BB Cream & Me

Hello fellow bloggettes and bloggers, its me again! I just got back from shopping and here's my haul today. As you can see, I bought all of these from Sasa.They gave me a free bag =)

If you've read my previous monologue-ish blog, I stated that I recently became interested with the South Korean culture. And I did mention about doing a Korean skincare review. But seems that life has different plans...

I researched alot on Korean skincare and make-up. Let me fill you in on BB Cream before I start.

BB cream, also known as Blemish Balm, Blemish Base or Beblesh Balm, is a cosmetic item that was initially used by dermatologists to help laser surgery patients protect, soothe and refine highly sensitive skin while providing light coverage for post-laser scars, acne and other blemishes.Although BB cream was not specifically created for the Asian market, it provided a solution to a common skin problem for many Asians: impure skin. The cream eventually found its way into a broad mainstream market when Korean actresses recommended it publicly. Basically its BB CREAM = Base + Foundation + Concealer + (Natural Makeup) + Sunblock + Moisturiser + Oil Control + Healing Properties (Skin Regeneration, Pore Tightening, Skin Toning) + Optional Feature (Anti-Wrinkle/Brightening/Whitening). 

My visit to Sasa.

I originally went there to buy a Laneige trial kit and a waterbank eye designer gel/cream. To my dismay, the saleswoman said they didn't sell Laneige. But amidst my protests because I researched online , their brands supposedly included SK II, Laneige and etc. She explained that I probably read it from the Taiwan Sasa website, here they don't sell it due to shipping yadayada. 

Cautiously, I asked her if they sold BB Cream and she said yes =) . Down I went to the BB Cream display where she showed me BB Creams galore. They were Mr. Young, Mr Wu , Dr G, Dr.Jart, BRTC and a bunch more products which I didn't pay attention to...hehe. The BB Cream I really wanted to buy was either the BRTC Blemish Recover Balm or BRTC Protect Multiplex Balm  (both for blemishes but Protect Multiplex has better coverage and Recover Balm is more oilier than Jasmine Water) .So I tried a lot of testers, so sorry in advance if I don't exactly remember it in order. I tried on a Dr.Jart product that was supposedly good for blemishes and I compared it with the BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream, I noticed that BRTC Jasmine Water had better coverage than Dr.Jart's (I compared it to the veins of my wrist) . Then I tried BRTC Whitening & Repairing and it was very  glittery to the skin. ( it reminded me of this Kose' powder I once sampled). Word to the wise, never use a make-up product that has a sparkly effect if you have oily or blemished skin. Dr. Jart was okay but like I said BRTC definitely has better coverage. FYI, BB Cream doesn't have medium to light etc. They are only of one tone , ask anyone. Because says the saleswoman, the BB Cream blends in with you natural skintone (BB Cream, where have you been all my life!!). I actually was really adamant on getting a BB Cream that helps with blemished skin but the only one's that had it were Dr.Wu/Young and Dr.Jart.So I narrowed it to two which were the BRTC Aqua Rush and BRTC Jasmine Cream, so I compared it to my hand, and the difference was apparent, Aqua Rush is more warmer in tone but BB Cream was cooler/neutral. I chose Jasmine Cream in the end =).

 As you can see, to my far left is a more natural BB Cream application ( Jasmine Water) and to the right is the Aqua Rush application.

 My purchase =D

On to the second chapter, Skincare!!

Like I said, they don't sell Laneige (boo!), you'd have to buy it from the capital. Luckily,I remember my sister mentioning Hada Labo.... I researched it online last night and the reviews were good. It is said that a bottle of Moisturizing Lotion will be bought every 4 seconds in Japan .I didn't buy that though, I bought the Whitening Lotion, I wanted to try it out before I make a commitment, and unfortunately thay don't offer a trial kit. I bought the Hada Labo Arbuti  Whitening Face Wash because I have oily and blemished skin so the moisturizing would be over-kill.On the plus side, They offer a free 30ml Moisturizing Lotion with every purchase of the Whitening Face Wash. After that,  I bought a BRTC perfect pore clean I ,because it eliminates impurities (they are PPC I,II,III but I want to do a trial before I commit).

The Prices =Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Face Wash (10% disc) = RM45.90

                   =Hada Labo Whitening Lotion (with a free 30ml Moisturizing Lotion)=RM28.90

                   =BRTC Perfect Pore Clean I (10% disc) =RM 53.10

                   =BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream = RM49.50

So happy, will try it out and put more reviews online when I get the chance. Tata for now.

All Korean : Korean Culture

I've just recently caught interest in South Korea (call me crazy). So, anyways I just strated liking 2pm (who does not know them right?) . Nichkhun is adorable and Taecyeon is a goofball (albeit a cute one). I watched their Hot-Blooded Men days, it was gruesome, hello! If I was subject to that much torture, I'd quit on the very first day (on the island). Brutalllll! Choose a person not to eat? That's so mean, c'mon food is energy. But luckily, they all chose not to eat together =D . Anyways, Jaebum was wearing pink most of the time (???!!) , sorry I'm just surprised because he's more of a macho type of guy (Which goes to show, real men wear pink haha). Nichkhun is cute!! teehee, he has a man's body but a kid-like face (perfect combination lol). Teehee,  I was quite shocked that they cried at the prospect of some members going home (it broke my heart to see them crying =( ) Is it just me, or did they deliberately censor or skipped the Jessica a.k.a Yoga instructor parts?? Cos I really wanted to see that part but I guess a lot of fangirls/hottests would be jealous (c'mon its one simple lesson , its not like she's going to marry one of them boo!) I like 2pm besides I read somewhere that they were one of the high-earners in the South Korean entertainment industry. I'm a bit bummed out that Super Junior is no longer well, in the spotlight. Hangeng's, Ki Bum's gone, so sad cos they were the first Korean Boy-band I liked, its so sad that they just feel apart like that (maybe if they had better management?) I was surprised to find out that Wondergirls aren't the most famous girl band in Korea.I mean, didn't they open for the Jonas Brothers? You'd think they would get more press than that, besides wasn't Nobody the best single, everyone knows that song even my dad haha) But nope, the prize goes to SNSD, hmmm maybe because the members are more interesting?? I mean what influences the popularity,lucrativity of a group?? Hmmm.....anyways I feels that their industry is definitely a hard one to get through to. You'd have to spend years and years training just to debut. And the pressure? Whoa, no dating? Plus they'd have to look good all the freaking time, singing, acting, dancing practices and probably learning new languages? and to top all of that, variety shows. They'd be worn out by then. Wonder how much they make haha, maybe they get 20% and their company gets 80%?? and what if they had to split it 9/10 ways? Whoa no wonder, that most stay in their groups, abit apprehensive about becoming solo(because somedays you're in, somedays you're not). I really respect their dedication to both their craft and self image. Have you seen their skin (Koreans in general) ?? Dude, like baby bums, wahhhh! But most go to plastic surgery to get their desired look around like 90% have had something done. Hey I have nothing against plastic surgery, if you've got the money then do it , who am I to judge right? Next, I sometimes feel some are abit too thin for my liking, girls with curves are so few there. Maybe because I'm just so used to seeing women like Beyonce', Rihanna and etc. Korea is cool but  the pressure to look good is too high, the language and high cost of  living. Just like anything, the grass looks greener on the other side but maybe you've got a rose growing on your side =). Yeah, its better to stick to your own culture , don't try to be anything you're not. (Why? because sometimes you'll end up looking like a pretentious douche).But on the next post I'd probably do a research on Korean beauty products teehee. C'mon everyone wants baby bum-like skin!!! So, why not right? hehe Tata for now.