Seoul Searching | Changdeokgung Palace.

Holidays in South Korea are usually very festive, as most tourist attractions come up with fun and interesting events to celebrate the occasion, or offer special discounts for both tourists and locals alike, If you're lucky, you might come across 'Free Admission' promos, such as the one that the four traditional palaces offered during the long weekend (May 5-8).

I wouldn't pass up on this great opportunity, so Yue and I trooped to Changdeokgung Palace last Saturday - along with about a thousand or more eager beavers (ergo, tourists).

If you see this sign, then you have walked to the right place.

One of the most well-preserved traditional palaces in the country, Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 by King Taejong, the third ruler of Joseon. (He's also known as Yi Bang Won, the character portrayed by Yoo Ah In in the sageuk 'Six Flying Dragons'.)

Changdeokgung Palace: an introduction.

Like the other palaces in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace was also burnt down during the Japanese invasion in 1592. It was rebuilt about 18 years later, and since then, it has become the primary palace until the late 1800s. In 1997, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea, together with the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.

Free Admission Day!
Secret Garden not included, though.

Behold the beauty of Changdeokgung Palace! More photos after the jump!

Spotlight | Majolica Majorca The Little Humming Book I.

After about a month or so of sitting in my makeup box, (I've been too lazy to do/wear full makeup since summer began) I finally had the chance to play with my newest palette - Majolica Majorca's The Little Humming Book I. Bought this at SM Makati together with the Skin Lingerie Pore Cover, which I've featured in this post.

The Little Humming Book I.

The Little Humming Book is a series of limited edition palettes released in celebration of Majolica Majorca's 10th Anniversary. The Little Humming Book I is the first from the series (obviously), and it comes in a lovely little 'song book'.

Inside the Little Humming Book I.

Although I had no intention of buying a new palette that day, (I wanted to at least use up my Urban Decay Ammo before getting a new one) I ended up paying Php 995 (approx $25) for this at the counter anyway. Lol. Talk about low EQ, haha!

But tell me, makeup junkies, can you resist something as quaint and lovely as this? The packaging alone was enough reason for me to buy as it reminded me greatly of one of my favorite Korean dramas - Secret Garden. 

Flip through the pages...

But wait 'til you see what's inside. Contained in this 'song book' are four stunning colors - two eyeshadows, one eye cream base, and one lip gloss.

Oh, Little Humming Book I... why you so pretty? :)

Moonless Night is a cream-based primer that comes in a blackish plum color. It's the perfect base for creating a smokey eye, and in my opinion, gives this palette that 'ooomph' - if you know what I mean. :)

Swatches, no flash.
Clockwise from top left: Flower Dust, Green Shower, Tulip Red, and Moonless Night.

Flower Dust and Green Shower are pale duochrome eyeshadows with metallic finish. Both shades look luminous and sparkly when used alone, but are absolutely gorgeous when worn with the primer. Tulip Red, on the other hand, is a light pink (not red, lol) lip gloss.

Swatches, with flash.

Here's the Little Humming Book I in action - Green Shower applied on my inner lid, blended with Flower Dust on my above crease. Moonless Night on my outer lid and outer crease. Tulip Red is the pinkish part on my gradient lips. :)

The Humming Book I in action! :)

What I love:

- Cute, one-of-a-kind packaging.

- Lovely colors.

- Very fine shimmers on the eyeshadows.

- No fall-out.

- No creasing.

- The duochrome eyeshadows combined with the eye cream base 

create a stunning, pearl finish.

- Reasonably priced at Php 995.

- Available locally.

What you might not like:

- The lip gloss looks great on the pan, but it actually lacks pigmentation 

and doesn't look good on its own. 

(Hence the gradient lips in my FOTD.)

Now I can't wait for The Little Humming Book II! I heard they're already out in the market, and I must have one! There goes my EQ again - out the window, haha!