Spotlight | Innisfree Cushion Primer.

I sure am lucky when it comes to sale events here in Korea. I almost always chance upon good deals whenever I'm here, and last winter was no exception.

When we visited Insadong last December, the Innisfree store in that area had a huge sale - with some of the items being sold at half the price! I went on a shopping spree, of course, and one of the items that I bought was the Innisfree Cushion Primer. This product normally retails for 10000 won (around Php 440 or $9), but I was able to buy this for only 5000 won.

Innisfree Cushion Primer.

From the name itself, this product is to be used as a primer for your cushion to increase its adherence to your skin, thus making your makeup last longer.

Product description at the back of the box.

This hydrating primer also makes the skin texture smooth and flawless as it covers pores and fine lines.

Contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea.

Similarly, it allows for easy application of your cushion/foundation, as if it 'glides' on to your flawless canvas of a skin.

Benefits of the Innisfree Cushion Primer.

It contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea to control excessive sebum, while moisturizing the skin at the same time.

Squeeze tube.

Dispenser tip.

Much like the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer, the Innisfree Cushion Primer comes in a slim and handy 25 mL squeeze tube. The plastic tube is easy to squeeze, and the tip allows you to dispense just the right amount of product.

How the primer looks like.

This colorless primer has a soft and silky texture. It does not feel greasy or sticky, and is easily absorbed by the skin. When applied, it gives the skin some sort of cooling effect, which I find quite refreshing. It also has a light, floral scent which isn't exactly subtle; you might want to take this into consideration if you're olfactory nerves are quite sensitive.

Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

I love this primer's lightweight formula, the silky texture, and how it preps my skin nicely for cushion application. In terms of concealing pores and fine lines, this primer does a fair job of keeping these skin issues at bay. And although the Innisfree Cushion Primer does not have a mattefying effect, it helps control the oil on your face and keeps makeup intact for hours.

Covered the back of my hand with cushion.
Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

Will I repurchase? Yes! Hopefully I chance upon another crazy markdown sale while I'm here this spring! :)

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree Cushion Primer,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: NYC Cheek Glow Powder in West Side Wine.
LIPS: Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick in 707 Peony Red.

Reasons (Other Than Looks) to Get a Nose Job.

Rhinoplasty is often the butt of jokes on sitcoms and gossip TV. However, this procedure isn’t just about appealing to celebrities’ vanity. It can be a practical solution for anyone who isn’t happy with the appearance of his or her nose. Furthermore, it has uses that extend beyond improving a person’s looks.

Trouble Breathing or Chronic Sinus Problems
The most common medical reason to get rhinoplasty may be trouble breathing or chronic sinus problems. If you experience severe allergies or sinus congestion, your problem might be related to anatomical defects within your nose, such as a deviated nasal septum. The nasal septum is the dividing wall that separates the two sides of your nose. When it's crooked or oddly shaped, it can cause breathing problems and related issues.

The rhinoplasty that fixes this problem is called functional rhinoplasty. Your nose may not look any different after the procedure, but you’ll almost certainly notice improvement in your breathing.

Image via Flickr by Joe Dielis.

A Broken Nose
Whether you play sports and had a bad collision or you were in another type of accident, broken noses happen. The damage can affect the way your nose looks and functions. After you break your nose, it’s wise to consult a plastic surgeon as soon as possible; if you have rhinoplasty within two weeks of the accident, the results are likely to be excellent. The surgery can be performed later, though. You might even like your new nose better than your old one.

Many high-quality surgeons may be able to help you get your nose back after an accident. If you live in the Los Angeles area, you should schedule an appointment at Dr. Honrado’s office; he has extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty.

Cleft Lip or Palate
When someone has a cleft lip or palate, that can affect the appearance of the nose. One nostril may be significantly larger than the other, resulting in noticeable asymmetry. Rhinoplasty to repair this deformity might be performed when a child is younger or older, depending on the view of the child’s doctor. Some doctors believe the deformity should be repaired as soon as possible, even before the nose is finished developing. Other surgeons argue that the procedure ought to wait until the child is older.

Other Medical Reasons for Rhinoplasty
A broken nose isn’t the only facial damage that may lead to rhinoplasty. When someone suffers from severe facial burns or broken bones around the eye sockets, these can affect the form and function of the nose. Even a brain tumor, if it's located at the base of the skull, can necessitate rhinoplasty; this is an endoscopic procedure to remove the tumor and can be used whether the tumor is cancerous or benign.

Too many people dismiss rhinoplasty as a procedure that's all about improving appearance. It certainly has the power to boost a person’s self-esteem, but it is often a medically necessary and practical surgery. If you have breathing problems or have suffered damage to your nose or face, you should pay a visit to a local cosmetic surgeon; you’ll be glad you did.

Seoul Searching | 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards + COEX C-Festival!

A few days before we flew back to Korea, Ms. Ana Park of Buhay Korea informed me that the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 3 at the COEX Mall. Most Kdrama and Kpop fans know how important this event is - it's the most prestigious arts awards in South Korea, given to the cast and production staff of TV programs and movies broadcast or shown during the previous year.

I was floored - not only because I will already be in Korea by then, but also because the venue is just a few subway stops away from where we live. I know the route like the palm of my hand!

The nominees of the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.

The 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards experience after the jump!

And yes, it was surreal! :)

Seoul Searching | Jogyesa Temple.

Buddha's birthday is one of the most important holidays in South Korea and is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. It usually falls on the eight day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, and this year, Buddha's birthday is today, May 3rd.

Last year, Yue and I had the chance to experience the festivities of this important Korean holiday during our first visit to Bongeunsa Temple. This year, we chose to visit another Buddhist temple in Seoul - the Jogyesa Temple, located just a few meters away from Insadong.

Iljumun - the one pillar gate of the Jogyesa Temple.

Temple run!

More of Jogyesa Temple after the jump!

Pucker Up! | Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick.

Hello from Seoul!
We're back in South Korea, and here I am, blogging in the comforts of our living room while sipping a warm cup of yujacha (honey citron tea). I've been sneezing like crazy since we arrived yesterday. Spring sniffles, I reckon, so I opted to stay home - and get some writing done - for the time being.

And so today, I'll be featuring one of the few makeup items that I brought along. It's the Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick, which Mum gave to me a few months back.

Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick.

Kiko Milano lipsticks often come in quirky yet classy packaging, and the Luminous Chrome Lipstick is no exception. It comes in a black cardboard box, with the shade number indicated on the top flap.

Ingredients and product details on the side panel.

Shade number 707.

The lipstick itself is housed in an iridescent chrome tube with a metallic pearly pink base. The shade number is indicated on the bottom of the tube.

Shade number.

To open, push the barrel down to release the pink base. Then you pull the barrel to reveal the lipstick. 

Quirky packaging.

There are over 20 shades to choose from in the Luminous Chrome Lipstick line, and this one is shade number 707, otherwise known as Peony Red. It's a brightened berry red shade with a lovely, frosted finish.

#707 Peony Red.

I like its soft and creamy texture, which allows for easy application, and its lightweight, non-drying formula, which makes it very comfortable to wear. It's nicely pigmented, and you get a gorgeous pop of color with just one or two swipes.

Indoor lighting. Swatched once on the left, twice on the right.

Natural light. Swatched once on the left, twice on the right.

Staying power is quite impressive, too. It stays put for about 4 to 5 hours after which the color starts to fade from the center of the lips. For a lipstick that's worth £6.90 (around Php 450 or $8), I'd say this is a good buy - especially for those who are fond of frosted, shimmery lip products.

707 Peony Red when worn.

At present, Kiko Milano is available in 44 countries, including the US and the UK. In Southeast Asia, however, it is only available in Hong Kong. Still hoping that this brand will be available in the Philippines in the near future!

Products Used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: NYC Cheek Glow Powder Blush in West Side Wine.
LIPS: Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick in 707 Peony Red.