August Favorites : Korean Makeup for the Sick and Tired

SUMMER'S GONE.

No, seriously, here I am, proud owner of glittery summer edition eyeshadows and bold coral lipsticks but the world tells me to stop and reconsider.

Before I get lost in comfortable autumn clothes and colors, here's a look back at my August favorites!

My Korean Makeup Picks for August

Where July was a month with some free days (my brother visiting me in Korea, a lull in pressing deadlines and gorgeous weather calling from outside) that had me use my spare time to actually dress and groom, August was on the dull side beauty-wise.

I'm really trying with photography. :'D

Most of the time was spent at my desk working, and as it was hot and humid and I was lazy, I didn't even move my stuff into the Cafe (our house consists of a private part and a public Bistro/Coffeeshop/Bar). The only reasons I had to apply any sort of makeup was when I helped out in the Cafe or took the bicycle to visit friends. My August favorites are thus: The most fool-proof, simple, lazy Korean beauty products I own.

Innisfree CC Color Control 'Real Skin CC Cream SPF 30 PA++' 

CC cream is my go-to solution when I want something more than just sun protection, but don't want to bother with actual coverage. I use this CC cream by Innisfree since last year, and I love it. Duh.

Out of the pump it's a thick, white cream, but when spread and slightly massaged into the skin it changes into a shade that just slightly evens out and brightens the skin. I usually use half a pump for my entire face, layering under my eyes to cover my dark circles.

This is maybe a quarter pump? 

This CC cream gives the skin an overall even look and some sun protection while looking completely natural. At the end of the day, there's no blocked pores and it's even calming on red spots. For me, it's more like skin care, and I have no bad conscience leaving it on until late hours while working.

Though, I repeat, it doesn't really provide coverage.

CLIO Kill Brow Tattoo Pen

Eyebrows. Oh, what a struggle they can be. On days I get them right, I most definitely will just be sitting at my desk without anyone to appreciate them. On days I don't get them right.... well, that's what a fringe is for. *covers frantically*

A 'tattoo' eyebrow pen is perfect for me. The one by Clio (kinda strangely named 'Kill Brow' which gives me serious 'Kill Bill' feels) actually stays visible all through the NEXT day, too, and it's just overall convenient as it's waterproof, sweatproof (fringe...), life-proof and whatever else. I got this one during an online sale and am happy with the shade #1 I picked, a very neutral, cool-toned brown.

Ginger Sugar Tint Lip Balm #1

Tinted Lipbalms. I hated those back in Switzerland, where I only ever used the Labello ones. They melted, the strawberry scent threw me off and the color stayed on for about the time it took me to apply.

But I've been reaching for this rose shade of the Ginger Sugar Tint Lip Balm by Aritaum a lot. It's a gorgeous color, a my-lips-but-better shade for me, it stays on reasonably long for a lipbalm, is moisturizing and has sturdy packaging.

It's really a color that can do no wrong, even if applied messily without a mirror. I also use it on days when I applied lipstick or liptint to, after a few hours have gone by, freshen up the left-over color. It also works as a moisturizer on top of more drying lip products.

Just a very versatile, no-nonsense lip product.

Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge in #9

An all-time favorit of mine is this Vivid Tint Rouge by Innisfree. I actually bought this back when I still lived in Switzerland and had to order online (ahaha good old times) and it was my very first Korean purchase.

.............. which puts a kind of disgusting age of four years on this baby. I should really throw it out - but on the other hand, neither texture nor scent seem to have changed at all, so I kind of just want to use it all up.

I own it in the shade #9, 민들레꽃 코랄 / Dandelion Coral. It's quite long-lasting, but has a much more natural look to it than the Aritaum Color Lasting Tint I reviewed last time. Its pigmentation is lower in comparison but the shade works really well for an everyday look.

Right: Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge in #9 Dandelion Coral
Left: Aritaum Ginger Sugar Tint Lip Balm in #1

Left: Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge in #9 Dandelion Coral
Right: Aritaum Ginger Sugar Tint Lip Balm in #1

Just this summer Innisfree revamped the Vivid Tint Rouge line, so when I repurchase (which I will) I'll be really curious to see how the new ones compare to the old formulations! I'm a bit scared that the colors will be too bright - I love how the shade I own looks so natural on my lips. I'd say either #1 or #2 would be the closest fit to my old-version #9. The new packaging does look neat, though!

Official Swatches of the new version. Found here.

That's it already for the makeup products!

Another reason why I wasn't experimenting all that much during August was a seafood-allergy-incident. I just don't feel like putting even a hint of foundation or color on my face if touching the skin around my jaw/mouth hurts and is bumpy.

I did prevent the worst from happening all over my face after accidentally eating noodle soup that had clams in it by massaging it all away, but I was mostly feeling blah for a week anyway.

This comic strip is old but still oh so relevant. I'll never learn. Never.

As far as book/tv/movie/anything favorites go...

I worked on a 'Science Fiction' (ok, mostly Romance? I don't even know.) story for the better part of the last two years. During that time, I really tried to avoid the genre to not be influenced left and right. 

Now though? I've got a whole to-watch-to-read list with the title 'Sci Fi Party' on top.

My favorit audiobook during August was 'Leviathan Wakes', the first book of 'The Expanse' series. I picked it up because it will be adapted for television and I like to read first, watch later. 

Despite not really liking the main viewpoint character of this series (I'm already deep into book two by now) I LOVED the descriptions. Seriously. Twenty hours of someone talking about space and gravity and survival? I'll listen with starry eyes.

A good, suspenseful and escalating plot kinda helped, too. Also, space zombies.

Some late-night sketching of Kara Thrace 'Starbuck' and Sharon Valerii 'Boomer'.
Need to add Laura Roslin for my favorite BSG ladies, though.

Also, I'm currently rewatching all of Battlestar Galactica. All-time favorite series and characters and everything. 

When re-watching something while drawing that I've previously watched while drawing, it's like puzzle pieces are being put together. I look up at different parts and feel like I've never even seen this show before. :'D

ON THAT STRANGE geeky note, that's my August favorites! What's yours? How fast did August blow by??

  

Also, I'm growing watermelons. Look at my precious baby.