In my first few years of interest in Korean beauty, I was naturally drawn in by the products and their presentation. Any woman that admires cuteness, elegance, or both would be, as Korea especially is terrific when it comes to beauty marketing. Now, a few years into my skincare journey, I’m starting to become less…
Month: December 2015
Review: Mishibox December featuring Tony Moly, Tosowoong and more!
As some of you know, I am on a mission to decide which Korean beauty box is the best for beginners. After all, I am a beginner myself in many ways, and I like the idea that Asian beauty can be introduced to a wide range of people, rather than be a super niche thing that…
Korean vs. Japanese skincare: Which is better?
After years of this ongoing love affair with Korean skincare, I started to wonder what Asia had going on over there. They’d either figured out the fountain of youth, or a good substitute for it, because Asian women had the sort of skin I always wanted: Glowing, healthy, and above all, porcelain. You see, I…
HOW DO I CHOOSE? Picking the right moisturizer
One thing I have talked about in the past on this blog is how getting into Asian beauty (or really, any kind of beauty) can be extremely overwhelming. Yes, Korean beauty is very popular right now, but it’s also a slippery slope to finding yourself at home with 20 products you bought that you have…
The Beauty Report 12/9: Great news for cruelty free AB fans & upcoming reviews
There are lots of new releases to be excited about this week (tis the season), but a news announcement towers over all of them for me: The Humane Society International announcement that South Korea will be making some waves for beauty companies who test on animals. About that new cruelty-free law: Many of you may already…
The Asian beauty lexicon: Does it scare people away?
[Pic via bibibeauty.com] Actives. AHAs. BHAs. pH levels. PIH. Closed comedones. Ceramides. Arbutin. Propolis. That’s a lot of new lingo, and a lot to remember. In fact, I think maybe not every person interested in having better skin is going to become a skincare addict or a walking encyclopedia of terms. And while it’s perfectly…
The Beauty Report 12/3: Santa mask mini-review, Missha holidays and new friends
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — in other words, the time when our beloved k-beauty companies launch exclusives like gunfire and you’re left laying there wondering how your credit card managed to actually CATCH ON FIRE. More of that in a moment, though. First let’s talk about the absolutely insane experience I…
Sleeping in makeup to 10 steps: Why change?
I recall an experience a few years ago when my mother (an esthetician for decades) tried to introduce me to a line of products she was carrying, created by a dermatologist. As I recall, the routine was a cleanser, a toner, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. To me at the time, that was a INSUFFERABLY…
How do I get into skincare and not go broke?
In the world of Asian skincare, sometimes it seems like the person with the biggest collection wins. Maybe it’s because it’s so much fun to engage in the community and chat about products, or the thrill of getting a new goodie (or, you know, an entire box of them). But dipping your toe into the world…