Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This book has been a surprise gem for me. I've always loved makeup colors and looks, but then tended to be very low maintenance, personally. However, I recently decided I was going to put a touch more effort into "me" time, starting with the purchase of a Clarisonic and some other skin care goodies. I saw this book cited in a magazine article where the author's portrait showcased her RADIANT complexion. She seriously glowed in this fantastic non-makeup looking way. I decided to buy the book and dove right in to the author's world of Korean skin care. Although there are definitely moments where I wish the author went more in-depth, or things were outlined perfectly clearly, I know from experience that food, health and beauty is never "one size fits all". So, instead I allowed myself to enjoy getting carried away to another world I had never really considered before: Seoul. The author's wonderful description of the people, city, food and culture made me want to sign up for a trip instead of just a new beauty regimen... and the plane tickets sure are cheaper than going to Europe. *fidget-fidget* Well, since I don't know a lick of Korean and now isn't a good time for a trip, I used the inspiration and suggestions from this book to pick up an assortment of (freaking seriously adorable!!) beauty products from Amazon. She does have a cute little website, and I was considering supporting her until I saw the huge array of offerings on Amazon-- and I am sorry, but I am spoiled by Amazon Prime! Search for: Tonymoly, Etude, Too Cool for School-- and others! I have to say that with the authors suggestions I felt the confidence trying things out, when I may have been more worried before reading this book if the products were legit. And, wow!, is she right-- Korean beauty products are mostly beyond adorable (think pandas, dinosaurs, puppies, fruit with faces and so many colors!) and mostly really frugally priced. Many things are under $10 and pretty much all are under $20. For under $150 I was able to pick up the most adorable hairband with kitty ears to hold back my hair while I give myself my daily "spa time", a hairband that is a fuzzy bow with dots, an awesome-sounding oil cleanser, water cleansers that look like eggs in an egg carton, pore cleaning strips that look like strawberries, brightening mask that looks like a tomato, a whole set of paper masks with cute wrappers that do different things, a huge set of lip glosses that look like bunnies, a cushion compact in my super pale skin tone, a triple set of blotting papers with a box that has dinosaurs walking through the city on the cover, and a light powder that looks like a smiling kitty (I know it's not dewy but I have very oily skin! It's for my t-zone only!). I also was lured into getting these little foam strawberry hair curlers... and a couple things doubled up for Christmas presents. Tiny, cute and frugal? What great qualities for stocking stuffers! Thanks to this not-so little book I feel like I have not only been opened up to a huge new world of affordable and adorable beauty products, but also to the thought of really enjoying my "me" time. I have been attempting to begin treating my skin as I will when I have all my new goodies and just the mindset has me feeling and looking better than ever. I am so excited for the goodies to arrive, I actually want to *Squee!* out loud, and be assured I will review each item as it arrives and I try it out. A warm-fuzzy thanks to Charlotte Cho! Maybe someday I will get to visit Seoul, have Korean BBQ, soju and a fun shopping spree! Until then there are animal-shaped face mists! :D UPDATE: 11/25/2015 A bunch of my goodies have already arrived (TY Amazon Prime!) and I am blown away by the packaging and how effective so many things have been even upon first use. Also I have marveled at how nice the other products, like the essency masks, have felt (which I hope to have positive cumulative effects!) that I will be rereading this book to look for more of her "favorites" to try down the line. After going through a "more-multi than I am used to"- step program this evening, with a double cleanse and a mask and some treatments... my skin looked amazing. Literally the best I can remember it looking post-puberty. Even my dear exasperated boyfriend said, "YES! I can see your glowing and poreless skin from here!! No I am not coming in there to stare at your nose!" :P Again, Thank you Charlotte Cho! :D UPDATE: 01/04/2015 I've been using methods and products suggested or influenced by having read this book for a couple months now and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. My one-time, clogged, blemish-prone, sensitive, starting to show tiny signs of aging, skin has been looking nicer and nicer. And I've been spending a fortune on product after product, looking for results without burning my face off, for decades now. The products I've found because of the influence of reading this book have given me my best skin since I was a pre-teen. Plus, I am enjoying it as "me" time, complete with cat ears headbands to hold my hair out of my face while I wear sheet masks and use products that come in panda bear-shaped tubes. I feel giddy sometimes at the whole experience- feeling fresh and pretty as well as having fun and enjoying myself. Oh, and though there are a lot of products I have gotten, some of which I have reviewed already, too-- if you have similar skin you may like "Mizon Snail" and "Skin Food Peach" products, in particular. Both of which you will find reviewed in my profile. I hope this helps and I wish you lots of luck with your skin care program! :-)