Posts by styleunderpressure
The Long Game in Skin Care: Why You Should Stick to It
I did a double take. I had just returned from a 16-day trip across Spain and Morocco. And while the history, the culture, and the architecture were simply breathtaking and utterly mind-blowing —the lighting was not. I guess it’s the price you pay for staying in a museum-quality riad that’s over 700 years old. Needless…
Read MoreHow to De-stress With K-Beauty Skincare
Sometimes it seems that I’m living under a never-ending to-do list of deadlines and obligations and appointments. I check one off and, like a weed, another grows in its place. Even that first-world mandate of “me time” feels like yet another item I need to satisfy before I actually get a break. And while I…
Read MoreA Deep Dive into Micellar Cleansing Waters
Once upon a time, over a century ago, French women had to wash their now-famously glowing skin with harsh Parisian water. That is, until a British university discovered micelles in 1913. Eventually, these little spheres of oil suspended in water made their way to French pharmacies, who picked up on the cosmetic use of micelles…
Read MoreIngredient Spotlight: Sahara Prickly Pear Cactus and Other Survival Botanicals
Snow. Sleet. Frigid temps. Searing heat. These are some of the extreme climates from around the globe. And while an August in Seoul can sometimes feel like it pushes the limits of human tolerance (seriously, try walking to the subway in heels and office wear in sheets of rain and 100% humidity and 90+ degrees),…
Read More1 Day, 1 Mask: Korea’s Top Beauty Trend
It’s called “1 day, 1 pack.” And while this is not a reference to an unfortunate nicotine habit, it may well be just as addictive. 1 일1팩, as it’s called in Korean, is a beauty trend that originated in Korea some years ago, when stories began emerging about Korean celebrities attributing their amazingly pristine skin…
Read More5 K-Beauty Lessons That Changed My Skin
In a way, I’ve grown up with K-beauty. My mom is Korean, after all, and my earliest lessons, from how to apply eyeliner to DIY cucumber facials, were all passed down from her. I got my first professional facial with my mom — at a strip mall storefront in a Korean enclave of southern California,…
Read MoreI had a massive breakout — and LJH Tea Tree Mask saved me
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Yeah, not this time. I had just gotten back from a big beauty convention, and my souvenirs from weren’t just bags and bags of beauty samples and press kits — a little red bump found its way onto my face and latched on for dear life. Then this…
Read MoreThe K-Beauty Glossary
Our definitive guide to all the words and terms you’ll need to decipher K-beauty like a pro. Ampoule: In Korea, ampoules are hyper-concentrated versions of serums, made for use as a two- to four-week special treatment course before your essence or serum. Generally, ampoules come in smaller sizes due to their concentration, sometimes in small, one-time…
Read MoreSkincare Like a K-Drama Star!
Korean dramas are winning hearts the world over, and it’s not just for their meme-worthy tropes (back hugs!), easy-to-love storylines and easier-on-the-eyes stars. K-dramas provide an insight into the hottest trends coming out of Korea, whether it’s fashion, food, or jjimjil-bang (bathhouse) etiquette, and Korean beauty is no exception. Indeed, if Korean dramas are any…
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