Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream [Empties Review]

I think this is the most expensive product I've used to date.  I had a moment where I was obsessed with all these luxury brands and their snazzy packaging, and I started thinking up ways I could manage to afford them...  Sure, $220 for a moisturizer doesn't sound that bad, I could just eat ramen for a couple of months...  However, I did not splurge yet.  Full disclosure, this review is on the samples that I bought to try it out.

Review: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Skin

Isn't it odd how there are so many different names for one product?  Especially with skincare, and even more so in Korean skincare.  A toner, for example, can be called "toner" (natch), or a skin,  freshener, softener, hydrator, lotion, or a myriad of other names.  I wonder if it's an effort to make consumers buy all the things (!), or if everybody wants to distinguish themselves, or the Google Translate just changes its mind depending on what they throw in.  

Today, I will be reviewing Etude House's toner from their Moistfull Collagen line.  They call it a "Skin" on their website, but it says "Facial Freshener" on the bottle.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  I've just reviewed the Lotion of this line.  Will the Skin do any better?

Review: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Lotion

Have you ever bought something, and it works just fine, but it makes you so annoyed every time you look at it?  That's how I feel about Etude House's Moistfull Collagen line.  And the thing is, it's not their fault.  It's mine.

Haul: A Different Kind of Haul...

I'm so excited!  My first order from LotionCrafter came in today.  I have another order from SkinEssentialActives coming in hopefully next week, and then everything will be all set!  *mad scientist cackle*

My Skincare Diary: Tretinoin, Foot Masks, DIY Vitamin C, and the Korean Beauty Routine

(You guys, I was so tempted to call this My Beauty Diary, but I think I'd get in trouble.)

Yes, I succumbed.  I've been wanting to try a retinol, and was looking at some schmancy options, as well as some DIY options, ...then I had an appointment with my derm for a mole check (everything's great!), and I ended up with this.  Plus, it's covered by my insurance, vs. $50+ for an OTC one.  I've been on it for almost three weeks now, and after some shuffling of my routine, and some burny-ow-bad!idea moments, I think I've got it pretty figured out.  It's a pain, because you have to wait 30 minutes after you cleanse, so my face is starving for some hydration, and then wait another 30 minutes before proceeding with your routine.  This is a one hour commitment!

A Rant on OST's C20 and C21.5 Serums, and Some Thinky Thoughts on Vitamin C

Hi everyone!  I ran out of my OST C20 a couple of weeks ago, and have been debating DIY vs rebuying, or at least buying a different Vitamin C serum to tide me over.  Now, I'm not a chemist - taking a couple of chemistry classes in college does not a chemist make - but I did do some research into Vitamin C, and what I've found is kind of upsetting.

Image from Wishtrend

Missha reformulating their Time Revolution Essence and Ampoule

Reddit user /u/naoti posted two PSAs to the subreddit AsianBeauty over the last couple of days where she noticed that Missha is reformulating two of their bestselling products from the Time Revolution line.  The Essence (ingredients change here), and the Ampoule (ingredients change here).  No changes have been made to the pages on Missha's US website yet.

Notable changes to the Essence include a renaming of the product to the First Treatment Essence Intensive (maybe because they have a "White" line in the Time Revolution series?  Or just to compete with IOPE, since theirs has an "Intensive" on the end?), and the dropping of licorice root extract.  They did bump some of the other extracts higher up on the list though.  I am curious how that affects how well it brightens and calms without licorice.

The Ampoule will gain a new word to its title, in its quest to be the longest named product in history, to now be called the "Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Borabit Ampoule" with some of its actives moved higher up on the list of ingredients.

Again, these aren't updated on Missha's US site yet, but I've found them on GMarket for $35 for the Essence and $35 for the Ampoule..

Haul: Sokoglam 50% Flash Sale

Sokoglam had a flash sale on select items.  They were 50% off(!!!), so I snagged a couple of things that I've been wanting...and then added a little more to hit the free shipping point.

Travel Skincare, and the need to reevaluate my routine

As some of you know, I went to Dallas last week for a little family vacation.  (See photos of my kbeauty hunting excursion here.)  I decided I would take just a bare minimum of products with me to see how I would fare.