Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I recently began a quest for all the beauty products needed to achieve the youthful, dewy look ever popular in Korea in anticipation of my wedding day. (Yes, I'm an American who watches a lot of Kdramas and became supremely jealous of Kon Joon-He's character in "She Was Pretty.") I've had a fantastic experience with the new skin care regimen: huge reduction in blemishes, almost completely eliminated the pimples!!!--I just get one or two during my period--evened skin tone, and overall a cleaner, softer face. Since it's been so overwhelming to research every step on my own, I'm providing a list of all the winners so far, and in what order of the skin care/makeup routine to use them in. Hopefully this is helpful for anyone who wants to venture into the world of Korean skin care but isn't sure where to start. **Indicates the product in review. 1. Cleanser - The Face Shop: Rice Water Bright Apply this to dry, unwashed skin and gently rub in circles to fully cleanse your face. Works as a makeup remover, but I'd recommend a different product for eye makeup removal. 2. Toner/Refresher - Etude House 10-in-1 House Wonder Pore Freshener Tightens pores, and purifies skin. Apply to a cotton pad or cotton balls and then to face. Let dry. 3. Moisturiser - Skin Food Peach Sake Emulsion** Apply right after the toner sets in to feed your face with some moisture. I love the light, peachy scent and how it really feels like my skin is being nourished, rather than leaving a heavy residue or strong fragrance. The only complain I have with this product is that the fancy bottle it comes in has no pump or tube or any logical way of removing the cream, except to turn it upside-down and smack the bottle into your hand. This was frustrating at first, although it might be designed that way to prevent taking too much at once, since you don't need more than a tiny dollop to cover your entire face. 4. Serum - Skin Food Peach Sake Pore Serum A slightly more concentrated moisturiser to apply after the first. Yes, Koreans have many steps (most of them moisturising ones) in their beauty routine, I've learned. But it really does amazing things to your skin. And once you get the hang of it, applying all these products every night doesn't really take a whole lot of extra time. It also cuts back on my makeup routine in the morning, because when my skin is naturally healthy, clear, and soft, I'd rather show it off than cover it up. ;) 5. Night Cream - Nature Republic Fresh Green Tea NOTE: This particular product is not sold on Amazon. I had to buy it on sale at my local Korean market because I was too scared to order anything over $10 that I wasn't sure about. But you can find any number of night creams here for the final step. I recommend something with green tea or aloe. Just apply at night onto clean, pampered skin, rub it in thoroughly, and sleep on it! Other Cosmetics/Extras I Found Useful/Worth Purchasing: Facial Scrub - Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Use twice a week for a deeper facial cleanse than you regular cleanser. Apply a little, gently exfoliate, leave on, rinse off. If it goes on too thick, use a little water or toner to make it easier to scrub in. CC Cream - Lioele Dollish CC Cera-V** CC Creams are much like BB Creams, (not a cream to match your skin colour, but a transparent foundation/primer) but if my experience with the two I've tried is any indication, CC Creams give more coverage and make the skin look more bright, white, and luminescent, rather than simply evening out the skin tone and providing SPF. Apply with a sponge applicator before any colour foundations. I was using a L'Oreal BB Cream at first, and thought it was fine until someone at the Kmarket gave me the this Loiele Dollish as a sample and I was totally sold after the first use. I LOVE how my skin feels and looks after applying it, and rarely even wear foundation over it because it makes my natural skin look like it's pretty enough! :) It comes out on the sponge in a greyish-white, but once applied, the residue on the sponge turns the colour of skin, and the product on your face just blends in with your own skin tone! It's really lovely, and near magical. Highlighter - Etude House Secret Beam Highlighter #1 Pink & White Mix To be brushed on over foundation in key spots to brighten the face even further. Goes on like a sheer fairy dust--just a bit of sparkle, but not like glitter. This isn't for a Labyrinth Masquerade ball, you know. ;) Face Mist - Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist Face Mist is something you apply whenever you choose, before or after makeup, to keep your face hydrated and fresh throughout the day. I carry a bottle in my purse and spritz a little on whenever I feel my face is tired. :) This particular mist I haven't tried yet, because my order hasn't arrived, but I bought a Nature Republic bamboo mist from my local Korean market, and I love it a lot. Products I Didn't Think Worth the Fuss: Face Masks- These are a huge hit in Korea, and they're fun to wear around the house to get a rise out of family members who think you look creepy. But for me they're too sticky, drippy, and overrated. I prefer the clay masks or avocado masks that you have to wash off after. Expensive Serums, Essence, Bee Toxin... anything over $20 a bottle I passed up. As I've discovered, you can get really great results with just the five things I listed above, and none of them are over $15. Most are under $10.