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Original poster

Obsessed with Asian/Korean stuff - taking your skincare to the next level!

999 replies

FrugalFashionista · 08/05/2015 18:45

Asian and Korean skincare products seem to be a big thing in skincare and beauty right now.

Interested in the following?

  • finding a great sunscreen
  • tailoring a multi-step ritual to your skincare needs
  • talking about geisha beauty rituals
  • learning what snail slime, bee venom and starfish have to do with beauty
  • plumping up your skin with sheet masks and sleeping masks
  • experimenting with essences

Please come here and share your questions, experiences, links and best shopping tips!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
brittanyfairies · 30/05/2015 13:55

Haven't managed to catch up with the last week of posts, but I've been reading this thread and my box arrived today from S. Korea. I've got two face mask, both Tony Moly one Pureness 100 which is Hyaluronic Acid and the other is Red Ginseng. Can't decide which one to use first. Got my snail recovery gel and loads of samples. I'm so excited. I'm also waiting for my Missa starter pack from Germany.

They've sent me a sample of TonyMoly Tomatox magic massage pack - do you think it's for the face?

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 14:15

brittany, yes it's for your face. A review here Smile

I'm just in from town - just a few more bits to get now for my lovely bathroom sanctuary (takes ages when you're on a budget to get it all together!).

I was going to look for some essential oils but wasn't sure where to go...any suggestions that aren't too pricey? Smile

m0gz · 30/05/2015 17:50

essential oils link I picked up some glycerin today and I'm just finalising my amazon basket before ordering :)

I have several hours to kill now as I am mid henna application - perfect opportunity for more research Grin

Original poster
FrugalFashionista · 30/05/2015 18:03

Doing my first ever My Beauty Diary sheet mask today. Going to do a no-buy June, so making one final purchase tonight, either CosRx something or a box of MBD sheet masks. Have a really hard time deciding which one

OP posts:
Original poster
FrugalFashionista · 30/05/2015 18:14

Color Crush - another great Asian beauty blog with a good intro to routines post

OP posts:
lucysmam · 30/05/2015 19:30

Thanks m0gz, will have to put an amazon basket together now Wink

XiCi · 30/05/2015 21:20

So, my sum37 melting cleansing balm arrived today and omfg it is gorgeous. Didn't think anything could surpass the Elemis pro collagen balm but this does and the smell is heavenly. It's at the top end of the Korean market so was a bit pricier but so worth it. I'm hooked already.

Also got a sample of the liole triple the solution bb cream and again have been blown away. I've tried a few Korean bbs now but nothing comes close to this. It covered every pore, blemish and pigmentation mark. Looked like I had perfect skin and gave my skin a glow without looking greasy. It also has spf30 and lasted all day which with my oily skin is a bit of a miracle. I didn't think anything would prise me away from my chanel vitalumiere but I think this has done.

The only think I don't really like is the sleep masks. My skin is oily and quite hydrated and I just don't think these do anything for me. Make my eyes look a bit puffy in the mornings so won't be buying again.

I think I will take a leaf out of frugals book and have a no buy June. Need to step away from ebay now Smile

CornwallsFinest · 30/05/2015 21:26

Firstly Flowers for everyone on here, its been a fascinating read today!

Secondly - I think I may have splurged too much! I've read and re-read everything you have all said so I'm hoping I have got this right. Like you Frugal, I'm blonde and pale (although freckly) and suffer with cystic acne due to hormones. Thought I'd list here what I've purchased in the last hour (been reading since early this morning!):

Innisfree Jeju Bija Anti Trouble Facial Foam
Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel
Mizon Goodnight Sleeping Gel
My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Sheet Mask (Pack 10)

Makeup
Missha Perfect Cover BB in #21
Missha Magic Cushion BB in #21

A couple of questions, I'm not sure if the sheet masks and the apple peeling gel is effectively the same thing? And also, will I need an independent suncream if the BB's contain SPF 42 and 50? Also, is there anything else I may need to add?!

Thanks though - this thread has been an absolute revelation and I am so excited to be getting all this through the post. At least DP is with me on this, he knows how much I suffer physically and emotionally with my god awful skin. I've ordered from eBay, bitandbobsbeauty and Missha.ee.

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 21:30

A no buy June?! Shock I'm still compiling a list here Grin Dp needs a few other bits and bobs in order to do the charity bike ride he's signed up for (210 miles) so as he buys, I'll buy iyswim.

COSRX, a bb cream when I figure out what shade, and the green tea latte face wash are at the top.

I'm off for a mooch around reddit and read of the links you've all been posting through the day now it's finally quiet here.

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 21:32

Cornwall, yes you still need the SPF even if your make-up has it in. Usually you don't put on enough make up to get proper coverage from the spf in it Smile

(not you you iyswimSmile )

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 21:36

You might find the COSRX bha skin returning a-sol toner worth a go as well after cleansing - I've only had 4 days worth of a sample but I had a huge cystic monster brewing on my chin & that's vanished whereas usually they just linger forever.

XiCi · 30/05/2015 21:48

Lucysmam glad you like the cosrx as well. Can't wait for my full size one to arrive, all my samples are used up

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 21:50

Cornwall 50 shades of snail review of the COSRX...I would have been back sooner but got suckered into a thread on chat Grin

XiCi yes, I'm convinced it's worth it! Looking forward to ordering a bottle.

TheWombat · 30/05/2015 21:54

Hi everyone! I've been out of touch this weekend and have come back to see the thread has moved on apace - again! So exciting. I am still waiting for my eBay parcels to arrive, I only ordered on the 18th so it's only been 10 days, but grrr, I am very envious of all of your exciting buys and samples!

XiCi the Lioele BB sounds fab, what sort of shade is it? Am wondering if the BBs will be too grey on my pale-but-yellow toned skin (seems like my current Double Wear BB cream makes me look aaawful and I'm sure it has a pinky grey tinge which does not do much for me!)

Cornwall welcome - your haul sounds amazing! Can't wait to see how you get on with it all. And I think we have quite similar skin - I am pale-but-olive with freckles, hormonal cystic acne around the neck, chin and jawline and dehydrated combination skin with large pores. God I sound delightful, but I've battled with my skin on and off for most of my teen/adult life. I have ordere
Mizon good night white brightening sleeping pack
Laneige water hydrating sleeping pack
My beauty diary pearl and imperial birds nest sheet mask sets,
Scinic propolis ampoule (supposed to be great for healing acne)
and a CosRX fermented essence thingy.

And TWO tubes of Biore sunscreen which I love.

And the lowest retin-A I could find.

That is quite a lot isn't it!I think my main issue will now be not overloading my skin with too many new products. And a no-buy June does sound tempting - but I will struggle because I keep reading about so many exciting things on this thread!

TheWombat · 30/05/2015 21:55

Lucysmam anything that works on monster cysts I need to know about

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 21:57

Back again...I don't think the sheet masks are the same as the apple smoothie gel from a quick mooch round google results for it. The apple stuff sounds like it might have some sort of acid in it that peels the dead skin cells away (footner for the face? Grin will investigate further in the morning).

The sheet masks are hydrating/brightening/firming etc and verrrry relaxing but not peeley unless you wanted one specifically to peel iyswim (I don't even know if a peely one exists).

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 22:01

Wombat, could you link the propolis ampoule please? Smile

m0gz · 30/05/2015 22:03

I'm boycotting no buy June Grin

XiCi that cleansing balm is on my wish list and I'm adding that Bb cream as well :)

CornwallsFinest I would definitely get some SPF to go under the Bb cream. I am still loving the coppertone face SPF. I can really sympathise with the physical and emotional effects of having bad skin :( I have been utterly miserable for years with mine but today I stepped out without any bb cream etc and just a bit of lippy and I felt OK :) I know some people will think investing so much time and money in 'skincare' is just vanity but this is the first time since my teens that I have been able to see 'me' and not just some awful looking woman in the mirror.

EthelCardew · 30/05/2015 22:05

Has anyone tried the Indeed hydraluron moisture boosting masks available in Boots?

XiCi · 30/05/2015 22:09

thewombat I too have quite pale but yellow toned skin and the liole shade was perfect. It only comes in one shade so it might be worth trying to get hold of a sample if you're unsure. Definitely wasn't pink or grey toned, gave a lovely glow to my skin

CornwallsFinest · 30/05/2015 22:15

Thanks Lucy! Will slot in the Cosrx toner too.. Grin

OK, seeing as the Biore one is quite a hit on here, I'll pick up some of that too.

Wombat, thanks for the welcome and also Flowers for your current battle. Yes, the acne is all jawline, neck and lower part of face, skin isn't too bad from cheeks up but I have very open pores one each side of my nose.

I can't wait to get stuck in though! I'm very excited about using the BB cream. I only ever really use a concealer stick then mousse foundation and lately I'm looking too heavily made up and patchy. But I'm nearly on the other side of a large breakout and find myself putting on too much when covering up spots.

TheWombat · 30/05/2015 22:18

Lucysmam lots of reddit love for scinic propolis ampoule here (also great mini reviews of other honey / propolis / royal jelly products)

And I bought from ebay via this seller but it hasn't arrived yet (only ordered about 9 days ago, but it was shipped the same day).

lucysmam · 30/05/2015 22:24

Thanks Wombat, will have a read and browse.

CornwallsFinest · 30/05/2015 22:24

With you there m0gz. My severe skin started in my early 20's, I don't want to spend all my 30's as well scrutinising my face every morning in case I notice a fresh spot forming.

TheWombat · 30/05/2015 22:24

Ha, I will look forward to M0gz's spendy June Grin.
Thank you for the BB uodate XiCi, I will definitely get hold of a sample! It's already on my 'no no-spend June' watch list!

to everyone, long may the snails bestow on us their slidey goodness.