Jung Saem Mool - My Most Recent YouTube Beauty Tutorial Find

Even though I've been sorely neglecting this blog, I've still been keeping up with makeup and beauty blogs and YouTube channels. I have to admit that my obsession with makeup has relaxed in the last few years, but I still like to keep myself updated with all the new products and goings-on.

I first came across Jung Saem Mool's YouTube Channel through Eat Your Kimchi, a blog devoted to Korean popular culture (K-pop for the most part) and everyday life in South Korea. It wasn't long after I first discovered EYK's website and YouTube channel for myself that I spent an entire evening trying to watch all of their videos and happened to come across an interview they did with these wonderful makeup artists.

Jung Saem Mool is a professional makeup studio in South Korea, run by the makeup artist of the same name. She and her colleagues are makeup artists to most, if not all of the top South Korean celebrities and are responsible for creating many of the iconic looks of your favorite K-pop stars (assuming you're familiar with K-pop).

AND they post tutorials for these looks on their YouTube channel. This isn't a random YouTube beauty guru recreating a particular look for you (not that there's anything wrong with that). You are getting firsthand lessons from the artists who actually created these looks!

All of the videos have English subtitles (some of the older videos have the subtitles in the annotations, so make sure you turn those on) and are pretty easy to follow. Many of the celebrity makeup tutorials go right into the point or color makeup (eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, etc.). Base makeup (foundation, etc.) is a given in these videos, so keep that in mind. The tutorials range from makeup to hair styling to skin care, so they really give us a well-rounded lesson.

I have to warn you: what these women perform is magic, making these videos highly addictive. Granted, these women are professionals, so their skills are light-years ahead of most of ours. You may not have all the tools and makeup that they use to create these looks, but that doesn't mean there's nothing for us to take away here. Regardless of our own skill level and access to certain products, there is a lot that we can learn from watching these masters perform their art.

Jung Saem Mool and Eat Your Kimchi collaborated to recreate Lee Hyori's look for her "Bad Girls" music video.

Lee Hyori's Original Look from the Music Video


Base Makeup, Contouring, Cheeks and Lip


Eyes


Eyelashes

Wow!

To be honest, I thought I deleted this blog a while ago (not too long after the last post, actually). I found it hiding in my Blogger account just the other day, still getting views. 3½ years later, and it's still hanging on.

Many things have happened since then, so I don't know where I'll end up going with this once I pick it up again. But I do want to pick it up again...  Hopefully, you'll see some new posts from me soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hard Candy Back at Walmart!

Remember when, not too long ago, Hard Candy Cosmetics had their massive sale? It seemed like it was the end of the line for the company, but it's back!

Revamped, Hard Candy is back in business with America's favorite(?) mass retailer to provide consumers with affordable (nothing over $10), edgy make-up (just in time for Halloween!).

The products are available in stores and online.

Some Online Discounts

I hate promoting irresponsible consumerism, especially these days. However, here are a few discount codes for those of you who have been planning to purchase from these brands anyway:

Urban Decay
30% Friends & Family Discount (valid through August 20): FNFF1

Korres
30% Discount, courtesy of Musings of a Muse (valid through September 15): MUSE

These discount codes are only valid on their respective websites (i.e. not at Sephora, Ulta, etc.).

Remember, shop smart!

Budget-friendly Beauty: Jojoba Oil

In the last few years or so, I started developing an interest in natural skincare products. I could go on and on about this topic but, to make a long story short, I got on a "natural, chemical-free" products kick and decided that it would be better for my problem skin in the long run.

This led me to start researching various companies and cosmetics lines for products that were deemed "organic" and "natural" and could help my skin become more healthy. I started out with Dr. Hauschka, then moved onto Zia, and, with a smattering of various other products in between, my last major investment was with Lush. While I loved their skincare products, there was a slight problem with my continued use of them: they are expensive. Dr. Hauschka's products average around $40 each, and the small jars of moisturizers I purchased from Lush are both around $30 each. Yes, it may be worth it to spend a little more money for quality products, but it's no good if you don't have much money to begin with.

My last major "organic," "all-natural" purchase was Josie Maran's argan oil, which was literally a $50 (small) bottle of oil. No additives or "infusions"; just plain oil. Speaking as someone with oily skin, you'd think that using oil as a moisturizer would defeat the purpose of maintaining good skin. Seriously, though, it was probably more effective at balancing out my oily skin than a mattifier or something that was oil-free (don't want to really get into a long discussion, but basically the idea that trying to dry out your skin only makes it produce more oil). In the end, I felt like the bottle of argan oil was a worthy purchase, but probably something that I wouldn't get again.

So, what to do? Was it possible for me to get a decent, natural moisturizer without racking up the credit card debt? Yes, and that answer came in the form of jojoba oil.


I first came across the idea of using plain jojoba oil as a moisturizer on Daniel Kern's Acne.org website. According to many sources, including him, jojoba oil is the closest to your skin's natural oils than are other vegetable oils (which are included in most, if not all moisturizers, "all-natural" or otherwise) and is non-comedogenic (i.e. it won't clog your pores). But the best part is that a 4 oz. bottle only costs around $10, and since I only use 3-5 drops at a time, this will probably last me at least a year.

I've been using jojoba oil for a few months now (after having used argan oil for about 6 months), and my skin continues to feel soft and healthy (well, as healthy as it can be, considering...). Also, since I'm using just the oil, there aren't any additives to irritate my skin, which can happen even with many natural skincare products.

If you're looking for a good, inexpensive moisturizer for your skincare routine, I highly recommend grabbing yourself a bottle of jojoba oil. Even if it doesn't agree with your face, its many other uses (body moisturizer, makeup remover, hair care, etc.) will still make it a good investment.

ByLaurenLuke Cosmetics Available Soon at Sephora!!!

It's been quite a "hwile" since I posted anything on this blog. The usual (work, life, etc.) got in the way, and I just sort of put this on the back burner (waaaaaaay back).

I've come back with a post that is actually about a very inspiring story that I've been following for almost a year now. I don't know how many of you are familiar with Lauren Luke (a.k.a. YouTube beauty vlogger Panacea81). If you aren't, here's a little video that'll catch you up to speed:



Not too long ago, this amazing gal started coming out with her own cosmetics line (available online, at bylaurenluke.com). If I'm not mistaken, they only became available for purchase last Fall (November, I think). Well, it's been less than a year and, lo and behold, her fabulous wares will soon be available at the almighty Sephora!

I'll be honest, these kits are a smidge on the pricey side ($32.50 each), but from the reviews I've read, they are well worth the money. I'm not really keen on palettes (I feel limited by them), but I may take the plunge and grab that "My Smokey Classics" palette I've had my eye on.

In any case, if you haven't already, check out Lauren's makeup tutorials on YouTube, and be sure to swatch her products when they become available at a Sephora near you. No one is more deserving of all this success than her!

Urban Decay 30% Discount

It's that time of year! Enter code FNFS9 at checkout, and get 30% off your entire order from Urban Decay.

If you've signed up to receive newsletters from other skincare/cosmetics companies, you probably noticed that many of them are having similar discount events right now. These are tough times for many, so it's that much more important to shop wisely. Of course, not spending your money at all is the best way to save, but these discounts are great for those things that you "just need to have". They come about twice a year (one right around now and another around Fall), so plan wisely!

Too Faced Vintage Sale

Get all of the older Too Faced items at close to 75% off in their Vintage Super Sale. Lip glosses, eye shadows, brushes, palettes - all for under $20 (and many for under $10)! Can't beat those prices!

The sale ends April 6.

Prescriptives Friends & Family 30% Off

Use promo code FRIEND9 to get 30% off and free shipping on your Prescriptives purchase. This offer is good through Saturday, 3/21.

* And don't forget to hit up Ebates for your 6% cash back!!!

Budget-friendly Beauty: DIY Body Scrub

A day late, I know. Sorry! :-I

Anyway, this time, rather than highlighting a product for purchase, I thought I'd share a little do-it-yourself project with you. I know; very "Martha Stewart" of me.

If you are like me, your bedroom/bathroom/storage closet is abundant with various body creams, butters, milks, and/or lotions. Birthdays, Christmas, random "Thank You" gifts - there's always at least a few people who decide to give you random skin care gift baskets. The problem is, it's always more than you could ever use in your lifetime.


So, what to do with all these bath and body goodies? Well, other than re-gifting them, you can actually put them to use!

You know all those body scrubs you find at the store? Yes, exfoliation is key to good-looking skin, but that stuff is not cheap! Now, you don't have to bother wasting your money on that stuff. You can make your own at home at little to no cost. All you need is that bottle or jar of whatever moisturizer you're trying to get rid of and some sugar (you can use salt if you want, but sugar doesn't sting or irritate your skin like salt can). Some people recommend raw sugar (the stuff that's in those brown packets at Starbucks), but plain white sugar is better for your skin since it's finer in grain (won't be as rough). And, last time I checked, a pound of white sugar only cost a couple of bucks.

In regards to the recipe: mix sugar and moisturizer, and apply like any other body scrub (massage onto skin and rinse). Most recipes recommend one part sugar to one part moisturizer, but since you're the one making it, feel free to use as much of either as you want. Also, I usually mix enough for one application at a time, so I don't know how long it'll keep if you mix the entire thing (although, I assume fairly long due to the amount of sugar needed).

And voilà! Good looking (and feeling!) skin, and you barely have to open your wallet! Happy mixing!