Christmas shopping @TFS

So a couple of days ago, T's sister handed me this brochure for THEFACESHOP's Christmas sale.

 

I'm not usually impressed (to say the least) by the pricing of Korean skincare/cosmetic products in Sunny Singapore because it's all-so-overpriced compared to the prices I was used to shopping ONLINE in the Korean websites (yes it's way cheaper than the prices in physical stores and they deliver all of it with generous freebies to your doorstep), but this time around, something caught my eye.

Really cute hand cream sets! No, really...

The SMIM concentrate!!!!! 더스밈 (It's like a skin conditioner like Albion / SKII that essentially preps the skin to be more receptive to the usual skincare steps)

SMIM comes from the Korean term 스며들다, which means to be quickly absorbed. And that's what this whole series does! I really swear by this series' density version for the concentrate, toner and emulsion for day use. It's like a milder version of SKII (and more friendly on the pocket) and it works without irritating my sensitive skin.

It comes in the 150ml bottle with two 50ml bottles of the toner and emulsion too at 69.90sgd.

Well. In kimchi land, if you buy just the concentrate ONLINE now, you get the big sized ones over 200ml at 20,500krw, that's like under 25sgd, the usual price being over 45,000krw. (50sgd+++?)

Anyway, I think 70sgd for the entire thing is pretty okay since it's literally at par with the prices in the Korean retail stores.

So, got them 3 sets and some freebies ^^

I <3 samples for traveling! Don't you all?

The poster is dec of the dozen featuring KIM SOO HYUN ssi 김수현씨. (Yes the smarty pants from 별에서 온 그대. So if anyone wants it... ^^

10 Steps to Counter Sensitive Skin Prone to Redness & Blemishes

For the record, currently I have dry, sensitive skin prone to redness. I used to have flawless healthy supple skin that didn't require any makeup up to the age of 20.

I was first introduced to the world of skincare & makeup when I first arrived in Seoul 6 years ago in late 2006. My fellow exchange school mate & room mate was this tall, model-esque Singaporean Chinese girl who was always looking perfectly radiant and stunning both in terms of her makeup and fashion sense. I brought some light moisturizer with me to Seoul, however that was less than enough to save my skin from the merciless summer sun and before recovering from the heat, my skin started to peel in the drier fall/winter weather. Needless to say, I turned to her for skincare advice when my skin started to peel.

I literally bought the exact same skincare products she used. They worked for me, so I thought, they should work for me too, right? SO WRONG!

I experimented with Lancome's blanc series, Estee Lauder's brown bottle series, Clarins and so on. They were great products, sadly they were somehow too rich for me. Then later on, I started to experiment with BB cream (I'll talk about BB creams and makeup in another post). They seemed to all work well on the first few days of trying out the products, my skin eventually broke out quite badly, requiring laser and chemical treatment together with medicine from the dermatologist. My derm told me I had used too many types of products and masks, thus causing an allergic reaction to chemicals. But eventually, after learning so much more about skincare and makeup during my stay in THEFACESHOP headquarters in Seoul, I learned that good skincare need not be expensive. In fact, many cheap skincare products use similar, if not the same formula as their 'high class' more branded counterparts. 

Through careful experimentation of a single product at a time, I finally managed to stabilize my acne and am now working out fading out scars left by acne and evening out freckled skin tone. 

My current daily skincare routine consists of (Credits of product images to their official product sites): 

Step 1: Cleansing [Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash from Origins] & Exfoliating I do this only 1x a week [White Peeling Gel from IASO]

Step 3: Prep skin [Intensive Clear Conditioner from IASO]

Step 4: Toning skin [the Smim Skin Density 101.1 Toner from THEFACESHOP]

Step 5: Blemish/dark spot correcting Essence [Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution from Kiehl's] 

Step 6 : Moisturizing/repairing serum [the Smim Skin Density 101.1 Repair Serum from THEFACESHOP]

Step 7: Drying out blemishes [Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel from Origins] Only when I get pimples

Step 8: Tightening pores [Pore Tightening Silky Serum from IASO]

Step 9: Moisturizing undereyes [Wrinkle Stop Abyssine Eye Cream from THEFACESHOP for Day, Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado from Kiehl's for Night] Note: I used Abyssine Eye Cream from Kiehl's before switching to THEFACESHOP's because the latter was so much cheaper and works well. I also apply the eyecream in light dots with my ring finger onto the frown lines around my mouth and neck. The lines have faded really well and they do take years off your look. :)

Step 10: Moisturizing skin [the Smim Skin Density 101.1 Emulsion from THEFACESHOP]

Step 11: Sunblock [Natural Sun AQ Oil-cut Sun Cream SPF40 from THEFACESHOP on Face, Natural Sun AQ Cooling Sun Gel on Body]

Seems like a lot, huh? ^^;;

Also, masks are a great pampering treat but limit it to once a week. If you have an important business meeting or a hot date coming up, put on a mask the night before your skincare routine and you should wake up with glowing translucent skin. Choose the moisturizing/regenerating types to be on the safe side. I personally love the Sexydoll masks from SexyLook and also the Sseal Rejuvenating Escargot masks from THEFACESHOP! ^^