Sulwhasoo workshop review

Because of her contributions to Sulwhasoo's annual sales report, Bubbles was invited to attend a complimentary "Discover the power of Ginseng" workshop yesterday (19 June) at SEVIIN at Tangs. Bubbles had no idea what it would be about (and secretly hoped they would serve a ginseng chicken soup), so she showed up to find this (sans the soup):

Sulwhasoo workshop at the Loft at SEVIIN

Individual seats for participants

You can choose to sit in front of the skincare....

or the makeup.

Bubbles always picks the skincare seat because it's easier to reach the products that way (2 people to 1 set of makeup and skincare). Bubbles is also a germaphobe so she absolutely cannot share makeup. 

The Sulwhasoo compacts (foundation and powder) are brand new (which is awesome) but the lip products, although clean, have been shared before (which is a common practice in beauty workshops). Bubbles has a mental THING about sharing lipsticks and lipgloss because she doesn't know if the previous user squeezed/smeared some onto a cotton bud before applying it on her lips, or whether she applied it directly to her lips. So if this bugs you, bring your own lip product and the only thing you'll worry about catching is the bus. 

Heading the workshop - the perky Chaven Lee

The workshop was informative, with the trainer sharing lots of skincare tips and solutions. Participants could stop her to ask questions at any time, and she answered all of them with a smile (even the grumbly ones). This time, Bubbles took some notes on her phone. With all the bad press about parabens in beauty products, she never knew that her beloved Sulwhasoo products are all paraben-free, or that the First Care Activating Serum could be used as a lip mask.

First Care Serum Lip Mask: Pat one drop of it all over your lips using your finger. Next, use 2 fingers - one at each corner of your mouth - and press down for 3 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Thereafter, place one finger just below the middle of your bottom lip and press down for 3 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Apparently this will reduce double chins. Just do not lick your lips cos it will NOT taste like caramels and strawberries. 

For the full 100 ways you can use the serum, visit: http://www.sulwhasoo.com.sg/en/beauty 

Now meet the stars of the show (from left to right): Concentrated Ginseng Essential Renewing Oil, Capsulized Ginseng Fortifying Serum, Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream.

Of course, no workshop is complete without a product demo - everyone got to try all the products on their faces (ginseng oil was optional). The highlight for Bubbles was trying out one piece of the Snowise EX Whitening mask - this baby costs $16.20 a piece! (And one of the ladies loved it so much she filched the extra next to Bubbles saying "oh I just want to try". Hmmmm. Bubbles went to buy a box of it later.)

$162 for a box of 10. Awesome and calms redness. 

Start with applying the ginseng eye cream after you've loaded up on your basic skincare (cleansing, First Care Serum, Essential Balancing Serum (like a toner) and a mask, if required). Pat in gently with your ring finger because the skin on your eye area is 5x thinner than your face!

A Sulwhasoo skincare post Bubbles did earlier: Click here

The ginseng serum. The sparkles are actually what they call the macro ginsenispheres which release fresh ginseng extract when crushed, forming a protective layer on the skin surface.

The ginseng serum is a rather viscous liquid with small bits in it like grains of sand (looks like the Sulwahsoo ginseng white exfoliating gel). You can crush the little bits to release the ginseng extract. The micro ginsenispheres cannot be seen but penetrate the skin's surface to boost collagen production. The products smells pleasantly of ginseng and absorbs into the skin easily. It hydrates and makes skin feel very smooth to the touch.

Also played with the ginseng oil, but you don't need it unless you have dry skin

Finishing off with the ginseng cream. This alpaca uses cotton buds because hygiene, yo. 

Just because I can. 

The session ended at 9 pm (2 hours) after a Korean-style makeup application demonstration and everyone trooped back to level 1 to claim their door gift, which turned out to be a $20 voucher redeemable with a $200 spend. Bubbles had her paws crossed for a small tube of the ginseng serum (that would have been a fab door gift given the theme of the workshop, and Sulwhasoo workshops are always very generous with samples to take home), but she's not complaining, having tried the wonderful 16-dollar Snowise mask for free. 

And so the day ended with Bubbles buying even more stuff.... 

All in all, the workshop was an informative one, and Bubbles will definitely go for more in the future (this is her 4th!). Sulwhasoo workshops usually require a fee of about $80-$100 which is fully redeemable for products. Remember to take some notes or you'll forget everything after having lunch, especially if numbers are involved!!

Stay tuned for Bubbles and Cuddles' post about the opening of the new Sulwhasoo boutique in Capitol Piazza! 

Innisfree Jejuhouse at Samcheongdong

This is the biggest Alpaca Adventure yet! The alpacas went to Seoul for summer, and though they skipped going to Jeju, they found the only other Innisfree Jejuhouse store in Korea right in the middle of Seoul, in Samcheongdong!

Exclusive products such as the fresh topping packs, Innirang merchandise and diffusers are sold only at this store (outside of Jeju). The store even gives you a lucky coin when you spend 20,000 won (around S$24), which you put into a vending machine to get a little box of samples or coupons. Of course, if you like, you can also keep the coin as a souvenir.

How the fresh topping packs work:

There are 11 different flavours, each packed in a little sachet (W1000 each). Each one has different functions, for example walnut shells are for exfoliating, soybean is for firming and volcanic is for pore cleansing. Most of them are powders, and only the camellia and canola honey are essences. You're supposed to pick any two flavours to mix into the base. There are 2 bases to choose from: creamy or clay (W3000 each). Each base comes in a 15 ml container which is good for 2 uses (use it up within a week for maximum freshness). You could buy a spatula from Innisfree (1000 won) to mix the toppings in, but you could just as easily use something from your kitchen. They recommend adding just 2 toppings so that your skin can absorb it all. Do not use 2 essence-type toppings together or it may get too oily.

 Other exclusive merchandise (notebooks, bags etc.)

Lucky box!

Coins for the lucky box

The other highlight of this store is the cafe which serves organic food on the 2nd and 3rd floors. They have a good selection of drinks, cakes, tarts, and soup which comes with bread. The food is really nice and it's organic, if you happen to be a health-conscious alpaca. The cafe overlooks Samcheongdong street and is located opposite a popular Samcheongdong Sujebi restaurant. It was not crowded on both days the alpacas had lunch there, even during the usual lunch hours.

Order at the 2nd floor

2nd floor

2nd floor

3rd floor

View from the 3rd floor

Citrus Sudachi cake (W6000)

Pumpkin tart

Potato soup with walnut bread (W8000)

The store sells various types of fruit jam and tea as well.

The only thing to take note of is that this store does not offer tax refunds for tourists, so you might not want to do all your shopping here -- just the exclusive products. They also don't carry make-up and some of the other products you usually find in other stores.

The store is located along Samcheongdong's cafe street, and is actually along the course of the Bukchon Hanok Village walk, according to the map you can get from tourist information booths in the area. Make a right turn after you come down from the stone steps. It is across the road from a Samcheongdong Sujebi restaurant which always has a queue outside.
Address: 104 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02-734-0585
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Alpacas out and about (Innisfree, Etude, SK-II hauls)

Bubbles is back with the beauty blogging!

It has been a busy December/January for this alpaca, but Bubbles managed to squeeze in some hauling with Cuddles. Bubbles will do the mask post (on pain of death, and Cuddles will ensure it will be a very painful death too) after this post.

Masks from Innisfree at $2 a piece.... Bubbles is excited about all the flavors. Cuddles says the Bija one is very good, but Bubbles has her eye on uncommon things like BROCOLI and GOLDEN KIWI. 

Haul from Etude House last Sunday The alpacas picked up loads of masks for face and hair.

From left to right at the front row, we have the Sunshine Spoon yoghurt (raspberry) pack ($2.90), the I Need You mask packs (honey and yoghurt) at $6.90 for 4 pieces, and the Moonlight in Spoon sleeping mask pack in blueberry ($2.90). At the back row, from left to right, we have a free lamp (lucky dip), a free moistful set (GWP if you spend $40) and 2 silk scarf hair masks. They keep Bubbles' fur shiny. Finally, a juicy cocktail gradation nail (3 polishes) in Peach Crush, at 50% off (normally retails for around $12.90, if Bubbles' memory serves).

An SK-II bee somehow found its way into Bubbles' bonnet last Sunday. Bubbles got the $99 facial treatment essence set, which has 75ml of the famed Facial Treatment Essence, enough Facial Clear Lotion (a toner) to last for 2 weeks and an SK-II facial treatment mask. Bubbles also got samples of a spot lightening gel, intensive pitera concentrate, and sunblock. Some of the samples were for Cuddles but she has turned them over to the elder alpaca. The elder alpaca is supremely concerned that her skin age is THIRTY-ONE (as analysed by SK-II's magic ring), given that she's only twenty-four!

So anyway, exactly a wek later, the bee buzzed again and Bubbles bought the SK-II Stempower Cream set ($149) which has 50ml of creamy goodness, a small bottle of Facial Treatment Essencce, n anti-ageing mask and 10 pieces of cotton wool. The Facial Treatment Essence and its friends are working well!

Luxuriating in the SK-II goodness. A post on Bubbles' SK-II experience shall follow in about a month.

Toodles! Now to do that mask post!

I Like Innisfree, Says Cuddles

Innisfree opened in Singapore. The alpacas went to Innisfree.

Left to right: Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit (gift with $50 purchase), Welcome kit for members with some samples inside, No Sebum Mineral Powder ($10), Wine Jelly Peeling Softener ($17), Cotton wool (gift with $50 purchase), assorted capsule masks ($3-4 each), Gel liner in 09 Black ($11).

A closer look if you like

The green tea set has green tea seed serum x6, green tea pure skin x1, green tea pure lotion x1, green tea pure sleeping pack x1 and green tea pure cream x1. So far, Cuddles has tried the eyeliner, which glides on easily (good) but a little heavy on the glitter. Cuddles has also been using the wine jelly peeling softener daily and it smells so heavenly. It is gentle enough to be used daily, said the Innisfree lady. Use a cotton pad to apply it on a clean alpaca face and then rinse off with water or proceed on to toner. Makes your skin nice and smooth. There isn't much in the store that Cuddles doesn't like. Next on Cuddles' to-try list is the soybean finish cream which smells nice and beany and fresh. 

Bubbles will discuss the capsule masks when she has tried them all. Look out for her massive mask collection post!

Shiseido Warehouse Sale

What an amazing adventure the alpacas had yesterday! Bubbles and Cuddles went to the Shiseido sale at Orchard Building. We went nice and early at 9am and waited patiently in line for the sale to start at 10. Well, it was an experience, seeing Ettusais, Shiseido, NARS, Cle de Peau, and others at half-price. The range was quite limited but the sales staff were all helpful and knowledgeable. And now for the exciting bit- the haul.

Bubbles got herself Cle de Peau Beaute's luminising face enhancer in 11 and 12. These are refills but they come in little plastic containers that keep well. Bubbles got both because she couldn't decide which she liked better. Each was $45, down from the counter price of $95 ($140 with the case). Bubbles' best buy!

Bubbles also got some ettusais goodies cheap: the lip essence (little twin stars limited edition no less) and the juicy berry shower cologne. The lip essence was $15, down from $31 and the cologne $10, down from $22. The items all expire in 2016-2017, not much different from those sold at counters. Whoopee!

Cuddles spent more time at the ettusais counter. She also got a lip essence and shower cologne (sometimes alpacas don't like to share), and an aqua splash OB (oil block). As she was paying she spotted new stock arriving and caught a glimpse of blue. What could that be? Shiseido's Pureness line! 3 step skincare in a box, $25! The usual price is $50. The alpaca made a quick decision.

In summary, here are the savings the alpacas had today. Original price in brackets.
Cle de Peau enhancer $45 ($95)
Ettusais lip essence $15 ($31)
Ettusais shower cologne $10 ($22)
Ettusais aqua splash OB $15 ($29)
Shiseido Pureness 1-2-3 Set $25 ($50)
Total savings: $195

The alpacas will make this a must-go sale from now.

Sulwhasoo Skincare Regime

Greetings, alpacas! Bubbles will be sharing her Sulwhasoo stash and skincare regime today.

Bubbles is the proud owner of 8 full-sized Sulwhasoo products and she certainly hopes to acquire more. Introducing her babies, from left to right:

(1) Sulwhasoo Snowise EX White Ginseng Exfoliating Gel - 80 ml/$68

Bubbles bought this about 2 weeks ago. This is an exfoliating gel that contains little ginseng bits. It is gentle enough to be used daily (as the ginseng bits are extremely soft), and Bubbles uses it nightly after her makeup remover and cleanser. Bubbles squeezes out a generous dollop and massages it all over her mien for about 2 minutes. She then rinses it off to reveal brighter skin with minimized pores. For alpacas looking for a scrub with hard scrubby bits in it (e.g. apricot kernels, walnut shell) to have that feeling, this isn't the scrub for you. However, it does a good job with brightening up the complexion, and the smell is oh-so-luxurious. Cuddles also uses it, and her preliminary thoughts are that it seems to lighten scars.

(2) First Care Activating Serum - 60 ml/$106

Bubbles has been using this for about 2 months, and about 3/8 of her bottle is left. Bubbles now uses two pumps every morning and night for her mien (previously she would only use this at night). The serum is light and not sticky, with a refreshing herb-y smell. It looks like runny honey. This alpaca does not know how good the serum is on its own, as she layers lots of product over it. However, the serum promises to enhance the absorption of subsequent skincare products, and Bubbles has nothing to complain about this!

(3) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Toner - 150ml/$68

Bubbles has been using this for about a month, and has about half a bottle left. Bubbles uses it morning and night, after cleansing and before applying the First Care Activating Serum. Bubbles is quite liberal with this, putting 4 drops on a cotton pad and wiping her face. This toner is supposed to lift off any remaining gunk on Bubbles' face after cleansing, and so far it lives up to its claims.

(4) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Serum - 60 ml/$148

Bubbles has been using this for about 1.5 months in the mornings, before she started using the Herblinic ampoules in the mornings (they are not to be layered). Bubbles likes the Hydro-aid line because it's lighter than the Essential line (Bubbles finds that the Essential line has a heavier texture, so she saves it for night use - the other Sulwhasoo lines like Timetreasure are meant for more mature skin). The serum is white and creamy (it is an opaque white, not clear), and it is absorbed quickly once applied. Together with the lifting cream, it really hydrates the skin.

(5) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Cream - 50 ml/$132

Bubbles has also been using this for about 1.5 months, in the mornings. For the past two weeks, she has replaced the hydro-aid products in the morning with the Herblinic ampoule (more on this later). Sometimes, Bubbles skips this step (i.e. toner + serum + sunblock + makeup), but makeup always applies better when Bubbles uses the cream as well (no flaky bits).

(6) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting UV Protection Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ - 50 ml/$68

Bubbles has been using this for about 2 months, in the mornings. She applies it after her skincare, and before makeup. The sunblock gives Bubbles' face a slightly oily look (but it is not oily), although it isn't anything some powder can't fix. This sunblock smells great (herbsy) and provides a smooth canvas for makeup to go over. Primers and/or makeup applied over the sunblock do not slip/slide off the face after a long day.

(7) Herblinic Restorative Ampoules (7 ml x 5) - $248

These ampoules are highly concentrated skincare meant to refine the skin after about 2 months of continued usage (each ampoule is supposed to last for 12 days and has little markings for each day to show how much product is left). Bloggers out there say that they are good for acne prone skin, as well as for refining pores. Bubbles was sold onto this concept and thus bought some to try. Bubbles has used it for about a month, and is on to her 2nd bottle (the first bottle lasted for about 2.5 weeks, mainly because Bubbles only used it at night).

Bubbles now uses it day and night, one pump at a time (but two if she's feeling indulgent). Bubbles hasn't yet seen the effects of the ampoules, but that could be because she's only 1/5 her way through them. However, Bubbles loves it when her skin is looking angry after she's removed all the gunk from her pores... after application, skin looks calmer after 5 minutes.

 

A note to alpacas out there: the ampoule essence is thick, and takes longer to sink into the face, so it leaves a stickier feeling compared to the hydro-aid serum and cream (which was why Bubbles didn't want to use it in the mornings). However, this can be resolved if (1) alpacas press their paws to their face after applying the ampoule essence, so that it is absorbed into the face faster, and (2) alpacas wait about 10-20 minutes after applying the ampoule essence before putting on makeup (which means waking up earlier). The latter suggestion is less attractive to Bubbles, simply because sleep is worth its weight in gold!

(8) Sulwhasoo Skin Clarifying Mask - 150 ml/$60

Bubbles can't say enough nice things about this mask. After receiving 2 samples, Bubbles went and bought the full-sized version. This is a peel off mask that is extremely sticky when wet (long-haired alpacas should be mindful to keep their hair out of their faces because it is a bitch to remove from hair), but dries to a thin film which you peel off from forehead to chin. This alpaca loves to peel it, and her mien is bright and glowing and SO SOFT to the touch after the mask is removed. Her pores are also minimized (what pores?).

 

(9) 3 assorted samples

 



The other 3 items are the Essential Balacing Water (sample - 15 ml), Essential Balancing Emulsion (sample - 15 ml) and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (sample - 5 ml). Bubbles hasn't bought the full sized products yet, mainly because she can live off the samples that come with every purchase (she has another 3 sets of the essential water and emulsion, and 2 more pots of the ginseng cream).

Essential Balancing Water - 125 ml / $68: This is the toner in the Essential Line - it is quite viscous, compared to the Hydro-aid toner, which is like water. A most unromantic way to describe its texture would be that of 'runny mucus'', but hey, whatever works! This sinks in to the skin almost immediately after application. If Bubbles is feeling lazy she sometimes skips the next step. Bubbles also puts on the Balancing Water before putting on the clarifying mask (#8).

Essential Balancing Emulsion - 125 ml / $78: Bubbles puts this on after the water. She prefers the scent of the Hydro-aid line, as it has more of a refreshing zing (like a citrus fruit).

Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream - 60 ml / $276: Bubbles has been told by the Sulwhasoo Beauty Advisors that this cream and the Ginseng Oil may be too rich for her twenty-something skin. so she does not slather it all over her face. Instead, Bubbles uses the Ginseng Cream to treat spots. If one has picked at a spot, it looks less angry after a night of ginseng cream. Any dark scars seem to fade away faster too (in about 2 days' time). Bubbles will probably live off Ginseng Cream samples because the full-size is incredibly spendy for a spot treatment, and Bubbles will never be able to use it up before the expiry date.

 

(1) Bubbles' current day & night routine

 

From left to right, in order of usage: (1) Hydro-aid toner (this goes on first), (2) First Care Activating Serum, followed by (3) Herblinic Ampoule (1 pump), and then (4) Hydro-aid sunblock. Skip the sunblock at night. Makeup goes on after the sunblock.

 

(2) Bubbles' previous day routine

 

This was before Bubbles switched to using the Herblinic ampoules in the morning as well. From left to right, in order of usage: (1) Hydro-aid toner, (2) First Care Activating Serum, (3) Hydro-aid serum, (4) Hydro-aid cream, (5) Hydro-aid sunblock. The smells are delicious! 

 

(3) Exciting extras

 

From left to right, in order of usage: Bubbles uses the (1) Ginseng exfoliating gel in the shower, followed by (2) the First Care Activating Serum and (3) the Essential Balancing Water. She then applies a thick gloopy layer of the (4) Skin Clarifying Mask, waits for 20 minutes, then peels it off and applies (5) the Herblinic Restorative Ampoule. Alpacas who do not use this intensive treatment can use (6) the Essential Balancing Lotion after removing the mask. Then go to sleep, waking up to glowing skin. The skin clarifying mask should only be used twice a week.

 

Toodles, alpacas! For those of you who only saw the first line of this post published earlier - Bubbles sends her apologies your way, and much love for your patience, as she was doing a test post because Blogger kept telling her that there were problems publishing/saving her draft. Bubbles will not let a lengthy post go unsaved! Have a funday Sunday!