What Belly did, ate, saw: Beauty

IOPE Essential Moisture Relief Cream

I am by no means a "beauty guru" (I don't even know how to blend eye shadow), but I am a bit of a skincare junkie. I'm a strong believer that even the most expensive foundation in the world would be fighting a losing battle without a proper base to lay on. This is why I spend way too much time reading reviews, watching favorites videos, and testing/sniffing everything at the department store. My addiction to products got a whole lot worse after moving to Korea... Everybody and their mama knows about the hype surrounding Korean skincare, and I've definitely hopped on that crazy train. Today thought I'd share something I've been trying out and is fast becoming one of my faves: IOPE Essential Moisture Relief Cream.

To start off, let me introduce my skin. On most days I am combination-oily. I suffer from flushed discoloration on my cheeks and chin, and I'm constantly battling dark spots caused by acne. Living in Seoul, I'm always commuting and walking from one place to another. All that sun-exposure and pollution does wonders for my skin -__- What's great about this cream in particular is that it contains an oriental herb complex which is meant to soothe skin damaged from the environment. Exactly what I need!

As you can see from these photos, this cream actually has more of a gel type consistency. It's super fluid, glides on smoothly, and works great under make-up, just make sure to give about five minutes to sink in. But I find I get the best results when I use it at night :) After cleansing and all that jazz, I slather on a generous amount (about double of what I'd normally use in the daytime) and by morning, my skin is bouncy and looks totally quenched. My normally flushed cheeks look soothed and less pinky, and (huge plus) it hasn't broken me out yet!

This cream has the loveliest floral scent that I find very therapeutic when applying, but I know that scented moisturizers aren't for everyone. Also, this is one of the few Korean products that only focuses on soothing and hydration, and doesn't target wrinkles or aging, making it great for women in their 20's. On packaging: look how sleek! I love this tone of blue, and the gradation from aqua to black just makes it that much more appealing. All of IOPE's products have a more sophisticated look to them, unlike high street brands such as Etude House and Banila & Co. This will definitely up your vanity game.

IOPE is one of my most favorite Korean skincare brands. All of their products have a certain quality to them, and I'm never worried that I may be rubbing something cheap or harmful to my face. As we're practically sprinting towards summer weather, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a bit of relief from the elements and hydration without the sticky feel.

Let me know what you think!

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, by Isabelle

Beauty

My Korean Winter Skincare

Korean winters are notoriously cruel. The temperatures drop below freezing pretty much every single day of the season and the harsh winds will slap you right in the face, so the thought of taking care of it can seem a little daunting. Winter skin can be dull and chapped so the name of the game is hydration (though...it kind of always has been) and here's my little regimen consisting of (mostly all) Korean products.

Before we dive in, I just want to put it out there that I'm no pro. I get the occasional breakout here and there and I'll be the first to admit that my skin is far from perfect, but after switching some products around, I've found that it's really turned around for the better. I don't know what it is but something is going very right, and I just thought I'd share.

From left to right: Skin Food Lemon Tea Salt Mask Foam, Laneige Water Sleeping Pack, Shiseido Wrinkle Resist Balancing Softener Enriched, Monangi Renew Pore Deep Cleansing Skin, Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Water, Enesti Rice & Milk Foaming Cleanser, Laneige Water Bank Eye Gel, IOPE Essential Moisture Relief Cream, Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense

Step One + Two: Remove make-up and cleanse
Soak up a cotton pad with Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Water to remove make-up. Although this won't remove all traces of make-up from your face, I think it's helpful to try to erase the first layer of foundation from the skin before moving onto an actual cleanser. Lately I've been using Enesti Rice & Milk foaming cleanser, which leaves my skin supple without the oily filmy texture I find from other foaming cleansers. It's a tad repetitive, but I think double cleansing is the only way to be sure you're getting all the gunk off your face. Better safe than sorry, no?

Step Three: Exfoliate
I exfoliate only a few times a week, and when I do, I tend to reach for Skin Food's Lemon Tea Salt Mask Foam.I don't have a set schedule for it but it's usually when I feel like my skin is looking a little dull. In addition to the lemon extract and sea salt exfoliants, it contains witch hazel which helps keep my face clearer and brighter.

Step Four: Tone

I've mentioned Monangi's cleansing skin when I did my Remembering October segment. It's got soothing chamomile extracts and loads of anti-inflammatory properties that keep my skin clear. Still loving it.

Step Five: Softener / Essence

Again, this is a step I indulge in when I feel the need. It's usually when I've had a particularly stressful day or if I've been out in the cold for long hours that I reach for Shiseido's Wrinkle Resist Balancing Softener Enriched. I can't say just yet if it's helped prevent any wrinkles, but it's a harmless little treat for my skin.

Step Six: Eye cream

Everything I've read so far about skincare tells me that you're supposed get started with eye cream right as you enter your 20's. I haven't tried many yet, but I'm not picky. Right now Laneige's Water Bank eye gel seems to be all right. It's quite cooling to the under eye and not very sticky, and keeps my eyes nice and hydrated to allow for easy concealer application in the morning.

Step Seven: Moisturizer

Right now I'm using IOPE Essential Moisture Relief Cream. It's called a cream, but it's really more of ultra hydrating gel-type consistency. Excellent in soothing the skin after a long day out in the elements or from an equally harsh and scorching shower, cause who really takes a shower in cold water especially in this weather?

Step Eight & Nine: SPF and Lip care

SPF! I can't stress enough how important sunblock is! But it's the step I always seem to skip :( Even though you probably won't be lounging poolside in the middle of winter, the sun's harmful rays can still damage your skin and lead to discoloration no matter the season. I like Kiehl's Daily UV Defense because of how light it is. It absorbs easily and it's one of the only sunblocks that doesn't leave me super greasy.

For my lips, it's usually regular chapstick, but on days when the pout is asking for little extra love, I use Dior Creme de Rose lipbalm. A total luxury item but literally nothing else has made my lips more plump and hydrated. And a hint of rose makes everything better.

Masks and Packs:

I keep my sheet masks in the fridge and pop one on after my evening shower a couple of times a week. I don't have a favorite, but to be honest, I think the ones from high street beauty stores all work in the same way.

As for face packs, once a week I use Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (not pictured) to help clarify the pores, and once a week on a different day I use Laneige Water Sleeping Pack, which I leave on while I sleep (hence why it's called sleeping pack) on top of my moisturizer to really lock in the moisture.

And of course drink plenty of water, take your vitamins, and eat your fruits and veggies :)