top shelfie pt. 2

I wrote one of these about a year and a half ago, and my products have vastly changed since then thanks to an increased use of Korean skincare. Let’s just say… my relatives’ skin can speak for itself.

To start, most of my skincare comes from Korea or France. But that feels on brand. Their products are affordable and tend to be a lot gentler on my skin than American products. Some brands do have American formulas (ie. La Roche Posay), but that doesn’t mean the recipe is identical due to varying regulations between the EU and US. The most expensive step of my routine is a 4o€ serum. Everything else is under, and I really believe that skincare shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

I don’t pretend to be any skinfluencer but I do watch a lot of skincare tiktoks, and do my fair share of reading. This is what works for me, and honestly, my favorite part of the day is washing my face. Loosely based on the Korean 10 step skincare routine(in this order), here we go.

oil cleanser- One of the only scented steps of my routine, but the soaps and products from this store are amazing. Double cleansing feels so indulgent but it really removes all the grease and grime of makeup

foaming cleanser- There are a couple products I’m interested in trying when my cleansers run out, but for now they’re both gentle and do the job.

toner- Wipes off any makeup residue that may have survived the double cleanse. I use reusable cotton pads and rotate throughout the week, to toss them in the wash.

cleansing milk- It’s been part of Korean women’s skincare for ages to pat the leftover water from cooking rice onto their faces. And now, you can get it in a bottle! **Pat, don’t rub.

morning serum-I use Caudalie vinoperfect serum in the morning. It replaced my vitamin c a little while back due to it’s shelf life stability and other benefits. At night if I’m not using a retinol, I’ll use this Beauty of Joseon Revive serum.

eye cream- I recently discovered that you should wear this morning and night. And it goes before your moisturizer. Under 15€‎, my kinda eyecream.

moisturizer-La Neige waterbank is just the right amount of dewy and moisturizing for me.

sunscreen- Chemical sunscreens are so last year. This mineral sunscreen has no whitecast, no scent, and leaves your skin feeling so soft. 1/4 teaspoon on your face and neck every morning people!

barrier repair- When the going gets tough, aka winter dryness hits the skin I like layering this on top of my moisturizer at nighttime to really lock in the moisturizing effects of the products

Masks etc.

volcanic pore cleansing mask- 2x week just to make yourself feel a little extra cleansed and glamorous with a green mask (bathrobe+candlelight also recommended)

eye masks- Easy to slip on and then just rub in the extra liquid after. *Pro tip, my sister puts these on while she’s on flights.

sheet masks- Innisfree has the biggest selection of these hydrating sheet masks. After your toner step, put on your mask, sit back and rub in the leftover once you remove it.

Resources:

-For shipping in the US, Soko glam has a great selection of Korean beauty products.

-Charlotte Palermino’s instagram is kind of my holy grail for staying informed.