken care of. Korean brands made me a believer in the importance of eye creams when I saw how much of a difference it made to my dark circles. The brands I used in the past didn't help at all and some of them even irritated my eyes.

Current fave: Etude House Honey Cera Eye Pack Cream

8. MOISTURIZER
Now that you've layered on a bunch of creams on your face, we don't want all of that good stuff to evaporate into thin air. Seal it all in with a moisturizer. My current moisturizer is this really light aloe vera gel from Nature Republic. This isn't the last step yet (one more step to go), so I love that it doesn't feel heavy on my skin.

9. SUNBLOCK (AM)
Finally, the last steps!! This one is another important, non-negotiable step. Too much sun exposure causes premature aging and fine lines, which are difficult to correct once they start to set in. I live in a hot, sunny country and my work involves constant sun exposure so I make sure to bring a small bottle of sunblock and retouch every 4 hours.

Current faves: Nature Republic Calendula Sunblock (SPF 50) and Nivea Face Sunblock (SPF 50)

9. SLEEPING PACK (PM)
Another new variation on night cream, and sort of like a hybrid of moisturizer and serum. When we sleep, our skin regenerates and repairs itself. Amp up your beauty sleep with the help of an overnight pack, which provides your skin with an extra dose of nutrients while you sleep.

Current fave: Etude House Toning White C Sleeping Pack

   To make it even easier, here's a summary for the AM and PM routine:

   That's it! It may sound tedious, and you may find some of the steps redundant, but if a tamad girl like me can do this, I think you can too :D I managed to stick to this routine once I saw how much it has helped my skin.  And even if I use a lot of products, my pores don't look enlarged at all, unlike in the past when I used other brands. Korean products also seem to last a really long time- even those I use twice a day would last anywhere from 6 to 12 months.  a

   If you're curious to know what it has done for my skin, please see some of my just woke up, no make up, no filter pictures haha (Umm I just sounded so full of myself LOL! But this is for demonstration purposes though. Sorry I wasn't able to take decent pics, decided to make use of these photos from my phone full of selfies).

   Another one of the rewards I get from this routine is that I don't see the need to pile on base makeup after. No need for heavy concealer and foundations. Most days, I only use sunblock and pressed powder when I go out.

   For those asking if you have to follow all of the recommended steps in the Korean beauty routine, the answer is NO, you don't have to. The great thing about this is that the beauty industry has given us so much options and you can easily personalize a routine that works with your time and budget.

   Personally, I can do without the emulsion. When I'm feeling tired after a long day at work, I usually stick with just steps 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. Or if I'm really reeaaaaally tired, I'll just double cleanse, tone and throw on a mask or sleeping pack haha. It's actually pretty easy and relaxing once you get the hang of it.

   Thanks for reading! What's your experience so far with Korean beauty products? Drop me a line :D

Etude House VIP Girl lipstick in PK007

One word- LOVE!!!! I super love this color (even though I don't exactly look great in it haha). There's just something about cool-toned pinks that I really like. Maybe it's because they're not exactly everyday colors? Unless you're Gaga or Nicki that is...

Consistency and Staying Power:
Creamy, hydrating, easy to apply. Comes off after a meal.

Color: 
It's a very pale, cool-toned pink. Pretty much a whitish lilac with a hint of pink. Really close to the hand swatch and how it looks like in the tube, except for the finish- it looks matte in the tube but it's creamy when applied.

Packaging: 
Comes in a girly-girl hot pink case.

Scent:
Has a very faint sweet bubblegum scent; but don't worry, it isn't irritating to the nose.

A few looks on me... Not exactly my best color, but I still love it!

You'll like this if:

• You like pale shades
• You want something a little bit "different"
• You like cutesy product packaging
• You don't mind looking a bit washed out 
• You love Lady Gaga/Nicki Minaj (ehem, me)

You won't like this if:

• You prefer more "traditional" shades of pink
• You prefer minimalist product packaging

Where to Get:

Etude House, for Php 428. Or shop their online site here http://www.etudehouse.ph/.

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips in PK 001

And so the search for the replacement HG pink lipstick continues. This is from Etude House, from the Dear My Blooming Lips line. Shade PK 001

Love this cute heart embossed on the lipstick itself

lip swatch

What I Like:

Cute packaging! It almost looks like a toy

I love the color, it's a creamy Barbie-pink

Great color pay-off

Very moisturizing

Decent staying power (5 hours, without eating)

What I don't Like:

Nothing :)

How I Wore:

Wore it with a bare face (courtesy of Etude House Precious Minerals All Day Strong BB Cream #1) and light brows (Etude House Color My Brows in #2)

Would I repurchase?

Yes!

Where to Get: 

Etude House stores, for Php 378

Etude House Baby Volume false eyelashes

False eyelashes are a great way to add definition and drama to your look if you don't want to be bothered with applying (and removing) mascara and eyeshadows. This may sound a bit weird, but I consider these as a lazy day makeup quick fix! You could rock them with the least amount of product on your eyes. Most of the time I just use eyeliner with it, no shadows at all. Falsies are also great for girls who want to achieve doll-like lashes but don't want to commit to eyelash extensions.

There are a variety of false eyelash options out there, and it's entirely up to you to choose one that will go with the look you're going for. 

I recently picked up Etude House's Baby Volume false eyelashes and I'm super loving it! It looks really natural and real and not fake at all. It's not heavy, you won't even feel like it's there. And although the lashes look a bit "frail", the quality is good, there hasn't been any fallouts and I've used it 6 times already and the lashline still hasn't been ruined. 

It also comes with its own glue, which has good adhesive power and I like that it can easily be removed with oil-based makeup remover (some eyelash glues are so stubborn that they stick on your eyelashes for days! It looks gross and interferes with eyesight)

There isn't anything I don't like about this, and I would be repurchasing as soon as this pair gets ruined. Check them out (and a variety of other styles as well) at Etude House stores, for Php 128. I admit they probably cost more that the usual falsies we're accustomed to, but these are so worth it!

of beach trips and lip stains

Hi girls! I've been MIA for the past few days, we just got back from Nasugbu, Batangas. We stayed at the Canyon Cove Beach Club, and it was great to be able to see all my counterparts since we only get to see each other a few times a year. I was finally able to visit a beach and go swimming after 3 years (yes, I'm so lame, Boracay can be travelled by land from here and there are so many gorgeous beaches that are even nearer but I never took the time to go).

I stayed with my usual room mates/bed mates, C and L.

Hello Jessica Sanchez

Super gorgeous view to wake up to!

Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without beauty chorvas. For this trip, aside from the quintessential sunblock, my 2nd favorite beauty product is Etude House's Dear Darling Lip Tint in 03. 03 is an orange-based red that looks really nice and natural whether you're on land or swimming in the waters. 

What I Like:

• Great staying power. After eating and swimming, it still stayed on 
• Easy to apply and goes on evenly
• Very pigmented
• Non-drying
• Mild, fruity scent
• No weird taste
• Comes in 3 shades, so you can pick one that matches your skin tone best
• Cute packaging

What I don't like:

Nothing

How to Use:

 Swipe on your lips and spread. For cheeks, start with 3 small dots first (since it's pigmented, try building up the color gradually until you get desired color to avoid clown-red cheeks) and blend out to get a healthy, flushed look

Where To Get:

Etude House, for Php198

Would I repurchase?

Yes!

How about you? What's your favorite lip/cheek stain? Drop me a line! :)

Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

This primer has been getting a lot of good reviews (it has a 4.8/5 rating on makeupalley.com) and a lot of  make up artists/ beauty bloggers claim it's as good as Urban Decay's Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance (both of which are way beyond my budget). So when I was able to get one for myself, I'm glad to say it did live up to all the hype. If you are looking for a good but affordably priced eyeshadow primer, this one definitely fits the bill.

It looks beige in the bottle, but when spread out it's translucent. 

What I like:

• Makes eyeshadow last all day long (more than 12 hours), prevents creasing/smudging
• Makes colors more vibrant and pigmented
• Easy to spread
• Consistency is perfect- upon application, doesn't dry too fast or too long. Just wait for about 5 seconds and you can start applying eyeshadow
• The price- only Php 298
• Easy to find- available at all Etude House branches

What I didn't like:


The packaging- don't get me wrong, it looks nice, but it has a doe foot applicator which can be a bit unhygienic; plus when you've almost consumed the contents, it will be a bit hard to scrape up all the remaining product. It would've been nicer if it came in a squeeze tube.


How to Apply:

1. Take a small amount, swipe it onto an empty make up palette or the back of your hand (compared with swiping it directly onto lids, I find it more hygienic this way haha)
2. Spread all over lids and up to the browbones. I also sometimes put a bit of primer onto the lower lashline.
3. Apply eyeshadow

Would I repurchase?


Yes!

Shiny Discoball Nails

On a random trip to the mall today, my girlfriend and I dropped by one of our favorite kikay places- Etude House. I wasn't particularly looking for something specific, I was just browsing around and spent most of my time at the nail polish section. I love their nail polishes! They have lots of great colors in a variety of finishes (glossy, matte, glittery, high beam), they don't chip off easily, and unlike most locally produced nail polishes, they don't dry up quickly inside the bottle. If there's anything I hate more than a broken nail, it's globby nail polish that leaves clumps of color on the nails.


And since I was totally feeling the holiday spirit, I tried on glitter polish-something that I have never, ever been a fan of before. And it was love at first swipe! I got the Lucidarling Fantastic Nails Spangle in #9, with gold hexagon glitters in a clear base.

How To:

1. I used Etude House Nail polish in BR209 as a base. Now, this part is optional. You can just use clear polish as base, or experiment with other colors as you please. Let dry.


2. Apply the glitter polish. Layer on as many coats as you like.


3. Coat with clear nail polish to make the manicure last. I used Etude House nail polish in WH701.




And tadaa! The result:

Shiny disco ball nails! I opted to cover the entire nail area with glitters, giving it a very nice gold foil effect. Very christmasy I.M.O. But for those of you who prefer the glitters in moderation, what's great about this product is that you can easily control how much glitter you want.


It's official, I am now a glitter convert.