Product Review - Missha Tornado Ampule Mask (Stem Water)

The Missha Tornado Ampule Mask which is a sleeping pack has three products that is recommended based on your skin type. The Stem Water product has the benefit of being extremely hydrating which is great for those with dry skin or even during the colder seasons where heat tends to make the skin dry. Using birch sap, bamboo sap, white cedar sap and hyaluronic acid it helps to promote a more moisturized skin base within a short amount of time.

After your nightly skin care regimen, simply pack on the swirly goodness of the Tornado Ampule Mask and sleep the night away. It will help to promote clear skin, removing dead sin cells from the pores. Because it is made with natural pure water (with the concept of their aqua line) it is made with 7 kinds of natural water which relieves irritation. It is one product that is recommended for anyone with dry and sensitive skin because it does work. The amazing swirl of white and green lotion makes it that much more amazing as well!

Product Review - CNP Laboratory Anti-Blemish Spot Pads

This tear dropped anti-blemish spot pads is a pad with injected medication used to treat troubled skin. For those with acne and pimples in the bigger cheek area, it is suggested to be placed on clean skin for 5-10 minutes. The medication will soak into the skin and work its magic to reduce the number of pimples and the visibility of actual pimples on the face. After 5-10 minutes, the soaked pads can be used to swipe across the face to prevent and minimize breakouts all over the face. It worked extremely well overnight and reduced the pimples on my face, but I don't suggest using it for more than 5 minutes if you have sensitive skin like myself. 

My Current Obsession - Missha Near Skin Firming Peptide Shaping V Mask

Missha puts a twist on the cliche face masks with their Near Skin Firming Peptide Shaping V Mask. This complex name is given to a product that microscopically helps to slim down the face and provide a V shaped jaw line. Everyone knows how important a strong jaw line and less of a double chin is. Providing firming and lifting benefits for contouring the face, this gel face mask uses peptides that helps to slim down the face within 20 minutes.

On a clean face, simply apply toner and remove the sticky side from the plastic covering. Center on the jawline and pull to the ears to hold in place. There is a bit of stretch to the product which helps to fit faces of all sizes. After 15-20 minutes, remove the mask and pat the leftover ingredients into the skin to be fully absorbed.

The product may differ from person to person. I did not feel a lot of leftover product on the face because my skin has been a bit dry. Korea's air has been a bit difficult for me to adapt to, but it feels great for the product to soak into my skin quickly. I didn't experience any allergic reactions after having the product on for 20 minutes and results for the slim face is not immediate so it will take a few uses prior before I can guarantee the product to work effectively.

My Current Obsession - Holika Holika Premium Sheep Milk Yogurt

One of my recent purchases from Holika Holika is the Premium Sheep Milk Yogurt in Wild Berry. I am in love with the thick berry scent that leaves my face moisturized and glowing after one use. Simply leave to soak in on a clean face for 10-15 minutes and wash off. It is a bit of a hassle to wash off this thick mask so it is recommended to use a towel or a sponge, but be careful to wipe off all of the milk yogurt. Leave some to soak in on the skin to get that extra benefit. 

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

After my obsession with the Capsule Recipe Packs from the Innisfree store in Korea, I've been spending a lot more time researching and trying out their products. One of my recent beauty pickups is the Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask with scoria and green complex. This special mask contains volcanic ash from Jeju Island, a popular vacation spot in Korea as well as scoria and green complex which is rare ingredients to help the face.

The mask is known to help deep clean with the volcanic clusters and unclog pores, leaving clear skin after use. It is suggested to be used 1-2 times a week after a clean face. Just 10-15 minutes is enough for this mask which slightly hardens over time. Although washing it off is a bit of a fuss, the results leaves your face to be extremely smooth after one use. I am in love with the product and the store which means there will probably be a number of product reviews soon to come.

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack

Innisfree carries one of the best natural products for beauty. I am currently obsessed with my recent purchase and absolute love with the Capsule Recipe Packs. I picked up the blueberry and black bean-walnut recipe pack which is a mask that helps to keep your skin fresh and moisturized. This thick lotion eats into your skin, leaving your skin fresh and shining after you wash it off. 

The blueberry capsule recipe pack has an act of antioxidant that helps to clear out your skin as well as hydrate the face. I much prefer the black bean-walnut recipe pack because of the micro scrub-like texture that eats into your skin. The best part is the process of washing it off which is like using a face scrub, an added bonus. I do admit that it is a bit of a fuss to wash of this thick cream, but the results are extremely worth the trouble. For just $2 a pop, I recommend using it at least once a week. 

Happy Valentines Day & Winner Announcement

First off, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! For those of you who are celebrating with a loved one, I am a little jealous because I am all alone in Korea without the love of a significant other or family, but I do have a handful of loving friends. With that said, I decided to pick today to share my love with you all and announce the winner of the giveaway. Packaged with love and beauty, the winner of the Korea giveaway is Miharu Julie [please message me]

This giveaway includes the Slim Face Massage Roller, the Daiso values of False Lashes and Paper Soap, the Missha cleansing tissue, and a few of my favorite stores that I have yet to blog about: Etude House's Black Charcoal Chin Pack, Tony Moly's Floria Youth Energy Mask Sheet, and the saem's I <3 Natural mask sheet.

Thank you all for participating, there will be more giveaways to come! Korea has just too many beauty products and snacks goodies that I just can't keep up with and I would love to share with you all. Be sure to subscribe and spread the love <3

Beauty Splurge - Korean Beauty Products

First off, HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEARS! For those of you who celebrate this special day, I wish you and your family the best of health and a prosperous new year. Because it is the week of the new year, I have been busy prepping and planning for the year. Best of all, there's been a lot of shopping included.

I haven't be sharing my beauty splurges in Korea which is a constant thing. Therefore, I decided to share this week's shopping splurge! For starters, I had to pick up a lemon scented bar soap from Lush along with their bar conditioner for the hair. I thought it would be great to finally experiment with the bar conditioner that I have been dying to try. 

For the more Korean brands, The Face Shop is one of my favorite stores back at home with my constant splurges. Finally visiting the Korean Face Shop, I picked off where I left in America with the blemish treatment. Four items to help my random break out here in Korea: the Blemish Zero Bubble Foam Cleanser, Anti Trouble Healing Spot, Anti Trouble Blemish Patch, and the Pomegranate face mask.

Next, I made a stop at Skin Food, an extremely popular organic store that uses a bunch of food goods to develop beauty products from head to toe, literally. Just to experiment, I picked up the Green Tea Boots Fresh Spray, Lychee Essence Mist and Cherry Tomato Wax.

Last stop for this weekend is Holika Holika where I picked up a few of their top sellers which includes the Honey Canola Overnight Mask, the White Wine Therapy Sleeping Pack, the Baby Silky Foot Treatment packs, and a face mask with one of the cutest boys ever. Talk about a great marketing tactic!

Stay tuned for the many beauty reviews on these products! I am definitely excited to try them all out and share my hones opinion. Be sure to subscribe to the blog to win the New Year Giveaway which will include a few of these products as well!

New Years - New Giveaway

It is the time of the year where we all have a new start. My new start is with my blog and my life in Korea. I will continue to provide updates of food, beauty, health, and tips over in Korea. However, I would like to do it right for the year 2012. Let's start the year with a giveaway.

Being that I have been living in Korea for the past month and a half, I have been exploring Seoul for its many gadgets and beauty products. This giveaway will include a few of the goodies that I have stumbled upon in Korea which includes the Slim Face Massager, the Missha Pure Source face mask, a few goodies from the Daiso store, as well as a handful of bonuses I have yet to blog about :]

To be qualified for the giveaway, please:

• Reply answering "One thing I love about Korea(ns) is..."
• Follow @cunggie on twitter and 
• Subscribe to this blog publicly by clicking the "Join this site" on the homepage (there may be a malfunction, so please be sure to refresh and ensure that your photo is under the Members section)

Once again, shipping is free and I will ship internationally, good luck! Spread the word to family and friends. Thank you all for the support.

Update: Will be announcing the giveaway winner on February 14th. Good luck!

Food Goods - Lemon

We all know lemon is great for beauty fanatics. It not only helps to slim down weight, but it also helps to promote a healthy body. There are many things that you can do with the handy lemon which calls for you to stock up in your fridge. Lemon is great for Vitamin C intake so if you're low on oranges, swap it for a lemon.

• Daily early morning drink. Mix cold water, honey, and lemon cleanse the body when you wake up. Be sure to drink this on an empty stomach. You can use warm water if you want, but it is not recommended because the heat kills many benefits of lemon and honey. For those who can endure water and lemon directly, it will help you to efficiently detox and lose weight. A whole lemon mixed with a  cup of water is suggested for those who are over 150 pounds and unhealthy, half of a lemon for those who are 150 pounds and healthy. 
• Teeth Whitening. This is by far my favorite and most recommended for both men and women. Simply squeeze the fresh juice from half of a lemon, rub with table salt and baking soda along the teeth. Baking soda is known to help whiten teeth, but lemon gives it that extra boost.
• Smooth skin. For a simple mask, mash an over-ripe banana with fresh lemon juice and apply to the face and hands for clear and smooth skin. There is also the less messy alternative of a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of olive oil, and quarter teaspoon of lemon juice for the hands, elbows, heels and drier areas. I suggest covering up the area for ten minutes with a plastic bag or old pieces of clothing and wash away to reveal beatified skin. 
• Dark spots. There are many areas that women are insecure with when it comes to the body which include underarms, elbows, and dark spots on the face. Simply rub fresh lemon juice on the area for ten minutes and wash away. Over time, the color will gradually lighten. 
• Dandruff treatment. Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon with olive oil and rub it into the scalp. I suggest using a shower cap to soak in the treatment for 15 minutes and follow the regular shampoo and conditioner. 
• Itchy scalp. Mix an egg white and lemon juice, massage into the scalp of your head and soak in the treatment with a shower cap for an hour. Follow with your regular hair wash routine. I suggest to practice this twice a week for a month.
• For those with psoriasis, lemon juice also helps to strengthen the liver enzymes because the liver can make more enzymes from fresh lemon juice than any other food element. Therefore, having half a lemon to a whole lemon a day (depending on your health) will help to clear up your psoriasis. 
• Yellow nails. If you're like me and use nail polish just about daily, the winter colors are probably not so healthy for your nails. Dark colors may turn your nails yellow. Simply brush your nails with lemon juice and baking soda. This will help to lighten the color, not fully revive your natural born color.

Its amazing how the many foods found around the house can help in daily grooming and beauty care. The best thing is the DIY items save a ton of money which adds up when it comes to beauty products. Good luck!