Guess who is finally trying to get some blog work done? I am currently on vacation but I thought this would be the perfect timing to work around a few posts. With that in mind, I'll be sharing a few things I've got during the last couple of months. A few of these ( specially what concerns skin care) are replacements of things that had previously run out or thought it was time to switch. I also had to grab sun protection since the summer time kicked with full force (and still I wasn't able of saving myself from getting a sunburn on my shoulders....)

As for the make up, the only really expandable thing here are the lip stains (aka matte liquid lipsticks) because I was really in need of the rest. Except the highlighters but those were a gift to myself for surviving my degree without getting insane. (hurray!) 

I believe everyone already knows about my love for Korean Cosmetics. They almost everything in their favour - amazing formulas, affordable price, cute packaging and some of the most innovative ideas. Like for example the BB Cushions that we all nowadays see being launched by various brands - from Lancôme, L'oréal, The Body Shop, before them, it were the Korean Beauty brands who designed it and launched it.

But their lip products are also one of the best options in the markets. Their Lip tints are some of the best we can find all the types and finishes you can imagine. The Etude House Color Lips-Fit are some of my favourites due to their pigmentation and finish. If you are looking for a Liquid Lipstick that is matte but isn't too uncomfortable and can be used for a gradient lip, this is for you.

Ever since I got into make up I have been a palette type of girl. Mostly because I like the convenience of having a good selection of shades at easy reach without any fuzz. But with time, it happens that some times brands launch really amazing shades not inside palettes, but as single eyeshadows. Depending on the package this can become a bit of an issue - way too many eyeshadows flying around, things get messy, accidents happen.
Because of this solutions started to happen - why not create a magnetic palette that can carry eyeshadow pan and give the opportunity of building our own eyeshadow? And this is how Z-Palette and many other brands started to appear. Than MAC also provided their "build-your-own-palette" system and so many more brands. It's pretty much a staple to many brands - if they happen to launch a single eyeshadow collection, they need to launch the option of building a palette. Even Urban Decay has it - although their system is a bit different and something that I sadly tend to forget.
But even with my love for palettes, I found myself getting a few single eyeshadows. The question starts here, should I or should I not depot all of them, just like I did with my H&M eyeshadows and my Benefit Blush/Bronzer and Eyeshadow?

Once upon a time, I wrote a post called 10 Korean Beauty products to try. In that post I showcased 10 different beauty products and explained why I liked them and why you should try them. And now I am back with another 10 products I believe you guys need to try out. It is true that most of them are from the same brand, but I swear it wasn't planned in that way. I'll probably do another post in the future with more items from more different brands.  So without any further due, here another 10 Korean Beauty products I believe are worth your attention :

The Saem Cover Perfection Lip Concelaer

With the Lip gradient craze, everyone tried to archive said look. But sometimes it's quite difficult - either our lips are already pigmented or the tint shade we are using is really pale. To work out on these said issues there is a solution - a lip concealer. Many youtubers usually use regular concealer but Korean actually have an appropriate product for that - which isn't as drying and uncomfortable. The Saem's Lip Concealer is a good choice since it is contained in a tube form and it is super easy to blend and easy to work out on your lips. It is also a really nice product to have in your kit if you happen to be a Makeup Artist.

Etude House Dear Darling Tint 

If you enjoy K-Pop or Korean Fashion in general you already realised that most of the times Koreans tend to prefer tints over Lipsticks. Tints are really amazing for everyday looks since they aren't that much of a statement and usually give a more youthful look. After becoming disappointed with Benefit's tint I decided that it would be a nice idea to try out the "real thing" and get myself a Korean liptint. When Etude House celebrated their 10 Year Anniversary they launched a specially collection of their tints with a Pink Cap and I thought it would be the perfect time to get one. I have to say that I am impressed. The tint is very pigmented and easy to apply and work. You can either do gradient looks or even apply it like a regular liquid lipstick. And above everything else it isn't too drying. Something that truly deserver attention.

Mizon Ultra Suboon Cream

What can I say about this moisturiser? I already wrote a review in the past declaring my endless love to this moisturiser. I mean, it has one of my favourite ingredients - Hyaluronic Acid - and it is super affordable. My skin always looks amazing when I apply this moisturiser and my makeu p tends to look a lot better whenever I do it. If you are looking for a good moisturiser but you don't want to crack your budget, try to get this one.
 

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence
Korea is known for developing skin care without any issues. One of the items they have developed - and are starting to be replicated on Western Skin Care - is Essence. And Essence is something you tend to apply either with a cotton pad or with your clean hands and it is meant to be used between the toner and the serum. An Essence is something like a water full of vitamins that will boost up you serum and moisturiser. I went for Secret Key's because it is similar to the popular Missha The First Treatment Essence and to the SK-II Esssence - but costing a fraction of both, specially when compared to the second. My skin has been looking more healthier whenever I apply this - pore getting unclogged, no major breakouts and scaring is healing without any major problem.

 

Etude House Lash Perm Shockcara Mascara
I got this lovely mascara from Shayne last year when we did our second swap and I can't believe I haven't spoken about here. Although this says it makes our lashes more shocking and all, in fact it gives a gorgeous natural but composed look to the lashes. I really like the wand, specially to apply it on my bottom lashes. And the formula is really, really good.  I tend to have issues with some mascara formulas - normally I can only wear wither Benefit or Korean. I once used a Maybelline mascara and my eyes couldn't stop crying and all I wanted to do was scratching. I really want to try out their newest mascara, but this one will always have a soft spot in my heart.
 

Etude House Look at My Eyes Eyeshadow
I got two of these to see what was the fuzz surrounding the Etude House single eyeshadows. I wasn't expecting to be blown away like I was. The matte shade is my go to blending crease shade. It doesn't matter what look I am using, what eyeshadow I am using - I'll use it. It isn't powdery at all. Actually, it performs better than the matte eyeshadows I have from brands like Urban Decays ( yes, I said it!). The pressed Glitter shadow is so, but so good. You can obviously use it dry but I love to wet a synthetic brush with make up fixer or a mist and apply it on my lids and let me tell - once placed, it won't move, fade or have any type of fallout. I'm seriously considering getting more shades from this range.
 

Innisfree Mineral Single Eyeshadow
After the good experience I had with the Etude House eyeshadows, I decided to try out the Innisfree shadows. Pretty much like the Etude House shadows, these have a gorgeous texture, pigmentation and performance. They are easy to blend, they don't crease and the glitter shadow performs as beautifully on my lids, without any major fallout. The colour range is also gorgeous, with seasonal shadows being launched every year.

 

 

Etude House Moisture BB Cushion
Forgive me for showing up a limited edition case but it was the one I got when I bought this cushion so I couldn't just take it out of the case. I got this Cushion last year and I actually need to repurchase a refill soon. This cushion is perfect for the winter time where I want something moisturising that helps me with the cold of the winter. It also leaves a really natural effect to the skin and doesn't cake on anything. I'm seriously impressed with this one and actually it made me want to try out more cushions (even from western brands).
 

Aritaum Sugarball Velvet Blusher
I think I have mentioned these blushes a few times here. They are usually the ones I take with me when I am travelling somewhere. They are pigmented and leave a really natural flush to my cheeks. You could think that Korean blushes aren't that pigmented but actually brands have been changing that type of concept. The packaging of these can seem a bit bulky but considering it has a good brush and a decent mirror, it isn't that bad. I just wish they could have more shades.
 

Etude House Liquid Lips Lipstick

I recently wrote a review about these little guys. I still want to grave two nude shades from this range - and maybe another burgundy shade? Who knows?. The applicator is just perfect to apply the product into your lips and the formula is really amazing. They aren't super matte at first but with time they dry out as such. And can talk about how cute this packaging is? I'm sorry Kylie but Etude House does it better. (no hate for saying this! it's just my humble opinion!!)

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Korean Beauty is something I'll always love and get interested in. TonyMoly is finally available here and I am thinking about getting some bits and bobs around my birthday time. I'll also try to catch up on writing the review about the Secret Key Essence and my talking about my current skin care routine. I've been working hard around here - or trying to at least. Thank you very much for reading and if you have any recommendations, feel free to leave them. Take care and have a nice day!

I have been wondering about the right time to talk about these guys, mostly because I'm planing on getting some of the nude and pink shades in the future ( not in the nearest to be honest). With the craze surrounding liquid lipsticks, it wouldn't take too much time until to Korean brands release their own version. Etude House had already launched a version - tints that could be worn as lipsticks if we wanted, the Color Lips-Fit - but after a while they just launched the Color in Liquid Lips range with a enormous shade range and multiple seasonal and limited edition shades from time to time ( they have a green version for the spring time for example!!!). 

The packaging is like most of the products from Etude House a true dream to watch. Every detail is thought - it is appealing and user friendly because I want find what colour I am choosing very easily since it is shown. Yes it is plastic. Just like 85% of the packaging that other liquid lipsticks own, And even the boxes are cute!! I always have issues with this because I always feel compelled to order them inside a drawer I have. I just think it is too bad to trash out something so pretty like this. 

They aren't matte completely matte. In my opinion they held a satin finish - something like the amplified finish some MAC lipsticks have. Still, it is comfortable to the lips and really easy to apply. 

Spring dear Spring, please bring the warm and sun. But leave the pollens and allergies. ( anyone who suffers from them will understand my plea ). 

If during the winter time I have a thing for Reds and deep Burgundy shades, sometimes purples and other dark colours - during the Spring and Summer I tend to gravitate towards the opposite. I don't know why but I always had a things for pink-coral lipsticks. It's unconscious I have to say. But thankfully I never committed the shameful mistake of getting a lipstick that it is equal to other I might had - they all differ in therms of they are more pink or more coral , texture and finish. 

With all of this in mind, I decided to share my picks and kind-of collection of pink-coral lipsticks. I'm quite proud because there are options for all budgets - from High End, passing through Korean Beauty and finally Budget Beauty. There are two shades that are part of limited collections but I believe that their brands eventually released this same shade but in another collections. 

I might also do a similar post but about blushes and eyeshadows...but now let's embrace the lipsticks. 

( from left to right : Etude House OR202 ; Etude House PK001 ; Etude House PK023 ; Too Faced Juicy Melons ; MAC Sunny Seoul ; KIKO 32 ; Catrice 210 Pinkadilly Circus ) 

Etude House Dear My Wish Lips Talk in 0R202  - I have already declared my love for this line from Etude House in a previous post. This shade in particular is probably the only orange I dare to wear. But it indeed screams Spring and Summer to me. In terms of texture is probably the creamiest of the bunch and the one (along side with the other shade I'll mention from this line) that stains the most and holds the colour.
Etude House Dear My Wish Lips Talk in PK001 - This is a bright pink and although you can't see on the swatch, it does contain more orange - while in the swatch appears to contain more blue and pink. It is probably my favourite shade of the selection, since it is the one that screams happiness, light and brightness to me. I don't know, It just feels like a positive shade.
Etude House Dreaming Swan Dear my Blooming  Lips Talk in PK023 - I have to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with this lipstick. It is more dry than the other lipsticks I own from the brand and tends to sometimes emphasize any dry patch or lines that I might have on a particular bad day. But on good days this just looks super gorgeous on my lips. I guess I'll have to learn how to work with it during the season.
Too Face La Créme in Juicy Melons - In terms of High End formulas Too Faced is probably my favourite so far. This was the first lipstick I tried from the brand to this day I have not regret the decision. It is super creamy and pigmented, comfortable and the shade is totally my ally.
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Sunny Seoul - This is a very sentimental lipstick for me. Let me introduce you to my first purchase from MAC. At the time I was still quite afraid of getting bold colour so getting a cremesheen lipsticks seemed the best option at the time. Today I like to wear this one on days I have a more detailed eye look and I want a pop of colour on my lips but nothing major.
KIKO Ace of Diamond Lipstick in 32  - This lipstick was part of a limited collection KIKO had two years ago if I am not mistaken. At this point you already realized that I truly like coral lipsticks and that it isn't much of a surprise that I got this shade...But I have to say that I wish they would release more lipsticks with this formula since the lipstick dries matte but stays comfortable and lasts for hours without any major issue.
Catrice Ultimate Colour in 210 Pinkadilly Circus - I had to mention another budget option, since the previous was discontinued/part of a limited collection. I got this lipstick during a trip where I was able to forget all of my lipsticks at home (#NoLipstickNoMakeupLook)... It is probably the one I wear the least I'm not a huge fan of the waxy formula but comparing it to other option I believe it's something worthy to be mention and to tried.

As you can see, there are options for every budget and preference. I'll do eventually a similar post about Pink and Coral blushes ( I'm trying to find courage to swatch all of those babies on my arm...)

Do you guys have any recommendation for Coral Lipsticks?
Thank you very much for reading and take care!!

I believe I don't have to explain how much I love Etude House as a brand. It's for sure one of my favourite Korean brands , not only because of their packaging but also because of their quality. Oh and the price range! they are also quite wallet-friendly as well. 

Etude House owns many collections and types of lip products - from tints, liquid lipsticks to lipsticks like the ones I present here. The Etude House Dear My Wish Lips-Talk are so far my favourite lipsticks - only overthrown by the Too Face La Créme Lipstick - not only because of their super cute packaging ( like...LOOK AT THE BOWS!!) but also because their quality is top notch. These lipsticks are hipper pigmented, comfortable and stain your lips for hours, You only need to be careful with the fact that they are extremely creamy - they can melt easily if in contact with heat, which is why I keep them inside my drawer without catching the sun light - and that you might need a lip pencil prior to the application of the darker shades,

They all dry eventually to a matte finish but you won't find it dry or to emphasise any patches or dryness of your lips. They easily come out with micelar water or any cleansing oil. And believe me, if you apply them in the morning, you'll sill have stain and colour on your lips by the night time.
I own 6 shades of this range - still crying and thinking about getting the two nude shades from the collection - and they have pinks, nudes, corals, oranges and reds. They only shades I can't really wear are the oranges since they don't suit my complexion. The first I own were gifted by the lovely Shayne from Queen of All You See. I seriously can't thank her enough!!!

( from left to right : OR202 ; PK001 ;PK002)

Starting with the lightest shades, OR202 is more peach-looking than what it is shown here. It's the only orange-based shade I can wear peach it looks more coral than orange. It's a gorgeous shade to wear during the Spring and Summer. PK001 is the lightest pink of the range and it's another shade I love to wear during the warmer days - it's super bright and neon-ish. On the other hand, PK002 has a more tint of red in it, making it perfect for any time of the year. It is a statement pink that I enjoy to wear along side with more a neutral eye look or just a simple winged eyeliner.

All of these shades eventually dry matte and can also be worn on the centre of the lips and be blended out to make a gradient lip. I've done it before, specially with OR202 and it is a really amazing effect since this will stain like a lip tint but it will be more bright and less dry since you might not need to add a lip gloss on top of it. 

( from left to right : PK003 ; RD301 ; RD302)

Next, here are the more bright and dark shades of the range. PK03 is for sure my favourite shade from the group - it isn't either a pink or a red, it's something bright and fun that stays in between and I just love that. It's a shade that makes me feel confident about myself and everything I have to face during the day - not all shades can do that to a person I think. RD301 is what we can call a bright and open red. Kind-of a cherry shade that reminds me of Red Ridding Hood and Snow White. I like to wear this shade whenever I have an important event or a family meet where I need to look polished. And lastly but not least at all the RD302 was my companion during the winter whenever I wanted a statement lip or something more deep on my lips. I looks really purple on the tube but it is more red-ish in reality.  I was quite surprised for Etude House realising this shade, since it's not usual for them to release something so dark.

Overall, I really love these lipsticks and I want to get my hands on BE101 and BE102 which are the nudes of the collection. I've been growing my collection of nudes and brownish shades for a while and these look just perfect for that. I also want to get more shades of their liquid lipsticks - which have one of the best applicator I have encountered.
You can find the Etude House Dear my Wish Lips-Talk lipsticks at shops like Jolse.com , Beautynetkorea.com, roseroseshop.com and the official EtudeHouse.com website.

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you have recommendations of more Korean lipsticks, please share them!

( BR401 Cafe Latte ; Look at My Eye Jewel OR202  - both dry and with wet )

While making my first order from the official Etude House website, I decided that it would be a nice experience trying out their eyeshadows. Their range is quite good and the price is like...something that can't be beat. I mean, less than 5$ for a single shadow ? I had to try it out.And I'm really glad I did.
The matte eyeshadow, BR401 Caffe Latte has been my go-to matte shade. Seriously, there isn't anything that had beaten this eyeshadow. It might not look that impressive on the pan but really, it can make a difference. And the best part is that it's not powdery at all. Like...at all. It's super smooth and blends without any type of problem. It's not the first time that I might take with me a palette like Zoeva's Rosen Golden or Urban Decay's Naked 3  and this eyeshadow to keep the look polished and perfect. I'll probably get another matte from this line soon or latter.
The Glitter eyeshadow , Look at My Eyes Jewel OR202 is a really gorgeous orange full of golden particles. I'm usually really scared of this type of eyeshadows because they then to fallout a lot. Funny thinf is, this doesn't. I've worn this eyeshadow many times - both wet and dry - and it never fade, fell out or creased. Like never. I'm really tempted to get another two or three shades from this line to add into my collection - specially their greens and blues.
Overall, I totally recommend Etude House's single eyeshadows, They know have also a palette to house the shadows if you happen to depot them but, these are so good that I probably won't depot them. I believe it's because of eyeshadows like these that I'm really thrilled for shadows like Color Pop - I don't really like their packaging and how hard it is for me to get them. Seriously, try Etude House Eyeshadows, you'll fall in love for sure.

Take care, have a nice day!