My choice of Korean special care travel essential!

I have been traveling quite intensely for the past few months since August from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Dalat (and I got a trip in coming 2 week time!) and to keep my skin healthy is not easy. Constant exposure to dirt & sun make my skin are more prone to breakout. If I could bring my Panasonic Nanocare Facial Steamer would be great but I think to pack a few tubes of skincare seems more convenient. I truly felt that besides our usual skincare routine here like cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser, we need some special care to help to boost & pamper our skin health!

 As you might know Korean skincare is known to use a lot natural ingredients passed down from generation to generation. This tradition continues today with formulations that tend to shun harsh chemicals and draw from the Earth plus they are pretty affordable in general. So while I was googling to look for solution from Korean skincare brand I stumbled on a few articles on ProductNation Malaysia talking about this and they have the latest product reviews, products on-trend, consumer favourite and best of all an indication of price (btw the prices could change based on the e-commerce promotions that are going on)

Below are some of special care products from Korean brands I have researched and read their skin care review in Malaysia before trying out myself and I think these are great to maintain our kin during travel.

Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask 

A mask with Micro Clay Mask containing Super Volcanic Clusters that is effective at absorbing excessive sebum and fine dust stuck between small pores and wrinkles. Formulated with 84.7% naturally derived ingredients, including 6,020 mg Jeju Volcanic Cluster and 5 proven exfoliants (volcanic clusters, walnut shells, cellulose, AHAs, BHAs). This 6-in-1 pore solution mask in a light, airy mousse helps: 

1. minimize the look of pores 
2. absorb sebum 
3. gently exfoliate 
4. deeply cleanse 
5. even skin tone
6. keep skin feeling cool 

I prefer the mousse over the jar version one as the pump allows for easy and mess-free application. I like how my skin feel very clean after using this however I can only use 1 to 2 times a week as it is pretty drying and I need to put on a hydrating mask right after.

Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask EX

A peel-off mask that removes dead skin cells and impurities for smoother skin. This mask includes finely ground Solomon’s Seal, fine honey, and Japanese Honeysuckle to leave skin look clear and translucent. This mask also contains natural ingredients including pine, licorice, Cnidium Officinale, and Angelica Acutiloba. I always love peel off mask but most of them are drying but this one is not. 

I love the ginseng scent super soothing and relaxing. I love how the skin was much noticeably cleaner and smoother after each use.

 Skin Food Rice Mask Wash Off 

An exfoliating and moisturizing scrub mask with grains which is based on rice and rice extract. With its texture of ground rice, it leaves skin bright, soft and lustrous. I have been using this product for at least like 10 years and yet this is one of the best classic scrub mask around that is so affordable to own.

Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off 

Another mask from SkinFood. This sweet mask wash-off features organic black sugar granules that exfoliate and nourishes skin, leaving you feeling smooth and clean. 

Among the 2,091 reviews in ProductNation for this 4-star rated product, people are saying how much cleaner, refreshed and softer their skin feels after using it.It’s not hard to tell why because this mask is really affordable yet the result is immediate! Skin feel super smooth, moist and soft after using it with a sweet scent left behind.

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel 

Soak in the goodness of Californian aloe vera with this soothing gel. This is super mild on skin, it can be used to moisturise face, arms, legs, and hair. The vitamins from aloe vera also protect your skin from harmful UV rays and best use to soothe burn skin. I swear by this and always bring this along when I travel and I have a few jars of these product places around on my working table, vanity table and beside my table so it’s easy to reach.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 

Besides their best seller sleeping mask, I think a lot of us often forget that the most important part of our smile is our beautiful lips.This sleep-in mask for the lips will gently melts away dead skin cell leaving lips moist and supple the next morning. A must have for me while I travel so that I can have beautiful looking lips for my travel pictures! 

These are some of the best Korean skincare product recommendation I researched via online and have tried personally and I hope you find it useful. I think there are too many products I bought in the past which are impulse purchase. Hence now I have become a smarter consumer (cos wan save money for traveling!) where I will actually Google for reviews, before trying out the sample or feel it at store before buying an actual size.

My K-Beauty haul from Koreanmall

I love shopping and everyone knows about it!! 

Nowadays, I prefer to shop at online store because it’s so convenient, lots of time/cost saving (save my petrol, parking and toll fee!) and I can actually get better deals than to shop in offline stores. 

What if I tell you today, you do not need to fly all the way to Korea and you can enjoy Korean online shopping at the comfort of your own house? http://koreanmall.com/app/ is the 1st Korean Global e-Shopping mall which is selling products made in Korea and more.

Koreanmall offers products such as fashion, beauty, food, baby/toddler, home gardens, sports and not forgetting K-pop directly from Korea. I love that there are varieties of category of products and I haven’t seen an e-commerce site that sells Food and K-Pop sections directly from Korea! So, basically the product we see in K-dramas, we can get directly from Korea... No need to wait for them to be launched in Malaysia!

This is the Top 10 Best Seller Beauty Products in Koreanmall!

No matter where you are, Koreanmall offers International Shipping from South Korea. Just need to chill at home and wait for your parcel after you made your purchase from Koreanmall :)

You do not need to worry about the shipping fee when you purchase from Koreanmall because all orders over $49 will be shipped right to your door. Absolutely free using Economy airmail! Yay more reasons to shop and enjoy the free shipping!

While it’s convenient to shopping online, there are times we are not satisfied with the products we receive. And I appreciate that Koreanmall offers Free & Easy return policy on all orders of $49 or more (exclude the shipping fee) within (14) days of the date you receive the item.

I feel so confident shopping on Koreanmall because it pledges to sell Korean products that are Korean Genuine items. And if you find out the products to be unauthentic, Koreanmall will refund you 200% of the price you pay. So rest assured that Korean products in KoreanMall are made in Korea, designed by Korea and Korean brands. 

With all these promises, I feel so much more secured and confident shopping from Koreanmall!

Plus, there are a lot of different payment methods available on Koreanmall for the convenience of shoppers!

This is my parcel from Koreanmall. The delivery was pretty fast and smooth. My purchase was properly packed in a box and sealed securely before it arrived at my doorstep.

Can you guess what I have purchased from Koreanmall?

I like how Koreanmall took extra effort to wrap my items individually with bubble wraps to protect the products.

On top of that, Koreanmall also stuffed the box with air pack to make sure shaking/impact is minimised during delivery.

The products were so securely packed with bubble wraps. I need to use scissor to open it! Jeng, jeng, jeng.... 

Guess what I purchased from Koreanmall.....

 My Korean beauty online shopping from Koreanmall!

Woohoo... This is my early Christmas gift for myself!

Trying Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask EX 

Been wanting to try this peel-off mask forever! Finally, I got this from Koreanmall! Love the herbalish smells from mask which has the benefits to purify, clarify dull and devitalized problem skin. 

Just peel off from top to bottom after 20-30 minutes when the mask dries. Love how my skin felt so much smoother, brighter and somehow slightly hydrated after used. Highly recommending this!

 Laneige Water Bank Ultra Moisture Cream 

This is a new product from Laneige which I have not tried before. I got this because I read that this ultra moisture cream is suitable for winter. And since I’m planning for my winter trip at end of the year, it’s a good time to pick this to try out!

The texture is thick & buttery! I can feel the instant hydration treatment when I tried it on. Interestingly not only this can be used as a face moisturer, it also works as a night mask, hair essence, elbow care, makeup retouch, massage cream and makeup base to give radiance to the skin as well.

Laneige Perfect Renew Regenerator Serum 

This is a new product from Laneige which promises to re-new, re-energize and re-generate our skin by making sure it’s moisture, smooth and glowing. Although this is an oil essence serum, the texture is pretty lightweight and absorb quickly into the skin leaving it feeling soft almost immediately.

 

 Laneige MultiBerry Yogurt Repair Pack 

I love anything about berry! Hence, I picked up this high-concentration of multi berry extract yogurt pack from Laneige to try! Not only my skin smells sweeter after the mask, it also felt more hydrated and smoother.

Son & Park Beauty Gel 

My friend, Cynthia, recommended this brand. This is a skincare and makeup booster all-in-one! The moisture gel promises to make your skin texture smooth, all thanks to the collagen capsules containing non-sticky, refreshing moisturizing oxygen gel and rose oil. I use this as my makeup base before applying my foundation, it seems to make my foundation stays longer and hydrated.

 Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Brightening SPF50+/PA+++ 

I have been wanting to try this BB cushion ever since I read the high raved review made by Parisb, she said that this product makes her love cushion foundation! Got to agree that this lightweight cushion foundation goes beyond providing long-lasting coverage with a flawlessly satin, soft matte finish. 

Honestly, I am very happy with my purchase from Koreanmall. My K-Beauty products were reasonably priced and they arrived very fast in good condition directly from South Korea. I love the free international delivery for purchase over $49.

For more information about Koreanmall, please visit 

http://koreanmall.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/Koreanmall/

Innisfree Beauty Picnic with Jeju Sparkling Mineral Line

I had an amazing time at Innisfree Beauty Picnic a while ago in Organica Lifestyle in Bangsar! Wanted to write about it earlier but was really busy so here I am finally posting this up! A few days before the event, I was told to wear my picnic outfit. Honestly I never been to a real picnic in Malaysia because weather is so damn hot and feel a bit insecure with our security. So I put on my self-imagine picnic #ootd to go to the event, wearing something casual and a hat thinking we will be having picnic under the sun! Ahh... thank god I arrived at the venue and it's fully air-conditioned!

Can you agree with me that this place was decorated perfectly to fit to the event theme? Lots of flowers, green grass, picnic basket.... ah for a moment  I thought I was in Jeju having a picnic! 

Love  the details in the decorations that they put up.. Good job guys!

Before we start with our beauty picnic with Innisfree, Johnny Nam, Brand Manager of Innisfree shared his short welcome note with us. He shared that Innisfree is often aspires to inspire consumers in ways to celebrate natural beauty while keeping it green. A beauty picnic is a form of inspiration of beauty lovers to meet and dedicate their time to appreciate the wonders of earth's produce.

Ms Purple Tap is Innisfree Assistant Training Manager shared that Innisfree products are made from Jeju Island, Korea natural resources. 

Ms Purple shared that in the olden days, Jeju pure sparkling mineral water is known as Gumyeongsu (life saving water), as it cured illness and saves lives. Its goodness has been told from generation to generation. 

Jeju sparkling mineral water is unique that it feels cold at the first touch as its temperature is lower than the body temperature. With the high carbonic content, it stimulates blood circulation and giving the skin a warm feeling. 

This new Innisfree new range is a daily hydration skincare range that uses sparkling mineral water as its main element. It promises your skin clear and moist from within while giving you an everyday hot spring spa-like sensation. 

Jeju Sparkling Mineral is made from Sanbangsan Mountain's hot spring water in Jeju Island. We were told that this is not just normal water as this pure sparkling mineral water was formed 800,000 years ago and is drawn from the aquifer 535 meters deep underground.

A very interesting fact that we were told is that this hot spring has an average temperature if 31 celcius and it's lower than general hot spring and this actually helps the carbon content of the water high. Carbonic acid from the hot spring has the ability to penetrate effortlessly into the skin due to its highly soluble state which increases the oxygen absorption ability of blood, muscles and skin. Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral contains 3 types of carbonic acid and 13 types of hot spring minerals which convey active ingredients to the skin.

I have been to hot spring no wonder my skin was always soft and moist after soaking, probably due to the carbonic acid. Interesting to see Innisfree is using hot spring water mineral to make into a skincare range cos I never seen any brands has use this ingredients.

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral has a total of 6 products that ranges from cleansing powder, toner, essence, lotion, moisturiser (cream and lotion type) and mist. 

I wore my cute Innisfree headband and I'm ready to try out the products and share a little bit more on each range. So are you ready? Let's go!

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Powder (RM8.00/30g)

This is a cleansing powder with Jeju sparkling mineral water. Revitalize skin with this easy-to-use  carbonic acid powder pack that clears and moisturises skin, giving skin relaxing spa-like treatment with carbonic acid hot spring water at the comfort of home. The fizzy bubbles form as the sparkling mineral powder dissolves into water, providing a sparkling massage effect.

It also contains Jeju tangerine peel extract that cleanses away any dirt left inside our pores, giving instant brightening effect after washing the face. 

How to use : Get a big bowl that can fit your face. Fill in the bowl with water with about 1.5 to 2 liter of water. Add in Sachet 1 (blue pack) ad wait until it dissolves. Add sachet 2 (white pack) and stir in the water to make fizzy bubbles. 

Soak your face into the water for 2-3 minutes or wash your face using both hands to feel the effect of sparkling massage. Rinse off your face with lukewarm water. 

Watch a short video I posted in my Instagram @jessyings on how I do this. It's so addictive... haha... and I just bought a new pack again to enjoy the sparkling massage effect. 

First time trying cleansing powder in this way, would say totally unique experience. I felt my skin is refreshing and softer after soaking into this. And really fun to do! 

Note : If your skin turn red or flushing after soaking don't be alarmed because your skin is having blood circulation.  It will calm down after a while.

Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum (RM90/80ml)

One of their best seller of all time, I have been wanting to try this! This water-like texture, the serum  is made of 100% fresh green tea instead of water, and able to boast a five-times-better moisturising power after use and increases the moisture content inside the skin up to 66% while decreasing the amount of dead skin cells by 76% - keeping your face effortlessly crystal; clean. The light green tea scent is really pleasant.

You have realised that I have put on serum first on my 2nd step of skincare instead of lotion. This is recommended by Innisfree because Green Tea Seed Serum will act as a booster. It will help to allow deep penetration and absorption of other skincare products into your skin.

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Skin (RM79/200ml)

A deep hydration skin toner loaded with 88% sparkling mineral water that provides a powerful boosting effect. The ethanol-free toner (yay it's alcohol free!) is penetrated fast into the skin to smoothen the skin texture and to enhance the absorption of skincare products in the following steps. The acid balanced formula helps maintain a healthy skin by restoring the imbalanced pH after face wash. 

You can either use cotton to apply this or just use your hand to apply this. I prefer the latter method and to pat all goodness from the Mineral Skin onto my skin directly. As there is no alcohol in the product, it's really gentle to the skin. The texture is extremely light and it's water. And the faint tangerine scent is really refreshing. My skin feel soft but not sticky!

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Essence (RM110/70g)

This contains 73.6% of sparkling mineral water. With the help of Micro Sparkling Technology, micro-sized carbonic acid bubbles that are smaller than pores are formulated to best fit onto the skin while facilitating penetration of active ingredients, making skin clean, clear and moist. Just like spa therapy, this delivers 5-in-1 intensive moisturising effect that helps with 5 skin concerns such as skin texture, balance uneven skin tone, keep skin firmness, strengthened the skin barrier and promotes blood circulation through massage.

This is the first time I see serum in foam texture but it still absorb nicely onto the skin when I apply it on my skin. Love how my skin feel soft and supple!

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Cream (RM110/50g)

This Sparkling Mineral Cream is infused with 69.9% sparkling mineral water. The lightweight translucent fluid texture absorbs fast into the skin to form double moisture layer that remains all day long. The skin-friendly ceramide is stabilized in a fluid form, building a protective film to strengthen the moisture barrier on skin.

To those who has oily or combination skin, you can use Mineral Lotion instead which is lighter than the cream. Personally I felt the cream texture is really light and easy to absorb.

Innisfree Sparkling Mineral Mist (RM52/80ml)

To those who are looking for instant and intense hydration, you can try Sparkling Mineral Mist which has 90% sparkling mineral water. It resolves dryness while supplying minerals to keep skin moisturized anytime and anywhere. 

Love how the mist texture is really fine and absorb onto the skin nicely providing a quick moisturising boost. Although this mist has oil extracted from coconut as one of the ingredients to help to retain moisture on skin, it does not leave the skin oily after spraying the mist.

Tips of spraying mist, make sure you spray at 20cm away from the skin while keeping your eyes  and mouth close..haha see I forgot to close mine and tasted some of the mist.. 

Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50+/PA+++ (RM80/15g) . Refill selling at RM45

Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50+/PA+++ helps to reduce the appearance of pores, discolorations, and imperfections and ensures a perfectly flawless complexion every time. The Long-wear Complex containing Jeju volcanic powder delivers flawless coverage with this long-wearing effect. Whether oily, dry or combination, "Sebum control" Jeju volcanic powder will intuitively adjust to meet and address your skin concerns for makeup that wears better, longer, and true. 

Side by side comparison

I love how Innisfree Long Wear Cushion instantly enhanced my skin complexion with the effect of reducing the appearance of pores, discolorations, and imperfections.

Tadaa my after look from trying out their range!

After the hands-on we have some very interesting DIY session with Shantini Iyngkaran, Founder of this beautiful venue Organica Lifestyle.

Some ingredients for the DIY jar salad

Here is my own DIY jar salad! Super easy to make and delicious to eat!

I also made DIY Sparkling Juice wih raspberry extract!

Super love this healthy and fun beauty picnic!

Not only that we are also served with very delicious organic drink 

we had delicious organic food by Organica! This is the real beauty picnic!

Looks how happy we are in the picture because we really had an amazing time at the Innisfree beauty picnic learning about their latest range Jeju Sparkling Mineral Essence!

Picture with Wei Zhi and Nisa

And me smiling happily with my favourite pink hydrangeas flower! Thanks guys for being so thoughtful, I had a bonquet of my favourite flower and a bunch of Innisfree products in a basket to bring home! 

Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Line products are already in Innisfree stores. Do give this a try if you are looking for a daily deep hydration skin care range and do enjoy the everyday hot spring spa-like sensation in their skincare range! 

If you don't know yet, not only Innisfree has their outlet in Sunway Pyramid , but they are also in Paradigm Mall and Pavilion Mall! Glad to see it's nearer to me now! And recently their Christmas sets are out... so time to check them out!

For more info visit 

https://www.facebook.com/innisfreeMYS

https://www.innisfreeworld.com/

p/s: Hope you guys learn something from my sharing here, feel free to ask or share your thoughts on Innisfree!