Sneak Peek | Missha x Line Friends On Air Collection.

Back in 2016, Korean beauty brand Missha teamed up with Line Friends (from the popular messaging app Line) and launched the Missha x Line Friends collection, which was made available to the Korean and overseas market for a limited time. This collaboration was one of my favorites for that year, and perhaps the cutest collection that Missha has ever released.

This year, the two brands joined forces once again for another wave of cuteness. Behold, the Missha x Line Friends On Air collection!

Missha x Line Friends On Air collection.

View the complete collection after the jump!

Seoul Searching | BT21 at Line Friends Store.

While walking along the streets of Hongdae, Yue and I came across a group of girls holding cute character balloons in their hands. Recognizing the characters right away, Yue gasped, "Mommy, it's BT21!!!" BT21 is a line of animated characters created by Kpop group BTS, in collaboration with Line Friends.

Just then, another group of girls - mostly foreigners this time - showed up, also with BT21 balloons in tow. "Where did they get those balloons?" I wondered, almost on the verge of asking one of the girls that we ran into. Before I could even unravel the mystery, Yue already figured it out, pointing at the huge Line Friends Store across the street.

Line Friends Store in Hongdae.

Almost every individual that walked out of the store had a BT21 balloon, and Yue wanted one for himself. Well, I wanted one, too - never mind if I'm already an ahjumma who's already in her late 30's. Lol.

BT21, the brain child of BTS in collaboration with Line Friends.

As we entered the store, I asked one of the staff how can I avail of the balloon. "Just buy anything, and we'll give you a balloon," he said. "Anything? Even a small item like that?" I asked, pointing to a Brown hair tie worth 5000 won. "Yes, anything!" he said with a smile. And with that, we made our way to the second floor to check out the BT21 goods.

Cute and cuddly pillows.

The BT21 characters were officially introduced in September last year, but it wasn't until December when Line Friends started selling BT21 merchandise. They were such a huge hit among BTS fans, that not even freezing winter temperatures could stop them from lining up in front of the Line Friends store to get their hands on BT21 items.

Yue with the BT21 gang!

He's standing beside his favorite character, Chimmy.

Thankfully, there was no pandemonium of that sort when we visited, nor did we have to fall in line to enter the store. Sure, the place was still crowded with shoppers (and I reckon most of them are BTS fans) but Yue and I were able to look around and take photos without a hitch.

Yue wanted them all, but baggage allowance does not permit, lol.

Kooky, Chimmy, and Mang.

RJ the alpaca.

Plushies!

Prices for the BT21 merchandise range from 2500 won to 55000 won. Plastic folders printed with BT21 characters were the cheapest, while black hooded sweatshirts with patches of Tata, Cooky, and Shooky were the most expensive. As far as I'm concerned, these items are still within the affordable price range, and if you're a hardcore BTS fan, the price really wouldn't matter anyway. Haha.

Passport cases, 12000 won each.

Tata is my favorite, because this represents V. :)

Yue and I finally settled on getting a gel pen, because that's the only thing we had a need for at that moment. Surprisingly, the staff gave us two balloons even if the Cooky pen that I bought (Tata was out of stock) only costs 3000 won!

En route to Digital Media City. Yes, we went all the way to DMC with those balloons, lol.

A few weeks later, we visited the Line Friends Store and Cafe in Itaewon. We were in the neighborhood to pick up the husband's sneakers at the Under Armour store and I asked the boys if we could swing by Line Friends because I wanted to see the cafe, which the Hongdae store did not have.

Line Friends Store and Cafe in Itaewon.

The cafe is located in the third floor, and their menu now includes BT21 drinks and desserts such as Chimmy's Pineapple Smoothie and Tata's Berry Sundae. We didn't get to try them though, as the place was packed (we went on a Sunday) and we wanted to eat at Dairy Queen anyway.

BT21 drinks and desserts.

The stairs leading to the third floor.

If you're a BTS fan, you'll find the Itaewon flagship store a lot more interesting since they have BTS memorabilia on display. For instance, these sketches of Koya by his creator, RM.

Koya by RM (also known as Kim Nam Joon).

And the statue of Space Robot Van, signed by all BTS members.

Signed statue of Space Robot Van.

In addition, the Itaewon store has more photo zones and carries more BT21 merchandise than its Hongdae counterpart. Now if you're an ARMY, I'm sure you won't leave either store empty-handed. We left Itaewon with another BT21 gel pen, lol.

Still no luck with Tata, huhu.

To get to the Hongdae Line Friends Store, take Hongik University Station (Line 2), exit 2.
To get to the Itaewon Line Friends Store and Cafe, take Itaewon Station (Line 6), exit 3.

Seoul Searching | Highlights of my Spring/Summer 2018 Trip.

I've finally unpacked everything from my luggage, sorted out my K-beauty haul, and transferred more than a thousand photos from my phone to my hard drive. It's been two weeks since we returned to the Philippines and now I can finally say that we've settled back in!

That being said, it's back to the daily grind for me, and I'm just about ready to blog about all of the places that we've been to and all the food that we had in this year's Seoul Searching trip. But first, let me share with you some snippets of our Korean adventure:

Meeting Edward Avila... and sitting next to him on the plane!
K-beauty vlogger Edward Avila was in Manila last May for a Meet and Greet organized by Club Clio Philippines. The event was scheduled the day before our flight to Korea, making it impossible for me to attend much as I wanted to. As I watched live videos of the event on Clio's Instagram, I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could chance upon Edward at the airport if he happens to be flying back to Korea on the same day that we were.

I got more than I wished for because lo and behold, as I was fastening Yue's seatbelt, a guy with silver purple ombre hair peeking out of his black baseball cap took the seat beside mine on the plane. I knew right then and there who he was.

Flying all the way to Incheon with THE Edward Avila.
AirAsia Premium Flex seats are the best seats in the house!

"Edward?" I asked, stifling the urge to scream.
"Yes?" he replied.
And I was like, "Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod, it's really you!"
And then I started gushing about how sad I was that I couldn't make it to his event and how lucky I am to actually be flying all the way to Incheon with one of my favorite vloggers! Edward was very friendly and congenial, and we chatted for the most part of the flight - well, at least during the times when we were both awake. We even took photos together, even if I look like I haven't slept for a week, haha!

Catching-up with friends.
My childhood friend Ela and her partner Maan were in Korea for a few days, and I made it a point to meet up with them - because reunions are more fun in Korea, lol.

Samgyeopsal with Ela and Maan.

I went to Hongdae where the girls were staying, and we had a hearty meal of samgyeopsal at one of the local restaurants in the area, capped off with the best churros in the world for dessert.

Customary photo with Brown, this time in Hongdae!

We also did a bit of shopping - well, more like pimple patch hunting since Ela wanted to try those popular pimple patches. As such, we went searching for the ALand branch in Hongdae, because I know for a fact that COSRx products are sold in ALand stores. Ela loved the COSRx Pimple Patch so much that she regrets not buying more even when I told her to, lol.

Bonding with family.
Despite their busy schedule, Kuya JR (my husband's cousin) and his wife Youngsook unni took the time to spend the day with us, one fine Sunday in June. We had barbecue and soju at our favorite buffet restaurant, Meat-ing, as a celebration of sorts - post-anniversary celebration for us, and advance birthday celebration for Youngsook unni.

The boys. :)

Chill Sunday with Kuya JR and Youngsook unni.

Then we enjoyed the Seoul sunshine by exploring Kondae Rodeo, shopping for sneakers, and having coffee at Holly's.

Celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary.

Would you believe that for the past nine years, the husband and I have never celebrated our anniversary together? This is the main reason why I wanted to be in Korea in June - so that we can finally celebrate our anniversary together, in one country, under one roof. It's our tenth year of marriage, after all, and our fifteenth year as a couple. 

Mocha Cream Cake from Paris Baguette.

Our anniversary fell on a weekday so we only had a simple celebration at home with some pasta (which I cooked), a bit of wine, and a lovely cream cake that the husband bought at the nearby Paris Baguette. But on the Sunday a few days ahead of our anniversary, we did celebrate the occasion by hearing mass at Hyehwa Catholic Church and having lunch at Yoogane - because no trip to Korea would be complete without enjoying my all-time favorite dak galbi.

Celebrating Father's Day.

Similarly, this was our first time to celebrate Father's Day together. I wanted this day to be extra special for the husband so I went the extra mile to get him the Curry 5 sneakers in the colorway that he wanted. 

Shopping for sneakers at the Under Armour flagship store in Itaewon.

My boys who love 'sole searching'. :)

Many thanks to the staff of Under Armour Garosugil and Under Armour Itaewon for the excellent customer service! You guys are daebak! (You can read the full story on this Instagram post.)

Feeling the football fever.
It sure felt different to watch the World Cup in a country that's actually playing in the World Cup, and I was so glad to still be in Korea during their first two group stage matches. The entire country was in a very festive mood during that time, especially in the evenings when cheering parties were held in open spaces such as Gwanghwamun Square, City Hall, and the COEX Convention Center.

Street cheering/viewing party at Gwanghwamun Plaza. Photo credit: Korea Times.

K-Stadium at Lotte World Mall.

BTS x Coca Cola World Cup pop-up at COEX Mall.

Although it was sad that Korea's World Cup dreams ended in the group stage, they did bag the honor of being the only Asian country to beat Germany, champions of the 2014 World Cup.

As for me, Korea bags the honor of being the country that I have traveled to the most (five times in total), and I will never grow tired of visiting this country again and again. If only we could live here permanently, I would pack my bags and go even at a moment's notice!

Spotlight | Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion.

Much as I love BB creams and BB cushions, I have actually been shying away from them for quite some time now. You see, the past few months have been unbearably hot and humid here in the tropics, and mattifying powders have become my new best friend.

But now that Christmas is nearing, the days have become progressively cooler and thankfully, more makeup-friendly. That being said, I finally had the chance to use my Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion, which I brought home from my spring trip to South Korea.

Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion.

If you remember my earlier post about the Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara, Missha released two editions of this makeup collaboration with Line Friends. The Magic Cushion was included in both editions; however, there is a difference between the contents of Magic Cushion box.

Inside the box - the Magic Cushion pact, Magic Cushion refill, and two air puff sponges.

While the first edition had one air puff sponge and two refills of the Magic Cushion, the second edition includes two air puff sponges but only one refill of the Magic Cushion. Mine is from the sophomore release, as you can see. Both editions sold for 11000 won, but you actually get more value for money with the first edition since it comes with two refills.

The air puff sponge.

The Magic Cushion is housed in a cute, brown - albeit made with plastic - compact printed with Brown's face. The compact has a built-in mirror and a flip-out tray which holds the sponge and acts as a moisture seal; its edges are slightly curved which makes for a comfortable grip.

Sealed for protection.

When I got hooked to this Korean cosmetics craze, Missha was the first BB cream brand that I tried. I fell in love with their BB creams in a heartbeat, with their excellent coverage, impressive staying power, and nice, powdery finish. The Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion does not disappoint, and lives up to par with my expectations.

The cushion itself.

The cushion looks quite 'juicy' from the get-go. Its texture is a tad watery and feels 'wet' when applied. It does not feel sticky and settles into a semi-matte, slightly dewy finish. The air puff sponge also picks up a great amount of product and does fine with blending and application. It also feels soft and gentle as it glides on the skin - does not feel rubbery at all!

Shade #23.

One thing I noticed about the Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion is the shade. They seem to be lighter than the usual, so instead of my usual shade #21, I settled for the darker shade #23.

Shade #23 swatched.

Left without BB Cushion, right with BB Cushion.

Left without BB Cushion, right with BB Cushion.

When swatched, it appears light - perhaps too light for my skin. But when blended, the cushion adjusted nicely to my skin tone, and looked very natural with just the right amount of glow on the skin.

Bare-face.

As for the staying power, it lasts for a decent 4-5 hours, and requires minimum touch-ups. It feels light on the skin, and does not cake or patch after a few hours of wear.

Magic Cushion when worn.

The Magic Cushion is suitable for most skin types, but for those with oily skin, I suggest you wear a primer underneath to maximize the product's staying power.

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion #23.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
The Face Shop Ink Graffi Brush Liner in Black,
Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Sexy Nude.

Have you tried this cushion before? What's your favorite BB cushion? :)

Spotlight | Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.

Earlier this year, Korean beauty brand Missha teamed up with popular messaging service Line and launched the limited edition Missha x Line Friends makeup line. Their first makeup collaboration, released in January, hit all the right notes and was well-received by consumers. This popularity paved the way for a sequel, and the second season of Missha x Line Friends was launched last March.

Being a sucker for makeup collaborations and a fan of these adorable Line Friends characters, I made it a point to shop for these Missha x Line Friends makeup while I was in Seoul. I got myself a tube of the Flower Bouquet Cleansing Foam, the Magic Cushion (will blog about this later), and this 4D Mascara. 

Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.

While I had no problems in getting the first two items, purchasing this mascara proved to be a challenge. The Missha counter at the nearby eMart no longer had this mascara in stock, and so did three of the Missha stores in Myeongdong. Thankfully, one Missha store in the area still had this and the 3D Mascara on display. I bought one of each, and sent the 3D Mascara to my Mum.

Sally 3D Mascara and Brown 4D Mascara.

The 3D Mascara represents Sally the Duck (hence, yellow), while the 4D Mascara represents Brown the Bear. Their packaging is super cute from the get-go, and really, I'd buy this product for the packaging alone. Haha!

Mostly Hangul text written on the tube.

So what's the difference between the two mascaras, you might ask. The 3D Mascara, in case you're wondering, is formulated to lengthen the lashes; the 4D Mascara, on the other hand, has a volumizing effect.

Take note of the 6-month shelf life once you open your tube of mascara.

Printed in black is the mascara's manufacturing date.

Their applicators are shaped differently too, as seen in this illustration. The 3D Mascara has a triangular-shaped applicator, while the 4D Mascara is a square.

3D Mascara vs 4D Mascara.

Here's a closer look at the 4D Mascara's brush and wand.

The wand...

And the brush.

The brush has thick and dense bristles which bolsters and thickens the lashes for more volume.

A closer look at the brush.

Now here's the mascara in action.

Excuse the bare face.

And the even barren eyebrows, lol.

I do have naturally long lashes, and I thank my parents for that, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to add a little more volume to these peepers. :)

With the Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.

This mascara does it job, alright. With just one coat, my eyelashes look thicker and fuller, and a tad longer too. I love how this mascara is highly-pigmented, has no funky, chemical smell, and defines the lashes naturally. It doesn't clump or flake, and can hold up a curl. (Tip from www.eyelash-growth.com: Apply a thicker coat of mascara at the root of your lashes and a lighter one towards the ends. This way, you can keep your lashes curled longer throughout the day). 

Hello, thicker lashes! :)

I also love that it's smudge-proof and waterproof, and can pretty much withstand all that sweating in this hot and humid weather. Oh, and this mascara is reasonably-priced, too. (Or should I say 'was' because this collection has already been discontinued?) I bought mine for just 3300 a won (around Php 140) a pop. Surprisingly cheap, considering that it's a product by Missha. :)