Korean Skincare Routine for Beginners [Beauty]

- 10 Steps To Glowing Skin -

Want to know how to get glowing youthful looking skin without necessarily having to spend a crazy amount of money on products? Do you love cutesy packaging and soft sweet fragrances? If you are a skincare obsessive like me, you will love the Korean skincare routine. Koreans are renowned for having beautiful skin and their culture places a lot of importance on looking youthful. The Korean skincare market is booming and always seems to be one step ahead when it comes to product innovation, with the Western world usually following suit one or two years later. Usually the trends that spread like wildfire really do work (such as the BB cream and CC cream which originated in Korea & have since gained huge popularity in the West). There is a huge amount of variety when it comes to Korean products and there really is something to suit every skin type. If you are interested in trying out the routine, read on to discover the basic '10 steps' to get you started!

1. OIL CLEANSE: Cleansing is the epitome of any good quality skincare routine and for the Korean skincare routine this is no exception. In fact, it is taken even one step further with the double cleanse! Yes that's right! Two cleanses is apparently better than one and this routine starts off with an oil based cleanser. There are many oil based cleansers on the market these days and lots of Western brands to choose from as well. The oil nourishes the skin, while removing dirt, impurities and makeup, working away at the pores and leaving skin feeling silky smooth. Massage the oil slowly into your skin for best results working in upward motions. [Facial massage is a big part of the Korean skincare routine - it's believed that the increased blood circulation will improve skin elasticity helping you to maintain a youthful appearance.]

Korean brand oil cleanser: Banila Co Clean it Zero, £14.20, 100 ml, Amazon.co.uk,  sokoglam.com (one of the most popular Korean skincare websites that ships to the West)

Western alternative: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil, €29.00, 200 ml, Clinique

Best value for money: L'Oreal Extraordinary Cleansing Oil €7.66, 150 ml, Boots (see http://www.boots.ie/)

2. WATER CLEANSE: the second part of the 2-step cleanse involves a water based cleanser, i.e., a foaming or non foaming cleanser that is applied to the skin & then washed off to remove water based impurities. A thorough cleanse is essential for clear skin and so this part cannot be avoided. You might think that one cleanse is enough but you'd be amazed at how much makeup traces & grime can be left on the skin and in the pores, even after the initial oil cleanse.

Korean water based cleanser: NEOGEN Real Flower Cleansing Water Rose Cleanser, $22, 150 ml, Soko Glam, Amazon 

Western alternative: Purity by Philosophy Facial Cleanser, €24, 236ml, Boots, House of Fraser, Sephora 

Best value for money: Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash, €2.99, 150 ml, Boots 

3. EXFOLIATE: now that you have thoroughly cleansed the skin, it's time to get rid of those dead skin cells that have been building up over time. Exfoliation will help to brighten the skin, deeply cleaning the pores and brightening the surface. This should be done twice a week with the exfoliating scrub of your choice or alternatively you can use a facial brush (such as the Clarisonic) or an exfoliating mask, such as Skinfood's Exfoliating Black Sugar Mask.

Korean exfoliator: Skinfood Rice Brightening Scrub, $14, Soko Glam 

Western alternative: Antipodes Reincarnation Facial exfoliator, €25, 75ml, Health food stores

Best value for money: Johnson's Face Care Daily Essentials Gentle Exfoliating Wash, €4.29, 150ml, Boots

4. TONER: now that you have sloughed away those dead skin cells, it's time to pamper your skin with a refreshing and hydrating toner. The difference between the standard Western toner and the Korean equivalent is that it is much more hydrating and will not typically contain disinfecting ingredients such as tea tree oil or alcohol. Korean toners opt instead for anti-ageing and moisturising ingredients such as lactic acid and snail secretion filtrate (yes you heard me right! Koreans swear by snail 'slime' as a revolutionary ingredient that supposedly turns back the clock!) These toners work to hydrate and refresh your skin leaving it soft and supple. 

Korean toner: MISSHA Time Revolution Clear Toner, €28, 250 ml, Soko Glam

Western alternative: Caudalie Moisturising Toning Lotion, €14.40, 200 ml, Selected Pharmacies

Best value for money: ❤ La Roche Posay Serozinc Toner, €11, 150 ml, Boots ❤

                                   

5. ESSENCE: now that you have begun to rehydrate the skin, it's time to continue that process with an essence. What's an essence I hear you ask! This clever beauty water is packed with hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients and is considered the most important step in the Korean skincare routine. It apparently preps the skin for the final stages of the regime by speeding up your cell turnover making the skin brighter and smoother. I love using an essence and have really noticed a difference in my skin since adding in this simple step. 

Korean essence: MISSHA Time Revolution First Treatment Essence, $49.00, 150 ml, Soko Glam

Western alternative: ❤ Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Essence Treatment, €40, 200 ml, Kiehl's stores ❤

Best value for money: L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age Glow Re-Activating Essence, €13.99, 125 ml, Boots

[Optional step] Ampoules: an ampoule comes from the same 'family' as the essence and is basically the same thing but with a higher concentration of active ingredients. This will further rehydrate your worn out skin, giving it the moisture surge it needs to restore itself. These usually come with a dropper and are to be used whenever you need a little extra help (normally once or twice a week). 

Korean ampoule: LJH Vita Propolis Ampoule, $38, 15 ml, GlowRecipe.com.

Western alternative: Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Concentrate Boosters (pack of 3), $58, 15 ml each, Sephora.

Best value for money: Propolis Sparkle Ampoule, $29, 100 ml, peachandlily.com

6. The Sheet Mask: this is a fabric mask (usually made from cotton) which is placed over the skin for 10-20 minutes. The sheet mask is again different to typical Western face masks due to its intensive hydrating properties. Anti-aging ingredients such as collagen and hyaluronic acid are common and will absorb into the skin deeply during this time. There is no need to wash the face afterwards, simply pat the product into the skin with your fingertips and leave it to absorb. Use once or twice a week depending on the dryness of your skin.

Korean sheet mask: SKINFOOD Hydro Fitting Snail Sheet Mask, $13.50, set of 5, Soko Glam.

Western alternative: Sephora Collection Orchid Anti-Aging Face Mask, $6, 1 x 22g, Sephora.

Best value for money: Mizon Enjoy Vital Up Time Watery Moisture Mask, €2.00, 1 x 23 ml, Peauxdanges.com.

7. SERUM: another layer of hydration won't do any harm! For dry skin it is apparently best to apply many thin layers of deeply moisturising ingredients rather than one thick layer. This will help to nourish skin without leaving it greasy looking. There are many serums on the Western skincare market these days so there is plenty to choose from.

Korean serum: Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum, $23, 35 ml, Soko Glam.

Western alternative: ❤ Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum, €60, 30 ml, Liz Earle. ❤

Best value for money: Botanics Radiant Youth Serum, €6.99, 30 ml, Boots.

8. EYE CREAM: the skin around the eye area is very fragile and is thinner than the rest of the face so it needs some extra love and attention. In order to prevent premature ageing, it is essential to moisturise the delicate eye area with a concentrated eye cream. Pat gently (rather than rub) the cream into the under eye area, as well as the eyelids using a pea sized amount. 

Korean brand: Banila Co Radiant Brightening Eye Cream, $17.50, 20 ml, Soko Glam.

Western alternative: Vitamin E Eye Cream, €16, 15 ml, The Body Shop.

Best value for money: Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Eye Cream, €6.19, 15 ml, Boots. 

9. MOISTURISE: we are nearly there don't worry! This is actually the last step of the night-time skin care routine and consists of applying a plain and simple moisturiser. I know you're probably getting tired at this stage but once you have applied that last layer your skin will feel so much softer and you will finally be ready for bed. Massage all over, paying attention to the neck and décolleté as well.

Korean brand: Whamisa Organic Flowers Water Cream, €40.50, 50 ml, peauxdanges.com.

Western alternative: ❤ Bioderma Hydrabio, €16.50, 40 ml, Selected Pharmacies. ❤

Best value for money: ❤ Tony Moly Cold Water Cream, €22, 200 ml, Sephora. ❤  

                             

10. SPF: this is the last step I swear! And it  should not be avoided if you want to keep your skin healthy and wrinkle free for as long as possible - a good quality SPF. My all time favourite SPF, which I mentioned in my recent post 'Summer Favourites 2016', happens to be a Korean brand and it is HOLY GRAIL status!! I love this stuff! It sinks into the skin quickly, almost like a regular moisturiser, and doesn't leave that pasty residue that every Western brand of SPF seems to have. Look for a high SPF (minimum Factor 30) and apply it every single day rain or shine. The key to Korean skincare? Consistency. If you want beautiful skin, do not neglect it and have fun (I mean, as much fun as you can have applying ten layers of product...) 

Korean SPF: ❤ MISSHA Safe Block SPF 45, €7 (approximately), 50 ml, Amazon UK. ❤

Western alternative: Vitamin E Day Lotion SPF 30, €18, 50 ml, The Body Shop.

Best value for money: Nivea Sun Pocket Size SPF 30, 50 ml, Boots. 

[Products marked with a ❤ are ones that I really love and recommend!]

Summer 2016 Beauty Favourites [Beauty & Lifestyle]

The hot weather, the salty sea water, jetting off on holidays to experience somewhere new and exciting (what's not to like about summer?!) It has always been my favourite season and just another excuse for a product obsessive like myself to splash out on more skincare and hair care bits and bobs (good quality SPF, moisturising after sun, hair masks and lip balms...I go to town at this time of year!) Out of all the things I have tried over the summer months, here is a list of some of the things I have been loving for summer time and beyond!

Body scrub: Grounded Coconut Body Scrub. If you are looking for a scrub that leaves your skin feeling as soft as a newborn's bottom then this is your answer! I had seen scrubs similar to this one being advertised all over Instragram from various different companies such as 'Frank' and 'Rub n Scrub' but  I eventually stumbled across this one on sale in Boots and decided to give it a try. It's on the expensive side (at around €20 at full price) but definitely worth spending extra on for its natural ingredients and excellent skin softening results. The coffee, brown sugar and Himalayan rock salt combine to leave the skin feeling beautifully smooth while the sweet almond oil, vitamin E and coconut oil help to soften and deeply hydrate. Prepare to get messy as this is a coffee scrub! I was very impressed and will most definitely be repurchasing this (next on my list to try is the chocolate orange scent which sounds delicious).

Conditioner: Klorane Conditioning Balm with Mango Butter. Carrying on with the tropical theme, first coconuts, now mangos! This conditioner has been a favourite of mine for some time now (I think this is my third or fourth bottle) and I'm so glad I bought it. It leaves my hair feeling silky and shiny, all the while smelling of mango, which is one of my all time favourite fruit scents. If you have dry hair you will love this as it deeply conditions but at the same time washes out easily and doesn't leave that horrible greasy/sticky feeling that some heavy duty conditioners do. This is the ideal cure for dried out hair that needs a little extra hydration and shine.

Serum: Liz Earle Super Skin Serum. What can I say, this is without a doubt THE most lovely serum I have ever used. Once again, Liz Earle proves itself as an excellent skincare brand. I cannot imagine anyone not liking this serum, it sinks into the skin quickly, without leaving any greasy residue and it contains lots of lovely anti-aging natural ingredients. It has a light, buttery scent, nothing too strong and feels luxurious on the skin after a long day. My skin drinks this stuff up! The only downside is that at €60 for a 30 ml container, it isn't exactly the best value for money and it won't last you all that long if you use it every day. That being said, if you are looking for a skin treat that is worth the splurge, I highly recommend this.

Lip treatment: Blistex Relief Cream. I think you might be noticing another theme here, I am all about the hydrating products when it comes to summer time! But I feel like the hotter weather can really dry out skin, hair and lips when not using the right products. This is my number one lip treatment that effectively puts all of the lost moisture back into your lips. Let's be honest the packaging is not all that appealing, it looks like a cream that you would use on your foot rather than your face, but don't let that put you off as the results are amazing. It's a medicated cream that really works, leaving the most dry chapped lips feeling soft. It does however leave a thin white residue when applied so I wouldn't recommend this as an on-the-go lip product but rather for a night time/not leaving the house kind of situation. Available in chemists for around €5, you can't go wrong with this one. 

Suncream for under makeup: Missha Safe Block Factor 45. Out of all the products on this list, I have to say this is probably my absolute favourite as I've been searching for the perfect sun cream for a long time to no avail. I am so happy I discovered this, my now holy grail everyday sun cream. It absorbs into the skin quickly, unlike a lot of other sun creams which can be difficult to blend, and best of all it doesn't leave that pasty white residue like most SPFs. I have oily combination skin and it does not leave my skin feeling like an oil slick. Ideal for underneath makeup. It has a light lemony scent. Plus it helps that the packaging is the cutest thing ever! This is a Korean brand and is very affordable at around £7 on Amazon. As it ships from Asia, prepare to wait around 2 weeks for delivery to Europe. I highly recommend for summertime and an all year round SPF and I will be ordering this in bulk from now on!

Lipstick: Frog Prince by Lipstick Queen. "Things aren't always what they seem. Sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince!" Poppy King, Lipstick Queen Founder. I got this lipstick as a birthday present and was surprised to find when I opened the pink tube that it was in fact GREEN! I know what you're thinking, green lips are so not on trend right now...don't worry though, as Frog Prince is designed to react with your lips and to create your perfect pink colour. I have no idea how this works but I really like the warm rosy pink tone (think your lips but better). It also contains moisturizing Shea butter and vitamin E for soft kissable lips (just don't go kissing too many frogs...)

Bronzer: Nars Laguna. I FINALLY jumped on the bandwagon with this one (approximately 6 years later) and I have to say this definitely lives up to the hype. This is the first Nars product I've ever bought and I just know I'll be repurchasing this one. It's the perfect bronze, dark enough to be noticed, leaving that chiseled cheek bone effect, but not too dark that it looks like you've slathered mud on your face. It's the perfect matte bronze to add a healthy glow to your face for summer days (well technically it's now autumn but I'm still in summer mode as the weather is still nice where I live!).

Primer: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer. Last but not least, another product that I had been vowing to try for some time but never got around to purchasing is the Benefit POREfessional primer. Many of you have probably already tried this one, it being somewhat of a cult beauty product that gets a lot of rave reviews on the Sephora website. I picked up the trial size to bring with me on holidays and wasn't disappointed. It instantly reduced the size of any visible pores and left me with a smooth base to work with before applying makeup. My foundation and eyeshadow noticeably blend a lot better with the help of this primer and I don't get too much of that sticky feeling which a lot of primers fall down on for me (it's a little sticky yes, but not as much as others). I think I will have to pick up the full size version of this one as I really liked how it made my makeup glide on so well.