Prep your makeup look with ZALORA x Stila for Valentine's Day! ^^

In Korea, after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the next most important annual event for a couple. Nope, they don't really do the whole westernised gift exchange thingy we do in Singapore. But like the Japanese, the Korean females will give chocolate to their desired male counterparts to "confess" (?) their feelings and on March 14, White Day, that's when the ladies know if their feelings are reciprocated. (Check out my other post last year on White Day in Japan and Korea!)

Okay, so anyway, it's really a big deal to look pretty on V-day in Korea. You'd see gals looking extra pretty, complete with super rosy cheeks and "just bitten" gradient lips with flawless complexion decked out in pretty outfits EVERYWHERE. ^^ Actually, Korean ladies look impeccable every day. It's part of the culture to look good! 

Last Christmas, I was browsing in Sephora looking for last minute gifts and spotted this lovely hippie set by Stila makeup. Been wondering if I should get it but it was a little pricey. Yeah, there're 8 mini lippies in it but oh my, they're now available on ZALORA!!!!! (my online go-to store for everything to do with clothing and makeup!) 

ANDDDD. To top it off, it's only 2/3 of the original price!!!! 

 OMG. MUST BUY. At 39$, for 8 colors,
this is a steal! 

The other items to complete the perfect romantic girly look:

1) Sunblock is another MUST-HAVE in Sunny Singapore to protect your skin from harmful rays that ages skin rapidly. Today, a neighbor thought I'm 12 years younger than my actual age, and commented that I'm really fair. ^^ (Okay, being fair may not be everyone's cup of tea, but in kimchiland, fair = beauty. So, to each his or her own. ^^) I really think it's the sunblock-ing habit that started in Korea that saved my skin. I only regret not starting earlier.

Creates a super sheer, natural finish,
perfect for the 쌩얼 (bare faced) look.

2) Primer is an optional step. (It makes the overall complexion look more even) But Stila's One Step Correct is highly raved about and it's really amazing how it really corrects and evens skin tone while moisturising at the same time! ^^

One of the best-sellers.
I love the texture of this!

3) Eyeliner is a MUST in Korean makeup. Seriously, even middle school girls put on eyeliner to school, apart from foundation. Unfortunately for tinyceci, she's one of the rare breeds who can't seem to carry off eyeliner looks without looking too, quote, "bitchy" and "cold". Or maybe, she just needs to improve her drawing skills. LOL.

Eyeliner to do the Korean-y cat eye flick.

4) Eye Shadow with some pearl sparkle really brings attention to the eyes and lights up the whole face. I think this is great for Singaporean daily wear as well since the trend here is to keep everyone pretty much simple and subtle, lest people ask, "You going wedding? Why so wayang?"

Romantic pink with metallic finish
will make your eyes extra sparkling!

5) Lipglaze from Stila is seriously the best. While I'm not a fan of the twist mechanics, too much product tend to leak out, >< but the colors are so wearable and buildable, you can create so many different lip looks!

Love this set so much!

Have fun experimenting the perfect makeup look to charm your love! ^^

Valentine’s Day in Korea and Japan

Did you know that in Korea and Japan, Valentine’s Day is a time where the GUYS take a backseat and the LADIES take the initiative to “confess” their love to the guys by offering them “honmei” chocolate?

That sure sounds strange right? My friends from western countries were flabbergasted when they heard about this somewhat strange tradition in East Asia. I too, shared their surprise at first but gradually got used to such sights in my school. LOL.

Not to worry ladies, the guys are supposed to actually return the favor THREE TIMES a month later on 화이트데이 (White Day), or at least give candy to the girl they like. ^^ So, yeah. It’s a pretty good system of acceptance and rejection in my opinion. And who doesn't like more candy/chocolates? ^_^ Godiva and Royce chocolates을 주시면 정말 감사하겠습니다~ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

By the way, the rejected have to eat 자짱면 (Jajjangmyeon) on BLACK DAY (that's a month after White Day, 14th April. Kinda morbid and sad in a way.  ㅠㅠ

Back to Valentine’s Day, in Korea, girls reaaaally take a conscious effort to look pretty 247, like all the time literally. You can get away wearing all kinds of pretty frocks with elaborate accessories and complete makeup without anyone raising an eyebrow. And they do go the extra mile to look extra pretty on special occasions like Christmas and V-day, the 2 critical time periods where new couples are formed.

6 years ago, I recall college friends shyly coming up to me and asking, “Excuse me, but why do you always dress so nice for class?” In Korea, looking good is a social etiquette. I really do think this should be the case everywhere else! Why dress in scrubs when you can be decked out in beautiful clothes which makes you feel better about yourself? ^^

Incidentally, while I was browsing online for clothes to wear on V-day, I saw some nice stuffs on Zalora!~ ^^ 

I really love shopping at ZALORA!

For those of you who are running out of ideas (and time/money) for that special gift to the Significant Other, maybe you could check this out! Spotted lotsa nice stuff under $50! ^^

Here's the link for the ZALORA V-day lookbook page!

They do have some lovely items for ladies and gents which are really inexpensive but look classy! ^^ Let's be pretty for V-day okays?~ ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 여러분~~ 이쁘게 다녀야해요~ ㅋㅋㅋ