Fair warning, guys, I am OBSESSED with the choreography for this song at the moment. I really love BTS's agressive sound and think they're really talented in spite of their young age. However, they still seem really young to me...know what I mean? Like, when I see all their career outfits in the MV, I'm thinking "Aw, cute! They're cosplaying as grown ups!" instead of feeling the male stripper vibe I think the studio was going for. Despite their adorable faves, BTS always turns out really fierce performances that give them the manly aura they need. I wrote an article on them back when they ddebuted I'll have to link...
As for the looks from the MV, they were mostly based on different occupations: pilot, police officer (Kookie was too cute), office worker, etc. the looks I chose are based on their group outfits in the live performances. Let's take a look, clockwise from the left:
BTS fan bracelets to show your ARMY pride ^^
This AMAZING navy Moschino blazer with gold trim is evocative of their military style jackets from the Music Core comeback.
Dior Addict Lip Glow to give your lips that subtle rosy gloss that goes well with a menswear inspired look (some of the boys may or may not have been wearing it in the MV kkkk).
A plain white tee, because after watching so many of their dance practice vids, that's just a look I associate BTS with.
Black leather pants (imitation is better) because they looked great with the jacket in the live performance!
Heeled black lace-up boots make a nice change from plain combat boots.
Cute red MCM backpack similar to the one Jung Kook has to add a bit of color. I have a beige one (Luhan's) and love it!
Handcuff bracelet, a nod to the adorable Officer Kookie kkkk
This black and white dress was a nice alternative to their simple white shirt, black skinny tie and pants outfits from the MV and the M!Countdown performance. Office appropriate, no? ^^
Some cute cat earrings just because I think Suga looks kind of like a cute cat.
Dope snapback for a bit of flair.
What did y'all think of BTS's comeback? Do Korean boy bands inspire your fashion choices? Who's your bias in BTS? :)
Do you have a date coming up and want a sweet and lovely makeup look that'll last all day? You came to the right place!
My secret: lots of PINK!
First of all, you'll definitely want a lasting look. Those of you who live in Korea or have Korean BFs know what I'm talking about! Korean style dates usually last ALL DAY. I'm talking lunch, cafe, shopping, dinner, movie, evening walk on the river kind of marathon! In the States, we usually only met for a few hours at a time. The lifestyle there makes shorter meetings easier, but here couples often spend whole days together on dates. I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to see my BF 3-4 times a week despite living on opposite sides of Seoul, but many of my friends can only meet their BFs once a week or less.
My date look is a bit unusual in that it's rather minimalist compared to my everyday makeup look. That's completely due to my BF's preference, which I respect. He, like many Korean men I think, prefers a natural makeup look. Of course individual guys have individual preferences, but this is the look I wear on pretty much all of our day dates. If I change anything, he notices immediately too! I can get away with a bit more at night, however, and I'll follow this with a tutorial on my romantic evening date look.
For the day look, start with a flawless base. After completing your morning skincare routine and SPF, dab and blend an air cushion compact that suits your skin type and tone all over. Make sure you blend well on your jawline! I'm using my tried and true Iope (I recently switched to shade N13 Light Vanilla). For more info see my sweat-proof summer makeup tutorial or Iope's official site here. Use a product with whatever finish you prefer, but my personal preference is a natural semi-dewy look (is that even a thing? What do you call slightly dewier than semi-matte? lol).
Seriously, this stuff is my ultimate Korean HGP.
Next, get your eyebrows in order. I'm using the same Clio pencil--KillBrowTattoo Lasting liner in shade 02 Light Brown. Again, I'm so envious of thick, straight Korean brows! If you can do a straight brow look, please do so for an innocent and lovely look. I can't even fake it, unfortunately, but apply as light a color as possible in a shape that suits you!
Definitely jealous of the sweet straight brow ladies!
Next. apply a candied orchid lip and cheek tint with a light hand. A candied what you say? Last year Benefit released the crazy popular Lollitint to rave reviews and I finally found the perfect dupe here in Korea! It's another of the pudding tints from Aritaum and it's only 5,000 won! That's less than $5, guys. Compare that to Benefit's Lollitint which retails at $30! You wont' be disappointed.
Called Lollipop, just in case you weren't sure kkkk
It looks slightly purple when it comes out of the bottle, but it dries on cheeks and lips to a lovely cool pink. This stuff is magic! It even has a slightly glossy finish on lips, hence the "pudding" name. Dab it all over lips and apply 3 dots to cheekbones and blend.
Blend FAST FAST FAST and use a light hand.
Now for the eye shadow! I use a little duo from Clinique called Strawberry Fudge, but you can use any brand. You only need two shades: a subtle warm pink with a slightly golden shimmer, and a pale brown with a pinkish tone. Etude and Innisfree both make nice cheap shadow singles!
First (after priming your lids), apply the light pink shade all over the lid up to the crease.
Next, apply the brown shadow with a light hand to the outer corner of your eye making a C-shape. Extend it slightly past the edge of your lid almost like an inverted triangle. Blend well! This look shouldn't have any harsh lines.
As I said, the finished look should be very subtle.
Next, pull out your trusty black liquid liner. I'm using Clio liner in Kill Black . Apply a very fine line following the shape of your eyes closely. Give it the tiniest wing out at the end. I would wear heavier liner for an evening look, but keep it pretty thin for daytime. ^^
Now, mascara! I have a different one I use for heavier looks, but for a natural look I like Benefit They're Real in black. First, curl your lashes (I always reach for my Shu Uemera). Give your lashes a nice flirty curl. I find that concentrating on the middle lashes makes big round dolly eyes. Remember, this look is sweet and girly! Follow with just one coat of mascara to keep a natural look. Don't forget your bottom lashes!
Instant doll eyes!
Next step, blush. For a lovely look, choose a cute baby pink powder blush to layer over your cheek tint. I like The Face Shop Lovely ME: EX Pastel Cushion Blusher in Pink Cushion.
Super cute packaging!
You can use the puff applicator too, but it goes on a bit heavier.
Use a blush brush and apply it lightly on the apples of your cheeks in gentle circular motions. Add more if you'd like, but I usually only do one swirl.
Smile so the apples of your cheeks stand out.
Now, just add a tiny bit more Lollipop tint to the center of your lips and you're finished!
This lip tint stays put too! Totally kissproof kkkk <3
That's the look! Now, fix your hair in a pretty style (I like long loose curls), choose a cute outfit (comfortable shoes are a plus), and go meet your sweety for a lovely date! I'll be posting more date looks like the Han River picnic date look soon for some Seoul style inspiration.
The finished look! Fresh and pink ^^
A note on skin tones: as you can see, my skin tone is rather cool and pinkish. If your skin tone runs warmer, or if you just don't care for pink, feel free to substitute a nice coral for the pinks in this look! Just keep it soft and pretty, and I'm sure it'll look lovely!
Also, great news! I'll be uploading a makeup tutorial for this look along with my upcoming Romantic Date Night Look and Sistar - Shake It makeup tutorials on Youtube soon! Please check out my Youtube channel!
Let me know what you think of the look in the comments and tell me what products you like for your lovely dates!
BigBang just had a massive comeback this summer with a whole host of fierce songs! I love them all, but my personal favorite has to be the bombastic "Bang Bang Bang!" The fashions are spectacular, the beat is on fire, and the MV looks like it was directed by someone coming off a week long anime and coke bender (don't play, GD, we know it was really you). "Bang Bang Bang" represents everything I love about BigBang and what makes them completely irreplaceable in the K-pop landscape. Above I've tried to make their outrageous awesome outfits wearable for even a girly girl like me kkkk.
Let's look at some elements of the look from left to right:
I love pink hair on pretty much anyone and everyone, so I won't question Taeyang's choice on this! If you want pink hair yourself hair chalk is great temporarily, or if you're forbidden to have pink hair for some reason (I'm looking at you, BF) pick a nice pink matte lipstick that makes an impact.
Some cute heeled Timberlands are a good alternative to Taeyang's suede...Uggs? What even were those?
I'm not a huge fan of camo in general, but a cute camo top echoes the tank scene nicely!
There are some fabulous black leather jackets in this MV, so pick a flattering one like this biker jacket!
The white Dr. Martens are a wearable alternative to GD's crazy boots in the car scene. I love the bright white point on an all black outfit!
Lots of studded and spiked jewelry. Go!
Dark denim, the more distressed or destroyed the better!
If you wanna really commit, get a collar necklace to echo GD's gurl-on-a-leash fashion. That was honestly my biggest wtf moment in this MV...but I love him for always bringing me those moments!
Cute clutch reminiscent of the title ^^
The best I could hope to come to rocking GD's epic fur coat is a fur vest.
Yessssss my favorite look was the crazy sequined red devil look GD sported! Channel it with an embellished red dress and these wicked sequin heels! And then...go get...a man on a leash? O.o
Add a spritz of some sultry but feminine Givenchy to balance everything. See what I did there? Givenchy...Giyongchy? *dorky high fives*
And that's that! What did y'all think of the MV? I liked it! Visually it was kind of a hot mess, but when is that ever not the case for BigBang? I even liked all the glitter! Sooooooo much glitter.
Well if y'all haven't guessed it, my bias is a certain Kwon JiYong. Who's your bias?? What was your favoriye BB song this summer? Let me know in the comments!
Hi Lovelies! This one is a bit late coming, but it's finally here! Let me kick off by saying I'm a huge fan of Exo even though my bias left (Luhannnnn whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy). I still ugly sob when I think of Luhan, but that doesn't mean I love the other guys any less! I'm still a huge Exo supporter. Anyway, I really enjoyed "Love Me Right" despite repeatedly giggling at their football getups (really, SM?). Tbh I thought they styling for this MV was a bit underwhelming compared to most of their previous concepts. Even so, it's no secret Exo can fill out a suit well (like their SJ hyungs), and they looked really classy as usual.
There were 3 group looks in the video, so let's break it down left to right:
The first look is inspired by their football jerseys kkkk. Just ditch the shoulder pads, throw on some cute shorts and sneakers, and roll out. The red watch is a nod to their sports wristbands.
The second look is from their black and white Beetlejuice suits towards the end! Stripes seem to be really in this summer (check out my Sistar "Shake It" look!). I love the striped bustier with a pencil skirt and heels! Also, isn't that XO clutch adorable? ^o^
The last look was the trickiest to translate to a cute girls look. In the MV they wear light bluish/greyish suits with a red applique and red ties. Instead, for a summer casual look I like a collared white shirt over seersucker shorts. If you want to rock a tie that would be awesome, but I'd prefer to use a red bag as an accent. Throw on some patent loafers and dance away! Also, are you loving this Exo powers watch? <3
What did you think of this MV in comparison to their previous concepts?
As I said, I still miss Luhan, but I'm coping as best I can just like all Exo fans. Baekhyun, Sehun, and Kai are now in constant battle for my bias spot, so I can't wait to see them live so I can finally confirm!
Who's your Exo bias? How do you feel about menswear inspired fashion? Can you pull it off? Let me know requests for other boy band looks!
Last week my fitsperation was SISTAR and the girls are back with a fierce summer hit "Shake It!" Although I don't consider it particularly groundbreaking--it's right in line with the rest of SISTAR's summer singles--I enjoyed the song and the dance a lot! I really enjoyed some of the looks too! Above is my attempt to make them wearable. My favorite look from the MV was the black and white schoolgirl look that Bora was rocking! I found a dupe of her heart t-shirt you can roll up into a crop style and pin if you feel confident! The same goes for the lip shirt on the left that Dasom wore. As I said, these aren't the exact looks, but my interpretation of them. :)
I loved all the footwear choices, particularly Bora's Union Jack Doc Marten's and her hot pink pumps over the sheer socks! The Batman bag is a nod to Hyolyn's DC comics print jeans. As for jewelry, SISTAR likes to bling it up a lot. I'm personally not a fan of huge jewelry, but their looks aren't complete without massive gold hoop earrings!
When it comes to makeup, Their eye makeup stayed fairly natural and they opted for bright pops of color on lips instead. Hyolyn's matte cool pink lips looked great with her tan! To get that fresh flush of bright red on the lips that doesn't look heavy, try Revlon's balm stain in Romantic! This stuff is one of my HGPs and can create a perfect gradient lip or all over stain. Don't forget to liberally apply black curling mascara!
I left out their sporty looks in the second half of the MV cuz I wouldn't wear those unless I'm exercising. Their figures look sooooooo amazing though! I wanted to just dissolve into a puddle of tears by the end of the MV. I guess that diet tea is working! What do you think of the MV?
I'm excited about seeing the live performances! SISTAR has some of the best vocals of the girl groups imo, and after watching the dance practice video I think they'll do great with the live performances!
Honestly, I'm usually more into the guy groups, so expect some posts on fashion inspired by guy groups! If you can to see some past looks I've put together on EXO, B1A4, etc, check out my polyvore profile by clicking on the image. :)
It looks like the winner of the poll is Hyolyn (she does have some great curves), so I'll be doing a makeup tutorial on her look from the MV soon!
What do you think of K-pop fashion in general? Does it ever inspire your daily look? Which groups have had the biggest influence on your style? ^ ^
Here I am to check in a week after starting my diet...
This is tough. Seriously tough. I know a lot of readers can relate to the struggle, but I'm always overwhelmed with how difficult dieting is at first. I've managed to lose about 1 kilo since I started (maybe 2lbs?) last week, but it fluctuated up and down the whole time. I'm not trying to dismiss my progress, but it really feels like a drop in the bucket compared to what I have to lose. Still...if I continue to lose 1kg a week, after about 40 weeks I should be golden! Let's focus on the big picture.
Maybe slower is actually better. I can tell you right now there's no way I'll be able to fully stick to Miranda's diet as I posted last week. It's just not realistic for my lifestyle at the moment, but it's definitely something to aspire to (juicing and all!). Of course, not being able to go out much adds an extra layer of challenges. I should be happy because I have more time to prepare food, but instead I'm spending all my extra time thinking about what I'm going to eat that day. I mean, replacing social interaction with food would be a lot more fun if I could eat whatever I wanted! Pizza and Netflix makes isolation so much more tolerable.
My spirit animal.
(Adventure Time copyright CN)
Now I'll talk about what worked for me and what didn't over the last week.
What worked:
Drinking lots of water. I drank about 2 liters of water a day for the last week. It hasn't really made me less hungry, but I definitely feel better overall when I'm well hydrated. I think my skin is clearer too!
Eating more fruit and veggies. I just did my best to get 2 servings of fruit a day, even if it's all at once in a smoothie.
Eating more salads. Ok, I only ate a few salads...but a few is better than none, right? ^^;;
Eating less dairy. Except for some fat free milk in my cereal sometimes, or occasionally a small slice of cheese on a sandwich, I've been able to avoid dairy pretty well. I love cheese so much, but it's just so bad for me T-T
Lemon and ACV in hot water every morning. It wakes me up and my body seems to like it. ^^
Cutting out sugar. Leaving sugar alone was much easier than leaving carbs, cheese, pr soft drinks (which I guess is sugar too). I even baked a chocolate cake in my rice cooker, frosted it with cream cheese frosting, and gave the whole thing to my bf yesterday. It was hard, not gonna lie.
What didn't work:
Giving up cola. This is the big one! I managed to only drink Coke Zero which is calorie free, but I really want to shake the habit for good! That stuff is poison. I thought sparkling water was ok, but my nutritionist said all sparkling drinks expand your stomach and cause you to eat more. That just sucks! I'm trying to switch to iced Mate tea, which you might know from the Sistar commercial with the catchy song and hot guys. Cycle Body Bora, Pool Body Soyou, Party Body Dasom, and Club Body Hyolyn? Did they really get those figures by drinking this tea? I doubt it, but whatever. I want those S-lines!!!! Gimme teaaaaaaaaa!
Preparing all my own meals. It's so hard, y'all! I don't even have the excuse of "Omg I'm sooooo busy!" cuz I'm really not these days. It's just hard to go from preparing just dinner 3-4 nights a week to preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day. I can't lie and say I did that, but I will try harder next week. I did manage to prepare some yummy healthy meals.
Giving up carbs except for controlled portions of brown rice. Yeah, um, FAAAAAIL. It was so hard to give up my bread! I bought some healthy whole grain rye from the bakery and ate it up so quickly! Gotta ration that better next time!
So there's my little update. I'll check in again next week with measurements and comparisons between Korean diet advice and American diet advice. For now I'll just leave you with some fitsperation in the form of K-pop girl group Sistar!
Dasom, Bora, Hyolyn, Soyou. Someday, ladies, I will join your perfectly curvy-yet-slim ranks.
Is anyone else out there dieting? Please leave a comment and tell me what's working or not working for you. Let's share the struggle!
Another makeup tutorial! Y'all know the airplane beauty blues, right? The best of us often reach our destinations with dry, pale, lifeless skin and mega dark circles. One of the realities of living in Korea means I have to take long 15+ hour plane rides back and forth when I visit my family in the States. I'm meeting either my parents or my BF when I arrive, so I want to look healthy and as lovely as possible!
Me with my adorable Coach passport holder I bought years ago! Travel accessories are so much fun! ^^
After several years of long plane travel, I've come up with a streamlined beauty routine you can do either just before landing or after in the airport restroom. This look is also great for sick days or days when you're just not looking as bright as usual. It's an easy way to pump some color into your dead looking face and arrive looking fresh and lovely! Let's get started!
Five steps! Easy peasy for 5 minutes before landing.
The first thing I'd like to suggest is boarding the plane without makeup. Unless you're an idol, you probably don't have anyone to impress in the airport! Just look at the lines of people in sweats and UGG boots or flip flops, oversized sunnies to hide dark circles (no judgment, I've done it too. 'MURICA!). I recommend coming with a bare face if you can stand it. If not, please remove your makeup and wash your face before boarding or ASAP after boarding!
Now, you probably know the requirements for carrying cosmetics or liquid toiletries on board, but please check on the airline's policies if you're not sure! You don't want to have a fortune's worth of products confiscated going through security. Now let's talk about the products used! You will need:
1. A good moisturizer is a must for long flights if you want your skin to look decent upon arrival! Slather it on when you get settled and get some shuteye! Eye cream is good if you can bring it, but as long as you have a good moisturizer it's fine. My favorites for travel are Clinique Moisture Surge or Laneige Water Bank cream. If you live in Korea, however, you probably have tons of samples you can conveniently take. I try to use samples whenever possible for travel!
2. Lip balm--whichever you like. I prefer Smith's Rosebud Salve!
3. A little beauty kit with all the colors you need in one little box is a great option for travel! For this look I'll use Benefit's Sugarlicious kit. It's a very neutral palette that can warm up most skin tones. I find it a bit heavy for my rosy complexion most days, but when my skin is so dead looking after a flight or on a sick day it really warms me up. The kit includes Benetint (the classic rosy lip and cheek tint), High Beam (highlighter), Suagrbomb blush, and Sugarbomb lip gloss. If you don't have a kit with those 4 items, please bring the products separately!
It has a huge mirror inside too, which makes everything so easy!
4. Mascara, lash curler, and brow weapon of choice. I'm using Benefit They're Real mascara in Black, my Shu Uemera curler, and Clio Kill Brow in Light Brown. I seriously recommend avoiding shadow or liner on your eyes if you can. You don't want to do anything to bring out the dark circles! If you travel with an eyeshadow palette, however, you can use a matte brown on your eyebrows if you don't want to bring a pencil (Buck and Naked in the UD Naked palette for example).
5. Concealer if needed. I uses Clarins Instant Concealer in 01. I tend to avoid base makeup on flights because it just never seems to sit right, but if it makes you feel more comfortable then go for it! :)
The flight is about to land and you're well rested! Your skin should be dewy and lovely after sleeping with the moisture cream on, and lips should be smooth. Are you ready to start the makeup? ^^ There's actually a little tutorial inside the Sugarlicious kit in case you forget the steps.
Step 1: Tint
Dot some of the tint on your lips and blend to let the color set--this will also help you form overdoing the cheeks. Then use 3 small dots of the tint on your cheeks and IMMEDIATELY rub them into a nice, natural flush. 3 doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me--this stuff is potent. After you let it settle a minute, if you think you need more then add 2 dots at a time until you reach your desired flush. Just don't overdo it or you'll look like a clown!
Step 2: Blush
I know it sounds like a lot, but swirl a bit of the Sugarbomb blusher around on the brush until the colors are blended then tap off the excess. Lightly brush it across the apples of your cheeks for a lively glow. If you can't live without eyeshadow, you can use your finger to sweep a bit of it across your eyelids as well for a dash of shimmer and warmth.
Step 3: Highlight
Here's where the magic happens! They call Benefit's High Beam 'model in a bottle' because it gives you an instant healthy glow. I can't imagine how many bottles of highlighter Korean makeup artists go through each month to give the actresses that enviable sparkle! Anyway, just make three dots on the tops of your cheekbones and blend up to your temples. I'd probably also add a bit on my forehead and down the bridge of my nose depending on how dull my skin looks.
Step 4: Eyes
Eye makeup is sooooo basic for this look! First, curl your lashes as much as possible to make your eyes look wider and more awake. Then follow with 1-2 coats of your favorite mascara on your top lashes only! Putting mascara on the bottom lashes will only make your dark circles worse! Fill in your brows with an unobtrusive color and comb through for a fresh look. If your dark circles are really stark, gently pat on some concealer. I highly recommend the Clarins Instant Concealer!
Step 5: Lips
If desired, you can use more Benetint to deepen your lip color. I prefer a subtle, youthful flush, but do what's best for your coloring. My lips are fairly pigmented already, so the tint isn't very strong. Next, dab some of the Sugarbomb gloss onto the center of your lips and use your finger to blend out.
All products use, including the instruction cards for Sugarlicious.
There ya go! A fresh, youthful glow to see you through till you can have your shower and start to feel like a human again! I've been sick with bronchitis for a while, so I've been using this look on days when I can be bothered with makeup to give my face a little pickmeup.
Other airplane beauty tips: 1) drink water, but avoid coffee, soda, and alcohol as they make you puffy and mess with your sleep. 2) buy a cute sleep mask and neck pillow--it's really worth it if you want to get any shuteye! 3) wear comfortable clothes, but don't look sloppy. I'll do a post on airport fashion later!
What about you? Any travel beauty products you can't live without? Let me know requests for tutorials in the comments!
Yay! Another fashion set! I'm soooo happy to see Kara come back with a song I actually like! It's been a minute, ladies. Their MV for Cupid is nothing groundbreaking in my opinion, but I thought some of the looks were really lovely!
The looks where they were inside the huge Tiffany boxes especially stood out! They wore glamorous sparkly black and white ensembles that I just adored. The look on the left is based on those! Try a black bustier over a sheer top and tiny black shorts for a night out. Throw on some statement jewelry and bedazzled heels and hit the town! I included a Tiffany blue clutch as a nod to the scenery. Also, don't forget to add some glitter to your makeup--think living jewel!
The middle look was based on the cowboy hat outfits during the dance breaks. Now, I'm from the South and have worn a cowboy hat on occasion, but I certainly wouldn't wear one around Seoul! Try replacing the hot pink hat with a cute hot pink headband. I also added a little Western inspired bag for fun ^o^. Also, Kara's lipstick game was ON POINT in this MV. I might even have to do a makeup tutorial on it!
The look on the right is sort of inspired by the all white looks the girls were sporting which I found ultimately forgettable. I added a dress with that same Tiffany blue color for some visual interest and the cute arrow necklace as a nod to the title. Their nails are a lovely pastel pink too! You can wear some white oxfords for a cute casual look and put on some heels to dress it up!
Weren't the girls lovely? Keep in mind, these are general guidelines. I certainly don't suggest $1,040 shoes (unless you have that kind of disposable income...can we trade places?), but it's easy to find cheaper options!
What did y'all think of Kara's comeback? Do you like the song? Who is your favorite member? ^^ Please put requests for looks from any K-pop MVs in the comments!
Also, was anyone else fondly remembering Tuxedo Mask with the weaponized roses?? Oh, those were the days! My first Asian guy crush lol.
Maybe my first crush in general.
I hope everyone is having a lovely week! For info on the products used in the picture, please check out my Polyvore site above! <3
So this is my first post about Seoul fashion! I wanted to choose a specific scenario to give examples of looks that are both popular right now and that I would personally wear. These two outfits, for example, are very similar to those I've worn on picnic dates in Han River Park! ^^ Those are always such a good time! So far my favorite spots are Banpo near the fountain bridge, Yeoido, and Hapjeong/Seonyudo. What about you, Seoulites?
Do you recognize it from the scene in Boys Over Flowers? ^^ Check out more info about the Banpo Bride Rainbow fountain here. They have info on lots of great tourist locations! Image copyright VisitKorea
Let's talk about some elements of the outfits!
Cute floral sundresses are great for summer dates! Throw a lightweight cardi over it to both hide your shoulders (this is Korea after all) and protect you from chilly temps at night.
Shoes: would you believe Birkenstock sandals are in again this summer? Kk I'm always surprised to see this 90's fashion staple everywhere, especially in trendy areas like Gangnam and Hongdae. Also, cute sneakers are always on point for summer. The Superstars had a huge comeback in the spring!
Pink accessories, because I love pink! Some lovely pink will always brighten a neutral outfit.
A cute lunchbox for all your homemade goodies like this Totoro one! If you don't feel like cooking, ordering chicken to the park is fun too! The delivery guy will just call when he gets there so he can find you. However, cooking is usually a fun and easy way to impress your date. <3
As you can see, I just prepared some really simple food: fruits, veggies, beef kimbap, fried tuna pancakes, and homemade chocolate chip cookies! I can make more complicated stuff these days, but simple was ok. ^^
A sweet, charming (but not cloying) fragrance for your summer romance. I'm partial to Daisy by Marc Jacobs! It doesn't have a lot of staying power, though, so mist yourself thoroughly before going out. Better yet, carry a rollerball in your bag. ;)
Don't forget that sunscreen!
Also take a look at Yeoido! Image copyright VisitKorea.
Our first picnic date was almost a year ago in August at Tteuksom! It was hot, so we cooled down after in a shady little indie cafe nearby. I wish you all joy on your lovely picnic dates!
How time flies!
For a stay put makeup look, be sure to check out my lovely summer makeup look here. For info on the products in the picture, please check out my Polyvore profile linked below the photo! Have a lovely picnic~~~^_^
Well, I promised a good portion of this blog will be about diet, so here goes. I'm actually really nervous to talk about this, because life in Korea as an overweight person isn't always fun. I'm not trying to scare away people who are considering moving here by saying you have to have a body like SNSD to be accepted. That's just not true! You can have a perfect and fulfilling life here no matter your size. However, I have struggled with my weight all my adult life and find myself more motivated than ever to finally lose it.
I know you probably can't tell from my head shots what size I am, but these days I'm a pretty solid 16 dress size. I'm around 173cm (5'8) and...I can't bring myself to say my exact weight. Let's just say it's too high for me. I promise to post pics as soon as I pluck up the courage!
This is not my body. Actually, I had no idea who Miranda Kerr was until I came to Korea and saw her Wonderbra ads all over the subway! Then I read more about her as I was researching beauty uses for coconut oil. She's pretty much my ultimate girl crush these days (aside from my fav Kpop divas).
When I first came to Korea two years ago, I weighed the most I ever had in my life. I dropped a little over 30lbs (about 14 kilos) really quickly just from switching to mostly Korean food. However, my weight has been constantly yo-yo-ing for the last year and a half and I want it to stop! I want to get down to my goal weight and develop a healthier lifestyle.
In order to motivate myself, I'll try to track my progress on this blog with a weight loss post every Wednesday. They probably won't be long--just to check in and talk about what worked and didn't work that week.
As one of my health role models is Miranda Kerr, I've been researching her diet and healthy living tips lately. Lots of the foods she suggests are pretty impractical for Korea (ingredients are rare and expensive), but I'll try to follow her general guidelines over the next few weeks. Some suggestions she makes I'll try are:
A glass of hot water with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and honey in the morning to jump start your metabolism and boost your immune system (already doing this and I love it).
Breakfast options
Fresh fruit salad. I make frozen fruit smoothies instead for economy and convenience--fresh fruit is expensive here, yo!
Yogurt OR cooked breakfast with two eggs and rye toast. She suggests avocados with the toast, but they're (again) too expensive here.
OR old-fashioned oatmeal or muesli
Green tea (I put a touch of coconut oil in it per her suggestion!)
Morning snack
handful of almonds OR 2 crackers with tuna
Lunch options
Green salads with chicken or fish
Lentil dish
Green tea or coffee
Afternoon snack
Almonds OR fruit
Dinner options
Fish, chicken, or (occasionally) red meat cooked with ginger and garlic
Fresh vegetables cooked (broccoli, green beans, snow peas, bok choy, spinach) OR green salad
roasted onion and garlic for serving
I cook dinner for my boyfriend once or twice a week, so I'll definitely keep trying Korean recipes too. I'll just make sure to use brown rice and limit my portions (he eats twice as much as me anyway...damned Asian guy metabolism >_<)
Eat a serving of dark chocolate and a serving of ice cream once a week to keep cravings down.
Try to replace your usual cooking oils with coconut oil or olive oil.
Drink lots of water--from 1.5 to 3 liters a day
Take a multivitamin
Eat for your blood type. I find this questionable, but it won't hurt to try! I'm type O, so I basically need more meat and veggies and less carbs and dairy.
I'll try sticking to this for a week and report back with successes and failures! Next week I'll write about her suggested workout and what I can realistically do. This week I can't work out except for a bit of gentle yoga because I'm still recovering from bronchitis.
Have you tried any of these diet tips? What works for you? Have you experiences any anxiety about visiting Korea because of the intense standard of beauty here? Let me know in the comments and wish me luck!
Kisses,
Angela
P.S. I have to thank my lovely BF for being so supportive about my diet and still telling me I'm pretty every day. I know he could have chosen one of the countless thin girls in Seoul, but he chose me anyway! I love him so much! >ㅁ<
Ladies, don't let anyone tell you you have to lose weight to be happy or find a good man! Just let yourself be lovely and trust your own charm! That alone will attract people worth loving. <3
It’s summertime in Seoul: the sweaty time, the 3 showers a
day time, the “don’t judge me, I’m a sweaty foreigner!” time. Summers in Korea
(and anywhere hot and humid) are a constant struggle between wanting to look chic
and not wanting to look like your face is melting off à la Ark of
the Covenant *cue facemelting wails.* There are lots of cute looks out there,
but this is my basic look for getting through the day with a full face of
makeup still on.
Fresh and lovely for summer! This is a very wearable, natural look that's great for daily makeup.
9 steps sounds like a lot, but I promise it's totally foolproof! ^^
First, complete your morning skincare routine and make sure
to use a good SPF of around 50! My latest is MediSpa Sunblock SPF 47/ PA++ Cell
Fùsion C. It’s important
to use SPF even when the sun isn’t shining! Now, let’s start the makeup:
Ahhh! My face without any makeup, no filter. I've never posted a makeup free photo before >///<
Step 1: Apply a pore minimizing
primer to make your makeup last and prevent sweating it off in 2.5 seconds
after walking out the door. I’m using the Goodbye Pore Ever pore primer essence
from Etude House. I’ve heard the Peach Sake pore serum from Skin Food also
works well as a primer, so I plan on giving that a try too! I apply the pore
essence only to my T-zone and across my cheeks. I’ve tried thicker makeup
bases, but they just melt right off in the summers…not cute.
Step 2: Choose a cute lip and
cheek tint in a nice summery color! I’m partial to pinks, so I chose the
Aritaum Style Pop Pudding Tint in No.1 Polka Pink. It’s a cute, fresh pink and
a nice dupe for Benefit Posietint (way cheaper)! I also love Benefit Lollitint
and am searching for the perfect dupe. Just dot the tint on your cheekbones
(3-5 dots) and rub it in immediately! Seriously, this stuff will set really
fast, so hurry! I also put a bit on the apples of my cheeks to create a lovely
flush. If it looks a bit strong, don’t worry! The next step will make it more
subtle! ^^ Also, dot a bit of tint in the center of your lips the let the stain
start setting.
Step 3: For base makeup, try a
long lasting air cushion pact! I use the classic Iope Air Cushion XP in N21 Ice
Vanilla. This is one of the bestselling Korean cosmetics of all time and with
good reason! I’m telling y’all, this ish makes your skin dewy and flawless. It’s
great for summer because if you’re a sweaty beast (like me), it reapplies
flawlessly to both absorb the sweat and smooth out your makeup. Just make sure
to wash the cushion puff regularly! To use, just start in the center of your
face and apply with a quick patting motion all over to the hairline and
jawline. This stuff is really sheer, but it comes in another finish—C (for
cover)—if you need more coverage. Sometimes I use the S (shimmer) finish for
nights out too! It’s also SPF 50/PA+++, so winner all around! ^^
Step 4: Here’s an extra tip: for longer
wear, flip the cushion so it’s upside down and pat your face all over again with
the dry part. This helps lock in the product and ensure it stays put in the
sun!
Step 5: Fill in those brows, ladies! For a Seoultastic look, try a straight brow. I unfortunately have thin, arched eyebrows like a comic book villainess , so I can't even fake a straight brow. I do, however, fill my brows in with a nice cool, unobtrusive taupe color to give them some definition. Use a long lasting gel formula for summer! My latest fav is Clio Kill Brow Tattoo-Lasting Gel Pencil in 2 Light Brown. Just apply in light, short strokes and brush through with the other end.
Step 6: Eyeshadow! I know some people love creamy stick shadows for summer, but I'd much rather just use a good primer and a light powder shadow. First, apply your primer (A MUST in hot weather). I chose Urban Decay primer in Eden for this, but Etude makes a great much cheaper alternative too. Then, choose a nice neutral shadow with a bit of shimmer. I chose a lovely trio from Mamonde: Bloom Harmony Gradation Eyes in 02 Petal Brown.
Brush the lightest shade from the inner corners over the inner third of your lid. Bring in below your eye and line all the way below your bottom lashes for a bright look.
Pat the medium bronzy shade on the middle third of your lid.
Concentrate the darker brown on the outer third of your lid, making a 'v.' Pull it slightly below the outside edge of your bottom lashes as liner.
Step 7: Line, baby, line! You won't see many ladies in Seoul without a perfectly lined eye. For summer, make sure you choose a long lasting waterproof formula. I usually opt for black, but sometimes brown is nice for a charming warm weather look. Today I'm using my all time favorite Clio Waterproof Pen Liner in 01 Kill Black. Just line your eye according to your eye shape and give it a subtle wing at the end. If you prefer a more dramatic wing, go for it! I try to keep it pretty chill,
Step 8: Mascara! Curl your lashes with whatever curler you prefer (I use my trusty Shu Uemera). Use one coat of your favorite black mascara. Ok, I have a confession: I detest waterproof mascara! It just takes forever to get off, and now that I'm in my late twenties I don't like all that tugging and strong remover products around my eye area. I actually have a lot of mascaras I like of all prices, but my current favorite is a higher end one from Lancome: Grandiose smudgeproof mascara in Black. It's got a weird "swan neck" wand and fans my lashes out beautifully.
Step 9: Now to finish the lips! For a cute and charming pink pout, dab a bit of extra pink tint onto the center of your lips again. Then, choose a sheer lip balm with decent SPF. I still like Maybelline Baby Lips SPF 20 lip balm, Here's 25-Pink Punch layered over the Aritaum tint for a gradient effect. I've also heard good things about some of the Innisfree balms, so stay tuned for a review!
And this is the final look! Be sure to add a cute hair accessory before hitting the streets, and go enjoy your lovely summer! Whether it's picnics on the Han river, or shopping sprees in Myeongdong (sweaty work), this look will last the whole day!
Here's all of the products used! Please stay tuned for more info on my skincare routine and other makeup looks!
Oh, and if you're wondering why I didn't use bronzer, it's because it's not really in fashion here in Korea. Korean women sometimes use a light brown (matte) powder or cream for contouring to achieve the prized "V-line" or make their faces look smaller. I will do another post on contouring, but for summer makeup, I find less is more. ^^
What are your summer makeup favorites? Any ideas for additional looks or products great for summer? Feel free to put any requests in the comments! Also, I'll upload the video tutorial on my Youtube channel as soon as I get a new camera. OTL
