poshmakeupnstuff: 2016

My Must-Have Korean Skin Care Products for 2016

must-have korean skin care products 2016

When the BB cream trend has spread across the globe, Korean beauty products have slowly taken over the beauty scene. Since I tried my first ever BB cream (the cult classic Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream), I was hooked. 3 reasons why I keep purchasing K-beauty products: their multi-tasking skin care benefits, effectiveness and of course their cute packaging. It also helps that they are endorsed by Korean celebrities with perfect skin. 😋

I started doing the legendary Korean 10 step skin care ritual this year and it has done wonders on keeping my face clear (for most of the year). The following are the products that I'm currently loving:

1. Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel. This has become a cult-classic among bloggers as I have consistently seen this featured in a lot of beauty blogs. It's definitely a must-have for me because of its multi-functional qualities. I enjoy using this as a moisturizer since it is very lightweight, dries quickly and does not feel greasy. I like to keep this in my fridge so that it feels wonderfully cold when I apply it.

2. Onsaemeein Magic Solution Skin Powder. They say it is a dupe for Mario Badescu's Skin Care Drying Lotion. Similar to MB's Drying Lotion, you're not supposed to shake the bottle before using it. Just dip a cotton bud/Q-tip in the solution, make sure it has the powder and just dot it on that nasty zit. I haven't tried Mario Badescu's so I don't know which one works better. This one has been effective in drying out my small zits overnight. I used it on a huge zit once and I had to wait for the pus to come out before the solution was able to dry it out--took probably 3 days. I apply it before I go to bed and leave it overnight to get maximum results.

3. Nature Republic Bamboo Charcoal Mud Pack. I have a detailed review of this product so just click on the link to find out more about it. This one is a good mud pack and I like how the packaging preserves the product longer.

4. Korean Mask Sheets. I love mask sheets! The ones I'm currently loving are Holika Holika's Baby Pet Mask Sheets and mask sheets from Etude House. Each sheet masks caters to specific skin concerns like whitening, soothing, moisturizing and anti-aging. These mask sheets from Holika Holika are soo cute because their appearance changes as it dries.

5. Laneige Sleeping Pack_Ex. This is another kbeauty skin care cult classic. Its box contains the product, a spatula and a packet. The packet provides all the information regarding the product including an illustration of a face relaxing massage they suggest you do after applying the product. The pack has a light, gel-type consistency that offers intensive hydration, vitality, restorative and brightening effects while sleeping. Skin function declines remarkably during night time, therefore, this sleeping pack provides adequate moisture to our face while we sleep. This ensures that we wake up with hydrated, plump skin the next day. I have tried other sleeping packs but I find this one from Laneige is the best because it's lightweight, dries quickly, does not feel greasy and is also effective. It's good for all skin types so anyone can try it out. I highly recommend this product!

6. Habalan Pobling Pore Sonic Cleanser. Okay, I'm cheating by adding this on this list as it's a skin care tool. But it is a staple in my skin care routine. Initially my skin underwent the purging stage for a month but my face cleared up and has remained so after the purging stage. I just love using this together with my facial cleansers. It significantly makes the cleanser more effective. I can really feel the difference on my face when I use it. This can be a good dupe for the Olay, Foreo or Clarisonic facial cleansing brushes. Like the ones mentioned, it's a sonic brush which claims to emit 10, 000 vpm making it very effective in cleaning while being gentle on the skin. And for the germaphobes out there, yes the brush is replaceable. Since I started using this, it has become a staple on my night time cleansing routine. 👌

Have you tried any of these products or want a detailed review? Let me know on the comment section below. 😜

Thank you for reading my post. Have a great day, everyone!

***

Disclaimer: This blog post is NOT SPONSORED! Some links are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission when you shop. If you are not comfortable shopping through my links you do not have to. My feelings won't be hurt. I promise :) Just google the name of the product and I'm sure you'll find sites where to shop them.

2Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

In beauty, cushion foundation

Korean High-End Cushion ft. H E R A UV Mist Cushion

Hey there, lovelies!

I feel like it's been eons since I did a beauty product review. If you've been following me for a long time you know that I'm a sucker for cushion foundations. The last cushion product I've reviewed was the Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion and if you want to know my thoughts about that cushion you can click on the link.

This new Korean cushion I'm currently obsessing about is a cushion from a high-end brand by AmorePacific. It is the H E R A UV Mist Cushion. Hera is a high-end Korean brand that is said to be comparable to high-end Western brands such as YSL, Dior, Chanel and Hourglass.

Here are my thoughts about this cushion:

PACKAGING

As I've mentioned on my previous cushion review, cushion foundations are patented in Korea by a company called, AmorePacific, the same company who released the very first cushion foundation in Korea. That's the reason why cushion foundations are packaged similarly. Brands just basically differ in the formulation of the product and the designs in their packaging.

This particular cushion is made from sturdy plastic, with its brand and name on its pearlized cover. I like that it is made of shiny plastic material because I can easily clean it up when it gets dirty. The simplistic cover also gives the cushion a more elegant look. Personally, I prefer Hera's cushion design better than Lancome's.

Since this cushion is not the 2016 version (my review for the 2016 version will be up soon), the cushion sponge does not dispense the product evenly on the puff. This does not bother me anyway because what matters is blending the product evenly on your face. The box includes the case with the cushion inside and a 15g refill (Yay! 😍👏) therefore, you get 30ml of product with its price.

DESCRIPTION AND PRODUCT CLAIMS:

c/o althea.kr N for Natural Tone while C for Cover Tone

Hera offers 3 options for this line: Natural Tone,Cool Tone and Long lasting (not in photo). The Natural Tone has 4 shades while the other two only has 2 shades.

This cushion claims to be a multi-functional product: mist + foundation +sunblock+whitening+cooling effects. It instantly moisturizes and cools the skin because of its clay-mineral water ingredient which helps maintain the skin's moisture, reduce skin waste, dead skin and sebum. It blocks UV rays as well as prevents damage from oxidation and heat because of its Smart Layer UV Complex derived from its 4 kinds of sunflower seed oil, beta-carotene and tocopherol. This means it does not only protect the skin from the sun, but it also prevents the so-called, "photoaging".

It claims to be a whitening / anti-UV cosmetic while providing powerful long-lasting moisturizing effect for the skin because it contains hyaluronic acid and camellia oil.The Yarrow extract in it also helps get rid of dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin.

This cushion is dermatologist-tested and remains in excellent condition for 12mos after opening.

TEXTURE

I love that this cushion has a yellow undertone and not the usual pink undertone that most Korean cushions have. It has a very light consistency thus providing a buildable coverage without looking cake-y. It claims to provide a cooling sensation on the skin which I haven't felt but maybe it's because I only use it in the morning after my skin care routine. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing makes my skin feel cold so I guess, that's why I don't feel the cooling effects of this product.

I use the cushion puff included because I believe that cushion foundations are meant to be applied on the skin using patting motions rather than buffed with a brush. It goes on the skin easily, blends like a dream and sets easily. It does feel hydrating on the skin and doesn't get sticky throughout the day.

SCENT
If you're sensitive with scents, this one may not be for you. It has a faint floral scent which I didn't really notice until I sniffed the sponge. Every time I use it, I don't really notice its scent so it doesn't really bother me.

COVERAGE

coverage after 2 layers

This cushion provides a buildable coverage. It doesn't cake up even when I apply several layers to try and cover up my blemishes. When I apply a second layer, it does an excellent job in covering my dark undereyes, hyperpigmentation and pimple marks. Because of its moisturizing benefits, it did not emphasize any dry patches in my skin.

I always purchase the darkest shade in every Korean cushions I've tried. Despite that, they still seem too light for me upon application. For this cushion, I purchased C23 which is Cover Tone #23, the darkest shade with high coverage. However, it still looked very light on me. But since it oxidizes a bit throughout the day, it slowly matched my face and neck.

FINISH AND LONGEVITY

I find it annoying to keep removing hair off my face and who knows what other stuff that sticks to my it throughout the day. That is why I like how this cushion doesn't feel sticky and gives a matte to semi-matte finish which is uncommon for a Korean cushion.

This product has excellent sebum control properties. It was able to keep my face matte even after 5-6 hours! However, if you have really oily skin and live in a humid country, a mattifying powder and blotting papers will be your best friends. Compared to the Lancome cushion, this one does not cling on to the dry patches on my face and provides better coverage (upon layering) that lasts throughout the day.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am in love with this cushion foundation. The quality of this cushion is outstanding. You can tell from the formulation and how it looks and feels that it is a high-end product. Its coverage is excellent. It makes it seem like my face is poreless. The wear and oil-control properties are fantastic. It is definitely by far the best cushion foundation I have ever tried. I completely understand why even though it is on the pricey-side, it's one of the best-selling cushions in Korea. And I find it very convenient that when you buy the product, everything else you need is included in the box.

I can only think of 2 cons for this cushion: (1) it is not transfer-proof and (2) it has limited shade range. Sadly, if you have medium to dark skin tone, you might not have a shade for this line.

If you're thinking of getting a high-end Western cushion, I highly suggest that you try this cushion instead. Its definitely worth its price!

⇹⇹⇹

Hope you like this post. Have you also purchased this cushion foundation? Let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below.

Have a great day everyone!

2Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

In asian cooking, asian dish

Food Porn: Fried Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)

Hello everyone! I'm back with another Asian recipe to share to you. From the title of this post, you'd know that this dish is none other than the infamous spring rolls. Spring rolls are very popular in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Depending on which country you come from, this dish has several variations. From the name, the fillings, type of wrapper and the cooking method, it all largely depends on the region's culture.

It is believed that spring rolls may have originated from China. It was considered a seasonal dish back then, mainly consumed during spring (hence the name). It started as a pancake with fillings made from the season's spring vegetables as a welcome change from the preserved foods during the long winter months. And since then, it has become a popular snack across Asia.

If you want to learn more about spring rolls and its variations, click on this link, if not, enough rambling and let's proceed with the recipe🍽 !

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1 small onion (minced)

3 tbsp carrots (minced)

3 tbsp spring onions (chopped)

1/4 K ground pork (substitutes: beef / chicken)

2 small-sized eggs

1 tbsp sesame oil

salt and pepper

spring roll wrapper

Procedure:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mixed thoroughly.

2. Scoop about 1 tbsp of the mixture and place it on the middle-bottom portion of the wrapper.

2. Roll the wrapper starting from the bottom, then fold the sides to seal it, then just roll the wrapper upwards.

3. Leave about an inch from the top end of the wrapper and seal it by wetting that portion before completely rolling it.

4. Once you've completely wrapped all the mixture, deep fry each roll for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Make sure not to crowd the pan to evenly cook each roll.

6. When its golden brown, place the rolls on a plate with a paper towel to soak in the oil.

7. Transfer to a serving and you're done!

Share and enjoy!

*I used sweet chili sauce for the dip.

I believe that cooking is a personal experience. I personally do not measure the ingredients most of the time and just rely on my taste when adding flavors. Therefore, you can follow these steps or you can be creative and use ingredients you want.

Hope you like this post. Let me know if you've tried this recipe or my previous recipe.

Have a great day everyone!

0Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

In chicken curry, chicken dish

Food Porn: Simple Chicken Curry Recipe

Good day, everyone!

I'm back with another simple recipe for you guys. I know there are several variations out there on how to make chicken curry but if you're interested to know, this is my take on this popular dish. Also, I have previously shared a recipe that also makes use of coconut cream/milk. If you're interested, you can check it out here. If not, let's proceed with the recipe 👌.

Health Benefits of Curry Powder (can be skipped):

Curry powder is a popular spice mix that is considered a native of South Asian Cuisines. It is composed of several other spices which can vary depending on each region. It can change slightly, thus, altering the specific health benefits you can get from the powder. Some of the most common and beneficial ingredients of curry powder include the following: red pepper, basil, cardamon, cumin, turmeric and coriander (cilantro).

Here's a summary of its health benefits:

c/o organicfacts.net

So enough talk and let's proceed with the recipe🍽 !

Ingredients:

2 tbsp garlic (chopped)

2 tbsp ginger (chopped)

1 medium-sized onion (sliced)

1 medium-sized carrots (sliced)

1 medium-sized potato (cut into cubes)

2 small green bell peppers (cut into squares)

1/2 kg chicken breast (cubes)

3 tbsp fish sauce

pepper

200 ml coconut cream/milk

3-5 tbsp curry powder / curry paste

1 cup water

*optional: 1 small red chili pepper (chopped), cilantro (chopped)

Procedures:

1. Saute garlic, onion and ginger over low heat.

2. Add the chicken breast, then the fish sauce.

3. Mix the ingredients to make sure it is evenly distributed.

4. When the chicken turns white, add the water.

5. Cover the pan and bring to boil over medium heat for 10 minutes.

6. Add the coconut cream then the curry powder.

7. Stir the ingredients thoroughly.

8. Add the rest of the vegetables (I like mine, extra spicy so I add the chili but you can skip it depending on your preference). Make sure that they are submerged in the coconut cream.

9. Cover and bring to a boil for another 5 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally to avoid burning the coconut.

10. Season to taste (pepper) and you're done!

optional: Before serving, sprinkle dish with chopped cilantro.

You can serve it with bread or with rice. Enjoy your meal!

Happy eating!!!

Hope you like this post. Let me know if you've tried this recipe or my previous recipe.

2Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

In lifestyle, relationships

Simple Things My Boyfriend Does That Make Me Happy

How many chick flicks/shows have you watched where the guy does this grand gesture and wins the heart of the girl afterwards? I blame these chick flicks and shows for influencing us into wanting the same thing. But while the grand gesture has yet to happen to me, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the small ones my boyfriend does for me.

I am making this appreciation post and tagging some bloggers to make their own version of this post to spread the love. I think it will be fun reading the things they come up with. So let's start with mine shall we?

1. He keeps me well-fed.

One time, I was trying to meet a deadline for work and didn't realize how late it was and haven't had dinner yet. I was surprised when the doorbell rang and food was delivered to me. Apparently, when my bf found out that I haven't had dinner yet, he ordered food for me. I appreciate that he constantly checks up on me and makes sure that I don't neglect myself.

2. He shares his food.

Eating is probably one of our favorite bonding activity and I like tasting different kinds of food with him. I really love him for sharing his food and that I can eat off his plate or drink from his cup without him getting annoyed about it.

3. He's a gentleman.

Chivalry is not dead, ladies. One time we got caught up in the rain so there were puddles everywhere and one was too big for me to skip from. I was willing to get my feet wet but he suddenly carried me instead. He still opens doors for me, helps me carry stuff, etc. His mum taught him well. ^.^

4. He does silly things when we're alone.

I really enjoy his sense of humor and he just does silliest things that makes me laugh. He does a lot of weird faces or does random silly things which is why he is just so adorable and fun to be with.

5. He helps me with chores.

I don't even have to ask him. He usually volunteers to help me around on chores like cooking or cleaning up after each meal.

6. He makes me some Hot Choco or Tea at night.

This one is similar to keeping me well-fed. At night, he usually gives me a warm drink before bedtime.

7. He makes sure I'm always comfortable.

My body's really bad in regulating my temperature which means, I am constantly cold. Whenever he would notice that, he would either lend me his jumper, warm up my hands or at night he would make sure that I'm cozy under the duvet.

8. He's my personal cheerleader.

He's very encouraging. I didn't want to let him know that I have a blog because I was scared he would make fun of it. It took him months to finally convince me to let him see it. When he did, he was very encouraging and helpful that he even got me a new camera to improve my blogging game. It really touches my heart when he says that I have the potential to be greater than who I am now and that I should learn to believe myself the way he believes in me.

9. He's very affectionate.

I thought I was an affectionate person until I met him. He's an uber-affectionate man. He loves all kinds of affection from holding hands, hugging, kissing to squeezing me to death. Lol.

10. He watches my girly, mushy movies with me.

Not all guys like romantic movies or rom-coms, but with my guy, he does what I say. Lol. I will never forget the time when we watched, "Me Before You". The movie has ended and I was still upset at the ending. When I looked at him, tears were rolling down his cheeks. It was so funny and sweet!

Basically, I love how sensitive he is and that he's very unselfish when it comes to me. That's why I know he's a keeper and love him so much.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed it. Share the small things your bf/partner does that you love as well. Let me know about them on the comment section below.

Have a great day!

*photo credits: Yahoo Images

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, by poshmakeupnstuff

In advice, chopsticks etiquette

Chopsticks Taboos

Planning a trip to East Asia? There are a lot of chopsticks taboos out there and they vary depending on each country. In this post, I have compiled some of the common taboos to give you an idea on things you should not do to avoid offending the locals. So before you leave for your trip, try to learn a few chopsticks etiquette with the following chopsticks taboos.

1. Licking your chopsticks

Licking, sucking or biting your chopsticks is considered impolite or rude. It is more offensive if you lick your chospticks then dipping it back in a common bowl where everybody else gets their food.

2. Passing food from your chopsticks to another pair of chopsticks.

The Japanese only practice this when it comes to picking up the bones of their deceased. When you need to pass food using your chopsticks, place it in their bowl where they can pick it up.

3. Sticking your chopsticks upright in your rice.

We Asians have a lot of superstitions and if you don't want East Asians to give you an evil glare, avoid doing this around them. Traditionally in Asian culture, we tend to leave food for the spirits of our recently dead relatives. In East Asia, they stick incense upright in a bowl of sand at funerals. Sticking your chopsticks upright in your rice resembles this tradition which implies you either want someone dead at the table or that someone might die because of what you did. Very superstitious, I know.

4. Leaving your chopsticks on your bowl when you're done.

Once you're finished with your meal, do not leave your chopsticks laying on the bowl or plate. It is impolite to do so. Let it rest on your chopstick rest or put it on the edge of a tray.

5. Pointing at someone using your chopsticks.

This is similar to using your index finger and pointing at someone. This behavior is considered impolite and is usually done by people who are in a quarrel.

6. Hitting your bowl with your chopsticks.

This is usually done by a beggar. Doing this makes you seem like you're begging for food.

7. Holding the chopsticks with two hands.

It is impolite to jab your food with your chopsticks or to hold them similar to a fork and knife. Hold them properly.

Have you done any of these taboos? Noticed the locals looking at you? Well, at least now you're more informed and just try to avoid doing them again. ^.^

Hope you learned a lot from this post. If you're interested, check out my previous post regarding a simple recipe I shared.

Have a great day, everyone!

*photo credits: c/o yahoo.

*references: link1 and link 2.

0Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

In appetizer, dynamite recipe

Food Porn: Dynamite Recipe

Good day lovelies!

Last time, I shared a quick and easy appetizer / snack which I hope you all enjoyed. For today I will be sharing another quick and easy appetizer / snack that is popular locally for its explosive flavor. We call this dish, Dynamite. Hmmm, guess why it's call dynamite. 😉 It's main ingredient is basically stuffed green chili pepper.

Benefits of chili peppers (may be skipped).

Known for their hot flavor, chili peppers are actually the fruits of Capsicum pepper plants. Although chili peppers are mainly used as a spice, it contains impressive ingredients of plant-derived chemical compounds, which makes it helpful in promoting health and preventing diseases. They are a good source of various vitamins and minerals but since they are eaten in small amounts, their contribution to the daily intake is very small.

Chili peppers have very significant amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which is also essential for the collagen synthesis inside our body. Collagen is a protein necessary for maintaining the health of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Thus, Vitamin C helps promote wound healing, prevent scurvy (a gum disease) and boost immune function.

Chili peppers are also rich in B-complex vitamins such as Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin (VitaminB1) and Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) which are relevant in energy metabolism, Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) which is necessary for healthy bones and kidneys and helps promote blood clotting, Vitamin A, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, and Potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Chili peppers also contain Copper which is another essential mineral that has antioxidant properties and promotes healthy bones and neurons. They are also said to be high in Lutein which studies suggest can help improve eye health.

The main compound in chili peppers, capsaicin, is the one responsible for giving them their strong spicy character and unique properties. Studies suggest that capsaicin has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, pain-relief (analgesic) and anti-diabetic properties. It also found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in obese individuals. It is also used in formulations of ointments, rubs and tinctures because of its astringent, counter-irritant and analgesic properties. These formulations have been effectively used in the alleviation of arthritic pain, sore muscles, etc.

References: link1 and link2

Now, there are variations in making Dynamite. You can add ground meat and some veggies but for now I will share the easiest way of making one. So enough talk and let's start cooking!

Ingredients:

green chili peppers (depending how many you want)

spring/egg roll wrapper

cheese (I used Mozzarella)

2 cups of vegetable oil (I used Canola oil)

*Optional: Dip

equal parts of sweet chili sauce and mayonnaise

(I used 5tbsp sweet chili sauce and 5tbsp mayonnaise)

Procedure:

1. Wash the chili peppers thoroughly.

2. Slit the middle of the chili pepper and remove the seeds. Place it under running water to completely remove the seeds.

3. Stuff the cheese inside the chili pepper like so:

4. Then start wrapping the chili peppers. Roll it once then fold the bottom depending on the size of the chili, then continue rolling it. Once you reach the end, seal the wrapper by wetting it with water using a brush, spoon or your finger.

5. Repeat step4 until you finish wrapping all the chili peppers.

6. Pour the oil in a pan and heat it over medium heat (I used 120 C). Place the sticks on the hot oil and fry for about 30 seconds or until brown then flip it for another 30 seconds or until brown.

7. Remove from the pan and place over a plate with napkin to remove excess oil.

*For the dip: mix the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce in a sauce bowl.

Serve and enjoy!

Hope you like this post. Let me know if you've tried this recipe or my previous recipe.

Have a great day everyone!

2Comments

, by poshmakeupnstuff

My Must-Have Korean Skin Care Products for 2016

Korean High-End Cushion ft. H E R A UV Mist Cushion

Food Porn: Fried Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)

Food Porn: Simple Chicken Curry Recipe

Simple Things My Boyfriend Does That Make Me Happy

Chopsticks Taboos

Food Porn: Dynamite Recipe

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