natjtan I can’t believe it’s February! January flew by and dragged out. Does anyone else have months like that?
My latest ‘obsession’ is Korean cosmetics and for good reason. Since I’ve discovered Miin and Missha here, Sephora hasn’t had much of a look in. Korean skincare is years ahead of Western skincare and the packaging is much cuter!
I have 3 requirements when it comes to cosmetics and skincare. Number 1, no animal testing! Number 2 no animal ingredients that I’m aware of apart from honey and beeswax. I’m a vegan, but I eat honey. Number 3, no nasty ingredients like parabens, SLS, petrochemicals etc. I prefer more natural products, thought with make up this can be tricky, so I go with what I can get. My skin’s a combination, oily and dry.
Etude House Drawing Show, Brush Liner Eyeliner, Black
What I love about this eyeliner is it’s application. I’m not the best at applying eyeliner. One eye goes fine, the other I have to even out the two eyes. I can never seem to get eyeliner on the water line and make it stay there (or even get it on the water line!). This pen I can work with to get it as close and fine to the waterline just above the eyelashes. I like the liner a little thicker on the outer eye and this can get the thickness. The application’s smooth, if I make boo boo, it doesn’t try immediately so I have a few seconds to do my best to sort it out without much smudging. It also doesn’t as I’ve noticed with eyeliners (maybe this is how I apply it. I slant the pen) affect mascara. I’ve noticed the lashes are coated in eyeliner with the mascara clumping even with an eyelash comb. This doesn’t do this! If I want it longer lasting, I apply black eyeshadow as a liner over the top. It also lasts through workouts! 
Tony Moly Cat Wink Clear Pact #2
I featured this in Weekend Friday Favourites a few weeks ago, but I found out I was using it incorrectly. I’d been using the a kabuki brush which was okay. 2 weeks ago, while I was waiting for it to dry, I used the puff that came with it that I’d left in as a shock absorber in case I dropped it. The difference between using a brush and a puff was immediate. Smoother application and longer lasting between touch ups. I mentioned this to the girl in Miin who said, doh, you use the puff not a brush! My excuse, I’ve always read apply powder with a brush! When I have used powder and puff previously, it’s clogged as I’ve tried to soak up the shine. But then this from Korea and they know a thing or about oily skin and powders. I should mention that this is a translucent powder!
Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
I used this as a morning serum. It felt at first a little drying, but since I’ve been using an essence underneath, it feels better. Pre essence I did notice a difference with lines and general texture. Post essence my skin loves it! It’s a little expensive, but is lasts about 2-3 months so the price isn’t so bad spread out. I love that helps protect my skin from pollution and UV damage, helps with skin tone and texture while simulating collagen!
Aside from the cute packaging that may have incited me, what I love about this is that they’re perfect handbag size! They’re quick absorbing, non greasy and have been helping me fight my chapped hands!
Sephora Kiss Me, Pink Bubble Gum balm/gloss
This gives that just barely there colour more than a lip balm, smells like bubble gum and best bit, isn’t sticky.
Firstly I can’t believe the price of these compared to Sephora’s own and they do a better job (because they’re Korean!). Sephora’s own sheet masks are €3.95 each. These are €1.99! The sheet mask itself is a lot thicker than other masks I’ve tried and after working my way through those without parabens, my skin loves the rice, lotus and mango. You apply them after cleansing, toning and serum and before cream. Basically the sheet stops ingredients from evaporating before they can do their job. They are best done alone but they’re worth the 20 minutes of looking like an horror movie extra. At the moment with cold air outside and warm air indoors, they’ve been helping adding extra hydration for brighter skin. I can’t wait for the summer to pop one in the fridge before applying and feel my face cool down!
The Little Book of Skin Care, Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin, Charlotte Cho
If you get excited walking into Sephora, Boots, CVS, John Lewis Beauty hall or any beauty hall for that matter, you’ll get excited reading this! Admittedly I’m only 1/2 way through after finding it in Urban Outfitters last week. Something said go in and I’m glad I did. Charlotte Cho an American Korean who grew up anti beauty products moved to Korea for a few years, only to return to the US to get her esthetician licence. I think that says it all about Korean skincare. Western skincare or cosmetics is about contouring, covering up blemishes, removing shine then applying highlighters, matte skin, heavy make up. Korean skincare is the opposite. It’s about having such radiaten skin, you don’t need much make up. Which explains why in Miin, they have more skin care products than make up. 1/2 way through reading and everything clicked. Why wasn’t this book around 20 years ago? I needed it back then! I have been doing for years what she preaches the most, wearing SPF. That I have been doing right!
2 days after only getting 1/4 way through and okay, sneakily reading ahead, I was in Miin looking at essence, night masks, different cleansers and in the supermarket looking for an Italian exfoliating cloth (I went with a sisal exfoliating glove). It’s only been a week and I’m already noticing a huge difference. My skin feels hydrated, looks healthier from following the advice. The best bit, a glow during the day instead of oil shine. My existing cleanser, toner, night cream and SPF I’m still be using and appear to be working happily with the new editions. Emphasis is the right products, not who endorses it, whether it’s expensive. Expensive doesn’t always mean it works better than a cheaper product. I wish I could phrase the review more eloquently. Basically if you’re a beauty junkie, I can’t recommend it enough! She also has her own online store, Soko Glam selling products in the US. In Europe, there’s Miin!
Have your tried any Korean Skin care products? What’s your latest cosmetics obsession?!
[…] my skin. Then I was concerned about the build up of coconut oil in the drains. I tried and liked Korean Italian cloth exfoliator mitts. Named Italian Cloth as the viscose they’re made from first came to Korean from Italy. Like […]
[…] mentioned in January Beauty Finds, Missha’s Love Secret hand cream I have stashed my bag that I use out and about (mostly after […]
Hi Nat – can we explain where January shifted off to in a hurry? Saying that the light is coming back slowly after early mornings of pitch black commuting – there is light at the end of the tunnel 🙂 I don’t have much time for make-up but really like the sound of the magic sheets you mentioned, I’m sure my skin is in need of a winter detox/cleanse – trying this on a budget is tricky! At Christmas I thought I asked for a brand of compact powder that helps differences in your face and produces a balanced look… It wasn’t the most expensive and perhaps that’s why it wasn’t so good, I didn’t look any different after three applications, third time wasn’t the charm… I’ll perhaps have to consider a very lightly tinted moisturiser instead, roll on spring weather and some sun to lift the complexion a bit 🙂
Hope the boys are keeping well xxxx
I know how you feel! Korean skincare is about the skin, not about covering up problems with make up like in the west. Check out soko.com She explains the 10 step skincare system and stress that it doesn’t have to be the most expensive brand. More what works for your skin. I think you’ll like the double cleanse! My skin feels so much better using an oil based cleanser followed by a water based one. My basic cleaner, toner, night cream and body lotion are from iherb.com They favour natural products and are great value for money even shipping from US to Spain! They work out cheaper if they pass customs than buying in Spain or shipping from the UK. The Korean products I purchased since reading her book, were a little more than what I’m used to paying, but they came in larger sizes than there Western equivalents and feel oh so good! If you can find an authentic Korean BB cream you might be happy! I know Boots sell Dr Jart, but I didn’t get on with their BB cream (plus I think it had parabens in), but you might.
I hate it too when I buy a product that doesn’t work or I don’t like the formula. Even if it’s €5 or less! I try to always Google reviews before buying. The times I’ve gone against bad reviews, I’ve regretted it. It’s a pity in Europe they don’t hand out bigger sized testers more to avoid these situations. They do in Asia! Wasted money! I’m thinking of this month beauty finds to be the not so beauty finds! Have great week enjoying the lighter mornings xoxo