7 Skincare Tips from a 21 Year Old

Tips for clear & healthy skin!

 Please note that my skin is far from perfect and all tips shared are based on personal experience. 
~ Skin type is oily & sensitive ~

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1. STAY HYDRATED

I bet you've heard this one a hundred times - from parents, friends, celebrities - but it's so true, drinking lots of water does wonders for the skin. The skin is our largest organ and we're made up of more than 50% water (55% for adult women, 60% for adult men), so staying hydrated is key to healthy and glowing skin. I like to add a few lemon slices in my water, as lemons are known to have many beauty and health benefits. Just to name a few of them from the top of my head: They brighten skin's complexion, get rid of toxins in the body, and speed up the metabolism.

2. WEAR SPF EVERY DAY

"Sunscreen prevents wrinkles!" That's what my mom would always say to me. It wasn't until I got a little older that I realized the harmful effects of too much sun exposure. UV rays ages the skin, which can make your face look dull and uneven. I find it really easy to forget to put on sunscreen because you can't see or feel any immediate results from using the product. I had the hardest time making it into a habit of putting on SPF every day, because firstly I didn't enjoy its consistency and secondly, I wasn't a fan of the smell. But once I found a sunscreen that was suited for my skin type, and one that I enjoyed using, it simply turned into another important step in my skincare routine.

3. PAMPER YOUR SKIN
It's hard to find time in the busy week to really take care of my skin and give it the attention it needs, which is why I like to treat myself to mini pampering sessions on weekends. I would do a deep cleanse and exfoliate, then finish with a hydrating sheet mask. When I'm feeling up to it, I would follow Korean beauty's 10 step skincare guide, I usually stop after the 7th step because I'm run out of products to use by then. I think this is a nice way to de-stress while preparing for me the week ahead.

4. EXFOLIATE
This spins off from my previous tip. The concept of exfoliating sounded foreign to me for the longest time, but my skin has improved significantly since incorporating this essential step into my skincare routine. I use a gentle scrub suited for sensitive skin and focus more on the areas around my nose where my pores the biggest, which leads to more dirt and oil build-up. The exfoliating beads can cause serious irritation for your skin if you are not gentle with it.

5. WASH YOUR FACE TWICE A DAY
Growing up, I was told to wash my face 3 or 4 times a day. I was such a messy eater and got food everywhere on my face that my parents made up this ridiculous rule to wash my face after every meal. They said it was good for my face. And I believed them! I thought if I washed my face enough times, I would have clearer skin. That's a completely false idea. I stick to washing my face once in the morning and again at night only. Washing your face too many times in a day can strip the natural oils from the skin, making it look dull and dry.

6. DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE
Warning: the next bit is going to sound gross. When I was young & clueless (still clueless, and I'd like to think I'm a kid at heart) and whenever felt a pimple forming on my face, I would touch that particular area on my face just so I can fully accept that it was there. I didn't realize how bad it was to touch my face like that, especially when the breakouts were in full force. Germs spread, oils spread, and next thing you know more pimples will be coming your way. I've let go of those slightly obsessive habits and just left my face alone. Breakouts go away much faster that way, as skin cells work their lovely magic.

7. USE SERUM
Ever since I started using serum a few years ago, my skin has improved tremendously both in look and texture. I've always had dull-looking skin that lacked a healthy glow. But after catching onto this trend, my face appears brighter and has a more even skin tone. I've also had fewer breakouts. Because serums contain quality ingredients, they do not come cheap. I say splurge a little and treat yourself, a little goes a long way with these products and they deliver amazing results.

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Those are my tips for ya! I hope you found them to be helpful and if you have any questions about anything related to skincare, ask away in the comments and I'd be happy to answer them!

Korean Beauty Review: SOKOGLAM

High-quality ecommerce shops for Korean beauty products have made a big name for themselves in American pop culture, as they have quickly become one of the hottest trends. From snail creams to gel masks, the Korean beauty industry seems to be way more advanced all the while keeping the products at an affordable cost. I haven't done much shopping for Asian beauty products since my Memebox haul in March, and being that the site reduced its selection of skincare products since then, I decided to try a different shop. 

Sokoglam is a Korean beauty and lifestyle site that offers quality skincare and makeup products - all hand-picked by beauty experts. Read below to see what I purchased from the trusted brand: 

Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil 

Comes in a sleek design, with the twistable pencil on one end and the spoolie on the other. The pencil is easy to use, and the dark brown shade goes on smoothly. It adds definition to my brows, while creating a soft and natural look. 

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream

A lightweight moisturizer that claims to lock in hydration all day long. I was a bit thrown off when I opened the lid and it looked like 1/4 of the formula was missing. It could've simply been a design flaw. A little goes a long way with this lightly scented cream. It has a cooling effect, and makes my skin feel fresh and clean. It also absorbs quickly and gives my skin a dewey look that unfortunately lasts about 5 minutes after applying. The airy consistency is similar to Etude House's Collagen Sleeping Pack. The Super Aqua Cream has a long list of ingredients, as the formula contains 30 different extracts for deep hydrating purposes. I recommend using this cream at night for deep hydration.

Klairs Supple Preparation Toner

Formulated for those who have extremely sensitive skin. The product claims to reduce irritation and provide hydration. This may be strange to point out, but I'm so used to seeing the gunk left on the cotton pads from my previous toner that this one doesn't seem to collect as much dirt and oil after each use. Not sure if it works differently or that it's just not as effective. Though it contains fragrance, the toner doesn't have a smell upon use. Even though it's a simple and gentle product, it's nothing impressive compared to other toners that I've used. I especially enjoyed the Holika Holika toner from awhile back.

Review: 3 things from TBS

Aloe Gentle Exfoliator

With the help of this product, I'm hoping it would get me into the habit of exfoliating daily to remove my stubborn blackheads. It's gentle and non-irritating. Though it's fragrance-free, it has a salicylic acid smell to me. It's faint, so it doesn't bother me. It cleared away the blackheads on my nose after the first use, but the stubborn ones managed to come back days later. I will definitely be holding onto this one to see if it makes any long-term differences for my skin. The exfoliator is no longer available on The Body Shop's website, but you can find their Aloe Gentle facial wash here.

 Color Crush Eyeshadow

This is a classic nude color in the shade Champagne & Gold. It's versatile, as it can be used as a base or on its own. It blends easily and is never cakey. I like to dab some on my inner eye corners for a brightening look. The shade has a bit of shimmer, but it's very subtle and doesn't get all over my face. The only downside is that it comes in a small size (it's about the same size as the Nivea lip butter), so price may not seem reasonable. 

Hand Cream 

Whenever I use this mango hand cream, it makes me think of a fruit stand in the summer time. It has a light citrus scent that lingers for a while after application. The gel-like cream absorbs easily, and the non-greasy formula leaves my skin feeing very soft. The twist cap can sometimes be too much to bother with, but the packaging looks nice and elegant!

Look out for a monthly favs (and not-so-favs) video from me where I will be mentioning some of these things!

Review: Best of Memebox Set

I guess we can call March the month of Memebox, because this marks the third time I will be talking about products purchased from their online Korean Cosmetics and Skincare store. Ever since I discovered the trendy Korean beauty company a few months ago, I've been wanting to try a box from their wide selection of affordable beauty box sets. From special USA boxes, such as The Hangover Box to exclusive mystery boxes, like the Easter Mystery Box, I was really intrigued by it all. Being that the boxes are limited and they tend to sell out fast, I was excited that I was able to get my hands on the "Best of Memebox Set". In it contains five products that had rave customer reviews, and some were winners of the 2014's Memebox Beauty Awards. As a first-timer, I'm very happy with the products. Their range of beauty boxes are unique and affordable, and they are great for those who are new to the Korean beauty trend. 

1  MISSHA Pure Source Sheet Mask

I'm a huge fan of Korean brand sheet masks, and this one did not disappoint. I could tell it was extremely hydrating when I teared the packet open, and some of the essence splattered out. I wouldn't say it brightens, as I've only used it once. It's great to use in the warmer seasons, because it instantly cools and refreshes the skin. 

2  IT'S SKIN Babyface Gel Pencil Eyeliner

Though the product says it's "gel", it seemed more like a regular pencil eyeliner to me. The eyeliner came in Champagne Pink, which is a lovely pale color with sparkles. I use it on the inner corners of my eyes for a bright-eyed look. It's long-lasting, which makes the white flecks hard to wash off. The sparkles don't like to stay in one place, but a little eyeshadow primer should do the trick. 

3  TONYMOLY Bunny Gloss Bar 

The site claims this to be a lipgloss/lipstick, but the lack of shine and color of the product reminds me of a lip balm. It glides on smooth, and has a soft peach-colored tint. It acts as a good base for layering on other lip products. On the first few applications, the product left behind bits of colored residue/flakes on my lips. It's not a super hydrating formula, and I discovered that it contains parabens. 

4  IT'S SKIN Babyface One-Step Base

This is a 3-in-1 primer, with SPF 15. Mine was in Lavender Pink, which claims to be best for people with yellow undertones and helps to brighten dull complexion. A little goes a long way for this product, as the formula is on the liquidy side. It's easy to squeeze out more than you need because it's very runny. The formula has a sweet scent, and is in the shade of a light lavender color. It becomes white when blending it onto the skin. Be careful not to use too much, or it might leave a white cast on your face. It's very gentle, and helps even out my skin tone. 

5  Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer Goddess Cream

This is actually my second jar. The first time I got it was when I first discovered Memebox, and bought it as an individual product to try. I was running low on the first jar, and didn't mind getting it again because it was more affordable to get it as part of the box set. As I mentioned in another Memebox review, I like to use this at night, as it delivers incredible hydration and soothes my skin. It has a clean scent, and the airy consistency absorbs easily into the skin. It's an all around great product!

Have you stepped into the Korean beauty trend? 

Review: Holika Holika Aqua Fantasy Toner

Holika Holika Aqua Fantasy Toner

Toners are one of my favorite things at the moment. It's funny that half a year ago, I didn't know much about them aside from the fact that they followed the cleanse-moisturize-routine. Ever since I read about the benefits of using a toner, I've incorporated it into my daily skincare routine. Now it's an essential part of my skincare regime. This brings me to talk about the Aqua Fantasy Toner I purchased recently. When I first opened the box, I took a good five minutes marveling at the sleek bottle, because it's unlike anything I'v gotten before. Leave it to the Korean beauty market to come up with such a fresh, yet edgy design. I thought it looked nice on the website, but it looked even better in person. Okay, enough of me rambling about the beautiful bottle, and onto the review.

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What it claims: 
The paraben-free formula delivers deep hydration to the skin layers to relieve and refresh stressed and tired skin.

First impression: 
I was in awe when I saw this beautiful glass bottle. The packaging is unlike anything I've ever gotten before. It has a twist cap, and because the toner has a gel-like consistency, it requires a few shakes to dispense the product onto a cotton pad. It has a light and refreshing scent, and is very gentle on my skin.

Final thoughts: 
I absolutely love this toner! Over the few weeks I've been using it, I noticed that it has improved my complexion. I may just be imagining things, and could still be in awe with how pretty the bottle is, but I feel that the toner leaves my skin super soft and smooth, and complexion clear and bright.

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I shall end this post with some of the wonderful things about using a toner:

1) It minimizes the look of pores
2) It removes toxins, and provides extra cleansing.
3) It balances the skin's pH level, which is helpful for oily and/or acne-prone skin types.

What's your current skincare favorite?

A little update + Memebox

Hello! Happy 1st of March! I will say it again and again, how is time flying by so fast?! I'm drowning in my studies, as week 9 of the school's quarter system is just around the corner. Final class assignments and papers are all I can think about right now. And preparing for next quarter has got me all nervous, because it means i'm this close to graduating in Spring. Oh my goodness, don't even get me started on my plans after graduation. It's very overwhelming and makes me want to crawl into a Alice's rabbit's hole. As i've clearly been absent on the blogging front, I wanted to do this quick update and say, (or maybe just remind myself), that i am well and (barely) surviving these few weeks i have left before spring break. I probably won't be posting much until then. But i leave you with another beauty-related review!

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If you love the Korean beauty trend, then you'll be very excited to hear about Memebox (pronounced me-me-box), a company known for selling exclusive boxes filled with the hottest Korean beauty products. Aside from their special boxes, they also have a USA shop where you can purchase individual products. I opted for this feature, as I was looking to stock up on a few skincare products. Being the indecisive person that I am, it took forever to pick out the products (when i only needed three things), because there were so many to choose from. Everything looked high-quality and it was hard to resist all the cute packaging.
Shipping was very fast, as it came two days after my order was processed. I'm completely obsessed with the site now, and it will be the first thing I hit up when looking for Asian-brand beauty products.

INSIDE MY MEMBOX:

Tony Moly Sheet Mask

Being that this is a very popular Korean brand, I was disappointed to find how poor of a quality the sheet mask was. It teared when i was unfolding it and ripped some more on the side when I was smoothing it onto my face. Though the scent was nice, I probably won't be getting it again.

Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer Goddess Cream
I mostly use this at night before i go to sleep. It absorbs easily and has a cooling effect, which suits my oily skin type. It's extremely lightweight, and the airy consistency is very similar to the one from Etude House (link here).

Missha Near Skin Cleansing Cream
This cleaning cream doesn't work up to a lather, as it completely absorbs into my skin when I message it onto my face. The scent-free cream has tiny yellow beads, and according to the product details, they contain vitamin E, which help get rid of impurities. I've never used anything like it before, but i like that it's gentle and makes my skin super soft. I've also noticed that I've been breaking out less since using it. I highly recommend it for those with sensitive skin! 

Review: Etude House toner & night cream

This has probably been the longest I've been away from the blogging scene since I first started this space for my thoughts and all things random. I have no excuses, except to say that balancing school with work, and trying to squeeze in a bit of a social life has basically taken up a good chunk of my time. In case you missed my previous post, which was back in early October, you can read all about it here - it's a little catch-up post consisting of the bits and pieces of my time being back in school during the first week. 

Now that we're halfway through November, you have no idea how excited I am for the holiday season! I'm already in the Christmas spirit even though we haven't started with all the Thanksgiving festivities. You might think it's a little early to get out the Christmas lights and such, but personally, it is never too early. (I've already put up fairy lights in my apartment). The holiday season almost always goes by in a blink of an eye. So, why not start early?!

Anyhoo, I've gone completely off topic and let me just dive right into the review here:

Wonder Pore Freshner 

For the price, this all-in-one toner comes in a very generous size. It has a refreshing and light scent, which makes the skin feel incredibly clean after each use. It's gentle, absorbs easily, and does not irritate my skin. It claims to minimize the look of pores, control oil, and firm the skin. From all the positive reviews I read online, a few users noticed differences in as little as a week. Unfortunately, this was not the case for me. I've been using it every night for over a month and has not seen any improvements to my skin. 

Moistful Collagen Sleeping Pack

I picked out this night cream, because I ran out of the Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizer. The cream is incredibly lightweight and almost has an airy feel to it. Like the Wonder Pore toner, it has a light scent and leaves my skin feeling refreshed. It's very gentle as well as hydrating for my skin. I've been using it as part of my nightly routine along with the toner and have noticed that I wake up with with a slightly brighter complexion than I used to.

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I think the the toner and night cream are great purchases for those who want to try Etude House's face products for the first time. Whenever I try new face products, I always have high hopes of them working its magical properties and seeing wondrous results. Clearly, that's not the case. But I will continue using them since it does keep my skin fresh and clean, and because I feel it would be a waste not to. I will keep you updated if I notice any major differences! :)

Have you tried any of Etude House's products? What did you think of them? 

Empties & almost empties review

Hi there! I'm typing this post up as I just got out of a nice and long shower after doing one of Blogilates workouts on Youtube. Tried the 5-minute ab workout for the first time and boy, was it intense!

Anyhoo, after I used up my bottle of Aveeno shave gel the other day, I thought I would do a quick review of it along with a few other products that are close to emptying out. I was thinking of saving the empties and do a collective review on all of them later, but I hoard enough things as it is that I think it's going to be hard to keep track of everything. So here are my thoughts on the things I've used up (and almost using up): 

Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel

First impression: Very gentle on the skin and has a light scent. It works into a creamy lather and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. 

Product details: Helps you to shave less often and helps prevent nicks, cuts, and razor burns. It's gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. 

Final thoughts: While it didn't irritate or dry out my skin, I still managed to get a few razor burns from time to time. After multiple uses, I noticed that I didn't have to shave my legs as often as I used to. The hair on my legs seemed to have grown back slower and lighter. Though the same cannot be said about the armpit situation. 

Mini Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel

First impression: A basic, travel size shower gel that has a refreshingly crisp and clean grapefruit scent. 

Product details: Soap-free, lather-rich, refreshing grapefruit scent 

Final thoughts: This tiny bottle is not worth the retailing price ($4). While I enjoyed the scent, the shower gel didn't stand out to me.

Nuance Airy Ultra Honey Hair Mask, Japan

First impression: It made my hair feel light and soft. It has a flower scent that's not overwhelming at all. 

Product details: Formulated with honey and milk protein that strengthens and protects severely damaged hair. Leaves hair soft, elastic, and easy to manage. Gives limp and flat hair a light and bouncy feel.

Final thoughts: A quick hair profile ~~ I have naturally wavy thick hair with no split ends. ~~

With all the sun and heat damage my hair has gone through, I feel that this mask has really helped with keeping the ends of my hair hydrated and protected as they aren't as dull-looking as they used to be. Overall, it's a good moisturizing hair mask that leaves hair feeling extremely light and smooth.

I hope you have a warm and wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

The Body Shop Review | A hit...and a miss

If you've been reading my review posts lately, you've probably noticed that a majority of the stuff are from The Body Shop. Maybe it's because I'm still a newbie when it comes to beauty things, but I always find myself going back to The Body Shop to look for products to try. I think it's their endless sales and promotions that keep reeling me in. Here are two of their "best-seller" products, Nutriganics Drops of Youth and Vitamin C Skin Boost that I'm going to review. One's a hit and one's a miss. 

Nutriganics Drops of Youth

It didn't take me 'till now to realize that Nutriganics Drops of Youth is actually an anti-aging serum that targets the first signs of aging. I think this just goes to show how clueless I am when it comes to beauty-related things, ah bare with me please haha. I do love to experiment and play around with new products however! 

I was very impressed by this serum when I first used it that I bought another one after finishing the first (note: this item no longer ships to California, can be purchased in stores only). It does exactly what it claims as it enhances surface skin condition, smoothes, and instantly moisturizes. For such a small bottle with a pretty big price tag, I mostly use it at night time after washing my face and it leaves my skin super soft, dewy, and fresh looking. On occasion, I would use it during the day to give my skin a fresher and healthier look. The serum has a light scent and unlike FAB's liquid serum (review here), it has a slightly thicker and goo-y consistency, making it easy to apply and massage onto my face. In terms of its anti-aging claims, I haven't noticed any major differences, but it has made my face look a lot brighter and smoother than it used to. 

This serum is an essential part of my daily skincare routine. It's gentle and non-drying while leaving my skin looking smooth and fresh. I would highly recommend this serum to those of you who have a dull/rough complexion. 

(P.S. You can usually get the product at a cheaper price than it originally retails with the sales & promotions that they always have going on!)

Vitamin C Skin Boost

Now onto the one that was a miss...

I was really excited to try this because I was looking for something to help brighten my skin tone. After the first use however, my thought was that this small bottle was not worth the price. It claims to create instant smoothing radiance with a silky smooth finish and enhance your glow. But in actuality, this product did not work for me at all. Since it's slightly oily, I would use it in the mornings before I put on my moisturizer. It dispenses a tiny amount in one pump and it's more than enough to smooth over my entire face. Although it was an easy application as the formula glided on my skin and had a nice citrus scent, it really didn't do any more than that. The "glow" that it supposedly gives is from the light-reflecting specks in the formula, but I honestly did not see any brightening effects.

In short, the Vitamin C Skin Boost left my skin smooth and soft, but only temporary. At $27 a bottle, I would not be buying this again because I didn't see any long-term results. I think this would make a good base for makeup, but that's not really what I was looking for. 

I hope you found this review helpful and thank you for reading :) 

Review: Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

This was the first toner I've ever purchased and it has left a lovely first impression on me. Before I got  the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner from The Body Shop, I did some research and many users raved about how it wasn't over-drying and prevented breakouts. 

I've been using the toner for over 6 months now and noticed a couple of differences. First, it didn't sting or dry out my skin at all. After using it for so long, I expected my skin to get a little dry, but nope, there's absolutely no signs of it drying out my skin. It actually left my skin very fresh looking and smooth. Second, it mattified my skin like it claimed on the bottle. Since I have oily skin and am always looking for products to control my shiny t-zone area, I found this to be very helpful. In terms of breakouts, it didn't entirely stop me from breaking out every now and then, but I did notice that the pimples that I would get went away rather fast. They didn't linger like they used to and I was extremely happy about that. As for the scent, it was a little strange, but it wasn't overbearing so I didn't mind it. 

Personally, this was a very good first toner for me to start out with. It was extremely gentle and my skin reacted pretty well to it. After I finish this bottle, I think I'm going to try out a different toner just so I can have something to compare it with. Hmm, I've been especially keeping an eye out for toners that help reduce redness and minimize pores. I'll definitely keep you posted! 

[Empties]: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery

This is the first beauty product that I've emptied in a very long time. I have this thing where it takes me forever to finish anything that is skincare and beauty related. I have tons of half used lotions, chapsticks, and makeup products sitting around the house - forgotten and probably way past its expiration date. I'm not the only one who's like that, right?

So it was somewhat of a surprise when I noticed that I was nearly done with this whole bottle of First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Liquid serum. Since I have sensitive skin that gets inflamed super easily,  I picked up this particular product, which claims to "hydrate, reduce redness, and repair stressed skin."

Personally, I was disappointed to find that the product did not make much of a difference to my skin. It was indeed light and hydrating, but other than that, nothing else stood out. Firstly, it had a very funky smell. Scent is everything to me when it comes to skincare products so I was thrown off by the unpleasant smell. Second, because the serum is liquid based, I did not like that it was designed in a way where I had to squeeze the tip to get the formula onto my palms. Often times, the liquid would drip right through my fingers before I could even pat it onto my skin, resulting in a bit of a waste. 

Like most skincare products out there, the serum did a good job providing temporary results. My skin appeared the smoothest and hydrated when I used it right after showering and washing my face. But that could just be the result from my other skincare products that I'm using.

Overall, I was not impressed and considering the price, it could've been better. But then again, it might work for someone with a different skin type.

What's in my bathroom

From left to right:

Cranberry Mandarin candle

Smells soo good and I like that it gives my bathroom a pop of color!

Dove body wash in Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena

Refreshing and light scent and is gentle enough for those who have sensitive skin

Johnson's body lotion in Shea and Coco butter

I mostly use this for when I get out of the shower and it keeps my skin soft and it smells so good!

Biore pore strips

Does not get rid of blackheads, but I still use this occasionally to clear my pores.

Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer with SPF 15

An okay product- even though it says it's for combination/oily skin, I usually find my skin getting oily later in the day. Planning on changing my daily moisturizer after finishing this one. 

Organix Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner in Coconut Milk

This stuff smells amazing (and it's sulfate-free) though it doesn't make my hair as soft as I'd like. 

Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo & Conditioner

Minimizes my frizz and makes my hair smooth and soft. Doesn't do much for the shine though

Bath & Body Works Crimson Plum foam hand soap

Smells like a garden of sweet plums and I'm just gonna just leave it at that. 

Conair blowdryer

My bathroom essentials isn't complete without one.