Hey everyone! So K-beauty has obviously gotten super popular globally and I love it too, but I’ve been noticing something interesting that a lot of these products are actually based on traditional Korean ingredients! It got me wondering how much we actually know about the traditional roots behind our favorite serums and creams. I’ve seen mung beans in some formulations, and even came across a product that had kimchi extract in it! Now I’m really curious : ✨️ What other traditional Korean ingredients have you noticed in K-beauty? ✨️ Are there any equivalents in Chinese or Japanese beauty? Or from other parts of Asia? Would love to hear what you all think! Sometimes I feel like these heritage ingredients don’t get the spotlight they deserve. Let’s chat!

Some nights, my skin feels like it understands my 14-hour desk days better than I do. The dullness, tightness, and that subtle sag… it’s real. So I created my evening ritual thinking less about ingredients and more about “doing something kind after a long day.” It’s less about blazing results, more about emotional reset. First, I use a cream-to-oil cleanser—something silky like Banila Co Clean It Zero, warm on the face, no rush. I press it on my skin, on the tension points—brows, cheeks—and let it melt everything off gently. Then I sit with round-lab mugwort pads, patting over any redness. The scent is herbal, calming. It’s the equivalent of a warm drink for my face. Next, I vaporize a mist with Eoseongcho extracts—centella, noise offset—while I write my tomorrow’s to-do list. It doubles as a mental pause. The mist sinks in as I breathe and plan. Finally, I use a cushion mousse of about pea-size—moist, soft, but not heavy. I massage it in, and it sticks to all the comforting layers below. It’s not minimal. It’s not flashy. But in that little timeline between dinner and sleep, my skin knows I care. Those transition rituals? They work more on the mind than the face. But if the mind rests, maybe the skin does too.

I first bought a gua sha tool because of the packaging — marble-like, smooth, and packaged with “sculpt your morning glow.” It stayed in my drawer for two months until actual life stress caused puffiness that no serum could solve. Here’s what convinced me to use tools daily: • Material matters. Rose quartz heats from your hands and retains a cool feel—perfect for morning depuff. Jade stays cool longer, which I love at night. And stainless steel picks up heat and drops it fast, which is ideal after a hot towel massage. • Shapes and curves. Mine has six edges—one for under cheekbones, another for brow bone, a third for jawline. That variety means I actually use it on my neck and chest now. • Slight pressure = slight change. This isn’t a tool for “one session, sculpted jaw.” It’s about daily reset. After sleep, it helps clear fluid buildup. After screens, it smooths tension knots near my temples. My go-to morning sequence: 1. Mist with hyaluronic acid toner. 2. Glide over eyes and cheeks, upward and outward. 3. Use the edge to press lymph nodes along neck. 4. Finish with moisturizer and SPF. It took two weeks to even out puffiness. Three weeks to soften smile lines. It’s not a miracle — but it is an actionable step to move your routine from passive to active care. If you’re someone who’s seen gua sha as a trend but not a habit, I’d say: don’t look for instant definition. Look for daily calm.

Scalp toners. Have you used one yet? I did—the brand said “exfoliate, hydrate, balance pH.” It felt refreshing, but then I realized that I had no idea what scalp toners actually do. So I started digging. Here’s what I discovered: Most scalp “toners” are water-based, with actives scrubbed down to calm, cleanse, or hydrate. But they rarely reach deep enough to affect sebum glands or follicles. They just settle on the surface. If your goal is clear flakiness or itch—sure, they can help calm irritation. But if you’re expecting deeper cleaning or real dandruff reduction, they can disappoint. Some brands add BHA for exfoliation, but if your scalp barrier is already weak, it might worsen irritation—similar to harsh toners on skin. Others push tea tree oil, which smells fresh but can be sensitizing at higher concentrations. My final take? Scalp toners are not miracle workers. They’re part of a maintenance system—alongside clay masks, anti-itch patches, balanced shampoos. If you just slather one on after a shower without fixing what’s underneath, you’ll mainly get scent and slight coolness. Not bad. Just directional support—not overhaul.

Hi everyone! I’m heading to Korea next month and I’m so excited to splurge on skincare and makeup while I’m there! I’m still pretty new to K-beauty and I've only tried a few products so far, so I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I have really dry skin, to the point where I still have to layer Vaseline on top of my moisturizers just to feel semi-hydrated. I’m definitely on the hunt for some seriously moisturizing products any holy grails would be amazing! I’m also dealing with a bunch of dark spots from old acne scars that just… won’t fade, no matter how many months go by. The full-blown breakouts have slowed down, but I still get a bunch of tiny pimples scattered across my face. So I’m also looking for brightening or fading treatments that are gentle but effective! Also, I’m pretty tanned, so if there are any skincare or makeup products that work well on darker skin tones, I’d love to hear about them! A lot of K-beauty makeup tends to lean pretty light, so I’d really appreciate any recs that are a better match for deeper tones. Oh, and if anyone knows of good products (Korean or American!) for back acne, please send them my way! Thanks so much in advance!!

Ever stared at a dozen tubes of “cica cream” and wondered, “are these basically the same?” Spoiler: they’re not. Even when they share the same ingredient claims, functional differences matter. I’ve broken down some of the most-watched categories—cica (centella), brightening (niacinamide, vitamin C), and post‑acne scar creams—to give a real sense of what sets them apart. Cica is calming, but different depending on ratio. One cream I tested had 2% centella and heavy silicones—super smooth finish, but didn’t reduce redness for me. Another balanced 5% centella with panthenol, and my cheeks visibly calmed overnight. Moral? Ingredient synergy matters. Brightening creams feel bright for different reasons. Some use pure niacinamide with licorice root, others load up on AHAs/Vitamin C derivatives. I found that while the AHA creams gave a fast glow, the niacinamide-focused creams improved tone without flare‑ups—but took 6–8 weeks. One of my favorites blends niacinamide and licorice, and showed mild radiance in 4 weeks. Acne‑scar creams are hinged on texture. Lotions loaded with silicone, oil blends, and vitamin E felt comforting but never penetrated my PIH. On the other hand, a gel-cream with tranexamic acid at 3% (not 10%) plus centella cleared old marks in about three weeks—with no irritation. So, when creams seem interchangeable: 1. Check ingredient %—5% cica is not the same as 2%. 2. Know the texture‑delivery style—gel vs. cream vs. balm. 3. Factor in support ingredients—panthenol, fatty acids, antioxidants. Next time you’re browsing for cica or scar fade, skip the “one for all” mindset. Focus on what your skin needs today and how long you’re patient enough to wait for results.

I never thought lip tint would require a whole personality test—but here we are. After months of testing, I’ve realized it really comes down to what your skin wants and how you live your life. Glossy tints feel like a pact with shine. I’m talking balmy textures that melt on your lips, give you that juicy, just-hydrated look. They’re forgiving on flaky patches and blend easily with your fingers or a brush. But—they can be high-maintenance. Food wipes them off. Straws leave rings. Reapplication becomes a mini ritual. Watery tints, on the other hand, set in like second skin. Dry in 30 seconds and leave behind a soft stain. I love how they don’t mess with my mask or my iced lattes. But they’ve got a flip‑side: if your lips are dry or chapped, they can cling and accentuate every crack. And the matte stain finish can feel a bit like plaster if you layer too much. Here’s how I decide: • Morning commute? Glossy tint—it wakes me up. • Working day with snacks? Watery tint—I don’t need to keep reapplying. • Late-night chill with friends? Glossy, because comfort matters. • Sweat or beach day? Water-resistant watery tint—it’s safer. Best examples: • TIRTIR Glowy Balm = mirror shine with a hint of pigment. • Romand Zero Stain = everything a true stain should be—thin, buildable, reliable. At the end of the day, choose the one that fits your routine, not the trend.

What's up y'all! I remember the days when the matte look reigned supreme and we’d powder our faces into oblivion with rice powder? Our makeup may have looked flat, but at least our skin felt soft and touchable. Now? With all the layers, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, and the dewy glow trend and I look good, but my face feels like a sticky, goopy mess. It’s like… yes, I’m radiant, but please don’t touch me. So here’s my question: how do you deal with the non-touchability factor when you’re up close with someone? Like, is it actually gross for them? Or am I overthinking it and it’s all in my head? Would love to hear how others navigate this.

I've been noticing a lot more lately and I wonder what are yalls thoughts. I've been seeing a lot more videos (they're beauty influencers) talking about relationships or telling their dating stories, and they do that WHILE getting ready for bed OR getting ready for the day (so they use makeup/ skincare products) But here's a thing. I didn't realize cuz I just scroll down tons of videos, but I thought something felt weird and I opened up the caption section and OF COURSE certain brand was tagged. Now I feel cringed out seeing those types of videos from her because I know whatever she's talking in the video, it doesn't matter for her. She knows we will be looking at the products she's using, even the clothes she's wearing. I knew that this is how it is but also got another reminder that you should never fully trust anything on social media lol

I've been eyeing a lot of products on olive young and I feel like I see some random products popping on 'Best' category. Before, I thought I just got confused and didn't think more about it, but now that I see it every day, I'm genuienly curious. The weirdest thing is that they only have like 5 to 10 reviews. Anyone also noticed this?