Showing posts with label korean beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label korean beauty. Show all posts

Korean Beauty Things You Should Never Do!

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Ok, so I felt like this video deserved a post on the blog as well. I've noticed that although Korean Beauty has been gaining popularity, there are also some things that are being done...incorrectly. I don't like using that term because I feel like I'm being very patronizing. Also, let's face it...there's really no definite way to do anything. There always several ways to do something and different methods in makeup and skincare. However, there could be certain things you're doing that's not utilizes Korean Beauty to its maximum potential. So, I'm here to clarify! But hey, if you are doing these things and they work for you... by all means... don't let me stop you!


Let's get to the breakdown... 


My Related Product Recommendations



1. Not washing off your sleeping pack
Sleeping packs are meant for...well...sleeping. I know all of us sometimes get lazy in the morning and decide to skip washing our face. If you applied a sleeping mask the night before, then this is a HUGE mistake. Leaving sleeping masks on the following day can causes breakouts because it's collects dirt and oil ... and then you're applying makeup on top of that *cringe*. I've experienced it myself. I literally forgot to wash my face (hey, I get wrapped up in work!) and then immediately had little breakouts all over my skin. I understand, sometimes we're running late or don't have time for a whole skincare routine in the morning. At least, use a cleansing water or face wipe on your skin though. Moral of the story, start your day off with a fresh face... ALWAYS!

2. Rubbing vs. Patting 
If you're familiar with Korean dramas or you've watched Korean skincare commercials, you'll notice that everyone majestically pats skincare onto their face. Is this just a ploy to sell skincare and make it look more luxurious?! No. It's actually a technique. The idea behind this is that through patting, you're increasing the absorption of your skincare. You're essentially slapping (ok, don't slap that hard!) the skincare into your pores so it absorbs more effectively and faster. Also, when you pat your skin, you don't agitate your skin as much as you would when you rub your skin. It also bring blood flow to the area, which is thought to be healthy for your skin. Side note: I once took a yoga class where we started each class off with 5 minutes of patting the skin on our bodies. I always thought this was silly (I'm sure it looked silly) but I have to say, my skin and body did feel more energized. If anyone knows the science behind this, please share!

3. You're not double cleansing your skin
Double cleansing is a Korean technique where you use a cleansing oil/balm first to break up your makeup and then you cleanse your face with a face wash. Why is this important? Simple. When you don't double cleanse, you're not really cleaning your skin. The first step is using a cleansing balm or oil to breakup your makeup, sunscreen, etc. I know what you're thinking... if I don't wear makeup, should I still double cleanse? Yes, because I'm assuming you're at least using a sunscreen everyday (SMH if you're not! Protect that skin!). After you breakup all that makeup and rinse your skin, then you can use a cleanser to wash your skin. This step actually works into the pores and removes all the impurities. If you just go straight to your face wash without using a cleansing balm or oil first, your face wash is working hard to remove the makeup, sunscreen, free radicals. It doesn't actually get down to your skin.

Here's what I use to double cleanse if you're curious! 

4. You're not toning your skin 
Toning in North America is a little different than toning in Korea. In North America, toners are usually very astringents and harsh on the skin. It's not suitable for dry skin because it dries your skin out. It could also over-strip oily skin and cause your skin to produce more oil. In Korea, toners balance your skin after cleansing and adds moisture to your skin. Think of it as a reset for your skin after washing. It's super important and helps the rest of your skincare routine absorbs more effectively.

5. Don't be too rough with your skin
For this point, I'm also referring to toning. You'll notice some people really pull at their skin when they're toning. You don't need to be rough with your skin! Just gently swipe the toner over your skin. The toner will do the work! Also, always swipe in an upward morning. You do this to fight gravity and prevent premature sagging/wrinkling!

6. Pat on cushion compacts, don't swipe
Wow, I talked a lot about applications methods! Now this one, I can't really fault people for. Cushion compacts have become more popular in the last year and I've noticed a lot of bloggers reviewing cushion compacts. However, most of them are not into Korean Beauty, nor do they research or follow it. Because of this, it's assumed you're supposed to swipe on the foundation. However, the correct method is to pat the foundation on. The foundation will have higher coverage, will look more smooth, and will blend better. Plus, I LOVE air puffs and I want everyone else to see how amazing they are! To do this, you must pat, not swipe and you'll experience the magic that is the air puff!

7. You're using eyelid glue or tape
*Sigh* I know this is going to be rough for those of you guys who use eyelid tape or glue. I'm really doing this as a PSA so you understand the consequences of using these products. They might make your eye appear larger and give you the effect of a double eyelid, but they could permanently stretch your eye. Anything that is pulling at your eyelid for prolonged periods of time will stretch the skin and cause it to sag. So even though it might correct something, it could also be causing another issue. Just keep that in mind! I know that some people also use them thinking that it'll eventually create a double eyelid but unfortunately, this is not how it works. This might be slightly controversial but there's no way that these will permanently create a crease. If you don't believe me, just do a little research. A lot of doctors and plastic surgeons (who are professionals!) say that these do pull at the skin and cause sagging.  

I hope you guys enjoyed this video and maybe learned something! Let me know of some other things you've noticed are being done incorrectly or videos you'd like to see! 

xoxo, 
Morgan 

[REVIEW] New Etude House Any Cushion Cream Filter First Impressions

Thursday, October 20, 2016

I know, I'm a sucker for cute packaging. Who isn't though?! I saw Etude House's promos of this cushion and I was smitten. Call it love at first sight? Yes, I think so. This is the new Etude House Any Cushion Cream Filter so...


Let's get to the breakdown.... 


Wanna pick one up too?! Here's where I got mine
Packaging
I REALLY like the packaging of this cushion. Personally, I'm really liking what Etude House has been doing lately. I've noticed they're really slimming down their cushion packaging. Not only does this make it more compact, but it just looks so sleek. And can we talk about the holographic cover?! I'm obsessed. It's so beautiful and eye-catching!
The back of the box and compact
Coverage
The coverage of this is low. This does not cover a lot of imperfections and you would definitely need to use a concealer with this cushion. If you have great skin already, you could probably get away with using this alone. For me, I like my pimples, dark circles, etc. to be perfectly concealed so I would've liked this cushion more if the coverage was higher.
I have a dark, little freckle on my wrist. I use that to demonstrate the coverage :) 
Blend-ability
The formula of this cushion is extremely blend-able. It's very effortless and in no time, you're perfectly blended. The formula of this is also a bit sticky upon first applying this. This helps with the adherence to the skin, therefore, making it very easy to work with. Also, this cushion has a "net" aka, the filter. This helps the foundation smooth over the puff more evenly. In turn, making it easier to work with as well.

Shades
Shades. Shades. Shades. This is something that, for most, is an immediate "yes!" or "deal-breaker!". Fortunately, Etude House came out with 5 shades for this cushion foundation! Thank goodness. I personally feel like more Korean Beauty brands need to come out with a higher range of shades. There's vanilla, petal, beige, sand (the one I got!), and tan. I included the promo swatches in my video, but if you're still unsure, I would definitely recommend checking out other live/blog swatches online. Always super helpful, right?!

Lasting-ability
This lasting-ability of this is.. meh. I felt like a lot of it wore off by the 4-5 hour mark. Although, this isn't necessarily marketed as a long-wearing cushion. I feel like a little primer and powder would make it last a lot longer. However, on it's own, it doesn't last spectacularly long.

Finish
This finish of this is another win for me. I love how natural this looks. Now, when I heard this was a "moisturizing" cushion, I was torn. I loved the packaging, but I know myself... I usually don't like moisturizing or dewy cushions. I just don't like the look personally! Although, this is always a battle because I do have dry skin. To me, this cushion was the perfect balance. I LOVED the glow, didn't find it overly sticky or wet, and loved that it kept my skin hydrated.
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This is not going to make your skin look perfect... unless your skin is already really nice. I do find this is a nice, light cushion but I love me some coverage (like most people I think!). I just wish the coverage was a little higher and that it lasted for a bit longer. Do I think this is a bad cushion? Absolutely not. Is this a must-buy? Absolutely not. Worth a shot if you're curious but keep in mind the notes I made above :) For more information, swatches, and a demo, don't forget to check out the video review I did of this! Also, check out my youtube channel, The Beauty Breakdown, for more Korean beauty, travel, etc!

xoxo,
Morgan


[HAUL] New The Face Shop Disney Collection Haul, Review and Demo

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Ok so fun fact...I'm a HUGE Disney fan. I love anything Disney so when I saw The Face Shop had released a new collection collaborating with Disney, I had to get it! I immediately went online, expedited my shipping so I could get it quickly, and made this video for you guys :) I was sure to swatch, demo and review everything so you guys could get a good idea of what the collection is like. Here's the written version for those of you who prefer this type of format!!
Let's get to the breakdown....

The Face Shop Disney Coloring Stick Eyeshadows
I ordered two of these stick eyeshadows because in all honesty, I wasn't super interested in these. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of Korean beauty companies make really similar shades. I only picked out a couple so I could review them for you guys. These, in my opinion, aren't really that great. They look pretty, are sparkly, and smooth but these fade really fast. They also smudge pretty quickly so really these are only nice for the packaging. 

The Face Shop Disney Cushion Foundations
These were products I really wanted to try! I LOVE the packaging on these and I love that they are 3D . There are 3 different formulas, which I believe are all new. If they're not new, The Face Shop changed the names of them. I'm going to test them out further and give you a more in-depth review but for now, this is a little overview of what the concept of these are. The Mickey case is the BB Power Perfection. This one is meant for oily/normal skin. The Mike case is the CC Long-Lasting cushion. Like the name implies, this is designed to last all day and through humidity. Finally, the Pooh bear packaging is the CC Cooling Cushion. This one is the moisture version and is designed for dry skin. 
Buy them here: 

The Face Shop Disney Lip Products
The Face Shop Disney Tinted Lip Balm
This is a nice little tinted lip balm. The consistency is closer to a gel than a cream and I also love the smell of this. It smells like candy! I love how smooth this applies and it feels really comfortable on the lips. Plus, the color is actually visible and it gives your lips a nice touch of color. 

The Face Shop Disney Ink Gel Stick
I got one of these and this is another product I would say isn't a must. It's a decent lipstick but I just find this a little too slick for my liking. The consistency feels a bit cheap because it's so thin. The color is fairly nice but again, I feel like it's the packaging that sells this product. 

I also got the watery tint in Pink Imagination and I really like this tint. It's a comfortable tint to wear, doesn't overly dry your lips, doesn't crack and it lasts for a while. I think the tinted lip balm and the watery tint are the winners here. I would recommend those over the gel lipstick for sure! 
Swatches from left to right: Ink Gel Stick in Coral Overalls, Tinted Lip Balm in Sweet Rich Pink, and Watery Tint in Pink Imagination
The stain that's left behind after wiping the swatches off
The Face Shop Disney Mono Pop Lips & Eyes
There are 3 palettes available with this collection. I ended up getting the Mickey version (even though I ordered the Pooh version too but US customs took it out of my package for some reason) and this is the only palette out of the three that has both the eyeshadows and cheek/lip colors. This is the perfect palette for traveling, staying overnight somewhere, or if you're looking for a beginner palette. The colors are nice and neutral and the eyeshadows are pigmented and smooth. I would say the cream colors are better on the lips than the cheeks. I would definitely recommend this palette! 
Alright you guys! Hope you had fun checking out this collection with me! Let me know of any other collections you'd like me to check out :) 

FTC: This is not a sponsored post. I purchased the products with my own money. Affiliate links used!

xoxo,
Morgan 

[REVIEW] Rire Lip Powder Review in Hot Plum

Monday, June 20, 2016

I'm always on the hunt for interesting and fun products (let me know if you find any ok? :D ) so when I saw this RIRE Lip Powder, I knew I had to get it and test it out. Check out my video review below to see what I thought about it!

Let's get to the breakdown...


So, in typical fashion, here are the close-up pics and my written review of the product.

RIRE Lip Powder in Hot Plum
Pick one up HERE (affiliate) 
Packaging...
The packaging is... ok. Honestly, to me, it looks a little cheap. Plus, I don't find it that functional. As you can see in the demo that I did in the video, the handle actually makes applying the product more difficult. It doesn't allow for an accurate application and since the handle is tapered, I could see this slipping out of my fingers, dropping it, and making a mess. 
Consistency
This had the COOLEST consistency. Like the name implies, it does start off as a powder. However, magically, it turns into a liquid lipstick consistency when you apply it or rub it. I love it and it actually feels fairly moisturizing on my lips considering this started off as a powder. 
 Application
This applies really smoothly. I love how it glides onto my lips, which are usually very dry. Like I mentioned above, I'm not a fan of the packaging, but overall, the actual product was nice to apply. Plus, I really liked the color!
Overall
I didn't test this to see how long it would last, however, it did pretty much seem like a liquid lipstick stain. It does stain a little bit but you can also wipe it off for the most part. Hopefully, that makes sense. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this first impressions and let me know of any other cool products you've tried!!

Packaging: **
Consistency: *****
Color: ****
Overall: ****

xoxo,
Morgan 

[HAUL] Asian Beauty Products + MASSIVE Laneige Haul

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Preview alert! So later today, I'll be releasing my haul from Singapore! (One of the benefits of following my blog... seeing things earlier than everyone else :D )While I was there, I picked up some Asia exclusives, Japanese beauty products, and a BUNCH of stuff from Laneige. I was looking for Singaporean beauty products, but I guess for the most part, they import a lot of their beauty. I took the opportunity, however, to look at some Asia exclusive products and pick up some other things because it's a little cheaper while I'm in Asia versus buying it overseas. Anyways, I'm talking to much so let's get into the haul :)

Let's get to the breakdown...
Laneige Beauty Products
Ok first let me say I did get all my Laneige products given to me. Laneige was a big sponsor of the Clozette Style Party, so they supplied me with all these goodies! Thank you so much :) Also, if you want more info on some of these products, let me know! For the most part, this is going to be a very pic-heavy post. Also, watch the video to get more of my thoughts on the products and the actual shade names. This post is for getting a closer look of the products :) 
Laneige Skincare
From left to right: Water Bank Moisture Cream, Water Bank Eye Gel, Water Bank Mineral Mist, and Water Bank Essence_EX
 From left to right: Clear C Advanced Effector, Multiberry Yogurt Repair Pack, Lip Sleeping Pack, Foam Cleanser Moisture_EX 
 From left to right: White Plus Review Original Essence_EX, Water Science Mist Sparkling Water, Perfect Pore Cleansing Oil, Firming Sleeping Pack 
 From left to right: Regenerating Sheet Mask, Capsule Sleeping Pack 
 Sun Block Sensitive SPF 30 PA ++
 From left to right: Collagen Supplemental Drinks, White Plus Renew Sample Kit 
Laneige Point Makeup Products
Two-Tone Shadow Bars (shades listed in the video)
 Two tone lip bars
 Whitening, Anti-Aging and Pore Control Cushions 
 From left to right: Intense Lip Gel, Lip Tint Gel
 From left to right: Vibrating Pro Brush, String Longlash Mascara, Water Cushion Conceale, Brush Pact, and Cushion Highlighter
 From left to right: Eyeshadow quad and Blush
 Japanese Beauty and Asia Exclusives 
 These are what I consider Asia exclusives because I can't find these in the United States (well, they're a different version). From left to right: Maybelline White Superfresh UV Whitening Long-Lasting Two Way Cake and Super BB Super Cover Cream 
 Kiss Me Heroine Liquid Liner and Tube Mascara
L'areal Cushion Glow Blush in Pink Fantasia and Sunkissed Coral
 Japanese Sunscreen
When I had a layover at the Hong Kong airport, I popped into the drugstore and picked up these sunscreens! I hear Japanese sunscreens are the best, so I wanted to pick some up to try :) 
From left to right: Biore UV Perfect Spray, Biore UV Perfect Sun Milk, Biore UV Aqua Rich Whitening Sunscreen, and Sunplay 130 SPF Sunscreen
 Alright guys, so that's my Beauty Haul from Singapore :) I hope you guys enjoyed and like I said above, check out the video if you want more info like my thoughts or shade names! Wishing you the best!

xoxo, 
Morgan