Putting All the Steps in Perspective

When I randomly bought a CC cream from the Club Clio warehouse sale, I went searching for my Korean skin tone match (found a great article on the Klog). As I remember from living in Seoul that one summer, Korean foundations, bb creams, cc creams, and cushions (ok, cushions weren't a thing quite I understood yet in 2012), Korean skin tone colors are limited. Usually has a range of three colors: pale, less pale than that, more pale than pale. This is great for me because I do border on the porcelain range. From memory I only remember there being colors 21 and 23.

Bomi-Box, which is an overpriced Korean beauty box subscription, has a great article that really simplifies the whole process in a way that makes it easier to relate to. In essence, they break up what scares off most people: the number of steps. They note that Korean skin care regimes are about three things: clean, treat, and protect. Which is precisely right. This is how an introduction to skin care should go.

They really break it down, easy as pie, with simple explainations and I love it:

Step 1: Clean
1. First cleanser
2. Second cleanser
3. Toner
Step 2: Treat
4. Essence
5. Ampoules, Boosters, Facial Oil
Step 3: Protect
6. Eye Cream
7. Moisturizer
8. Sunscreen 

They define each step, but within the three major movements of clean, treat, and protect. Now, it can't get easier than that. Thank you, Bomi-Box, though I won't be buying your random assortment of products in a box anytime soon, I appreciate the simplicity you have brought to us all, Nameless Author.

Skincare Routine Monthly Check-in: September 1, 2017

Omgosh, it is cold today and feels like a cold wave is hitting us even though it was just August yesterday. Omo, this is bad because my skin, as you can tell from the skincation I had to do earlier last month, does not handle sudden changes well.

In fact, I am still only at 70% of what my skin used to be. Perhaps it's because I'm older and nothing heals as fast as it once used to. My shoulders still have that dirty look because of the slight sunburn I got earlier in the summer.

1. Oil Cleanser: Still haven't really gotten back into that.
2. Water-based Cleanser: Sometimes I use sum37's Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick, especially since we ran out of Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel cleanser. Sometimes I use the Tosowoong Enzyme Powder wash cleanser. Lately I've been using Goodal's Natural Clear Deep Cleansing Gel to Foam because I got it from a Club Clio warehouse sale for $10. It makes my skin feel a bit too clean, but we will see how this goes after another week or two of usage.
3. Son & Park's Beauty Water: I know, I know, I know. I really should be using this with cotton swabs, but... I haven't. Still slapping it (literally) onto my face.
4. Hydrating Toner:  At night sometimes I'll slap some Kikumasamune Moist toner on. But Enprani’s Dear by Enprani Moistfull Booskin on gym days.
5. Serum: Laziness, still. Caudalie if I remember, sheet mask remnants if I remember.
6. Moisturizer: Rosette Aqua Ceramide Gel has been doing the trick during the evenings. Mornings I have used the regular Mizon AIO Snail because we had some left over from the Rome trip. Then there's this new one that's got such an odd consistency, like thick pudding gel that gets watery when you smear it around. Derma Dr. Lab Hydromist Gel Cream is sold at Target for $32, but I got it at the Club Clio warehouse sale for $10. I mean, $10 is around how much I pay for moisturizer anyway, so I decided to give this one a go. Can't tell if I like it yet.
7. Sunscreen: Went back to the BAE Biore SPF, especially since they bottles have changed and I have to get used to the new formula because if I keep the other one around too long, it means it's gotten too old. Tarte's spf 30 on gym days (trying to use up their ultra small glass jar sample).

There have been some more masking, and the last one that I really liked was My Scheming's Milk Extract Brightening mask. It went on so nicely and I woke up with such smooth skin. However, since I was pampering that night, I also had time and slapped on some Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum. Maybe it was the two together, I am not sure.

However, I do know that I have contemplated going vegan and that's going to be very hard on my skincare routine. Too much love for snail mucus, milk extracts, honey, and more.