Hello everyone!

I feel terrible - my posts are not coming as frequently as I would like to. It's winter now so taking photos for the clothes I have ordered is a little harder, I'm scared I will freeze. But it will happen!

There will be a lot of reviews coming up since I've been holidays and worked a lot - and then went on a little shopping spree, whoops. But I was incredibly motivated to order new skincare products and try them out as soon as possible to see if they make a difference. I am writing this post to kind of introduce that idea onto this blog - that I will be trying lots new products and reviewing my progress. That way you will know what to expect.

I remember clearly sitting in History class in high school and had two girls complimented my skin, and how also, I've always dubbed my cheeks as those 'rosy red cheeks', without realizing how much care my skin actually needed. I am grateful for the skin I have, but I am now realising that skin change over time depending on how you treat it. With all the research I have done, I realize how much I now want to improve: my clogged  pores, managing my combination/sensitive skin (which is one of the worst skin types) and trying to solve the issue of my flushed cheeks, which I don't even know the condition of.

I mean, it doesn't hurt to try? Especially, since what I find to solve my problems, I can share that and help other who have the same problems.

So! I have decided to try different products and change my routine to see if I notice a difference, which will take time to see, but if I do, I want to share it in case it will help someone else!

Right now I am trying/going to try:

MIZON: All In One Snail Repair Cream

The Face Shop: Rice Water Cleansing Oil

Etude House: Wonder Pore Freshner Toner

SKINFOOD: Argan Oil Hair Treatment Mask this isn't skincare but I want to look after my hair too)

TONYMOLY: Pocket Bunny Moist Mist

SKINFOOD: Egg White Pore Foam

I am looking to try some charcoal/volcanic clay masks, some new moisturizers and essences. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know! But I wanted to write this post to make a star ton my skin journey~

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hi, everyone! ♥ 

After ordering the Apricot Rose Print Flare Skirt, and loved it (see my review here), I thought I had to get it's monochrome equivalent, the Black Rose Print Flare Skirt!

Black Rose Print Flare Skirt

Size I ordered: Medium

Measurements: Length (46 cm) Waist (76 cm)

I decided to order the black one as well since, well, black goes with everything, and I thought it would be perfect for circumstances where you need to look professional and classy. I wore my apricot skirt to interviews and felt that a black one would have been more suitable.

Quality: I was actually surprised when I grabbed the skirt out of its packet that it was so smooth and shiny. I don't remember having that reaction with the previous skirt, maybe because this one is a dark colour so it might be more noticeable?

But, yes, this skirt again is fantastic! Since it was shipped in a packet and the material is stiff (to give it flare), it did come crumpled, but I expected that. Nothing a bit of ironing can't fix! I was going to wash it before wearing it anyway.

Overall: I am very happy with this skirt! It's a good length with plenty of flare and the material is of good quality and is so pretty. It might need ironing after each wash, but it's worth it. I give it a 5/5 rating!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone! ♥ 

I've been on the hunt for a good suspender skirt for quite some time now, so I decided to give it a shot at Sheinside! At first, I was going to order a different skirt from this one but it was sold out just as I put my order through and had to exchange it for the Navy Strap Flare Denim Skirt, which I didn't mind doing. since it looked better in the pictures.


Navy Strap Flare Denim Skirt:

Size I ordered: Medium

Measurements: Length (87 cm) Waist (66-86 cm) Hips (96 cm)

Sorry, I don't have pictures of how it arrive since my brother opened it up before I got home. But it's much the same as in my previous Sheinside review. The shipping was reasonable, even though I had issues with the order that I stated up the top, this skirt arrived before the other Black Rose Print Skirt I ordered.

Quality: I was very much excited to finally get a suspender skirt, but, I feel somewhat disappointed. The style of this skirt wasn't what I expected, I thought it would have more flare and be longer. Maybe it's just because of how it looks on me, but the design just seems a little awkward for something that should a suspender skirt. It's quite tight and short, and only flares at the bottom. Since the title said, flare skirt, I assumed it meant the whole skirt would flare out.

Also, I had to poke a hole through the straps and use the metal clips for the other end when in the photo it gave the impression that both ends of the strap had holes. I was a little confused them, either it's just that or the wrong straps were sent. But, the quality of the material is durable and comfy.

 I don't think I will wear it since it just doesn't suit me at all, but maybe that's just me and my body. not the skirt. From the back you can see how I had to yolo the straps.

Overall: I was a bit disappointed with the product and I haven't brought myself to wear it out yet. But the quality of the material was great and I think it would perfectly suit a more petite girl than I am! I would rate it a 2/5, personally.

Update: I ended up giving the skirt away to a younger girl I know since I can't bring myself to wear this :')

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello everyone! Long time no see~

This post will be a review for my purchase of Vixx Single Album Vol. 5 -  BOYS' RECORD from KPOP Mart.

I was so excited to order another KPOP Album and it was hard to decide on what website to use since there were mixed reviews for so many of them. I ordered the album but it also came with a free poster if I wanted it, so of course I said yes! They give options with some of their albums as to whether you want the poster folded or in a tube, which is nice. I chose to have it in a tube.

It took a a few days for the order to shipped and when they did they sent an email with pictures showing the packages, which was really nice since it's reassuring to see proof. The other picture had my details on it so I can't include it here~

The shipping took a few weeks, as I expected, but when it did arrive I was a little concerned at how the package looked: 

But I imagine it was the customs checking to see what is inside, only to find a KPOP album and poster.When I took it out the packaging this is what it looked like:

They included some pictures that were printed out as well as the photo card inside the album. The poster was in great condition, but it's a large poster that was printed out on paper, not the official poster on shiny paper.

Everything came in perfect condition and at a reasonable cost. I have nothing bad to say, but I'm not sure if other websites would have provided a different type of poster. Making a decision on what website to use depends on those preferences.

I will shop from KPOP Mart again in the future since it seems to be the one with the best prices, but I would like to hear about other websites and how their products are. Let me know, if have any feedback!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone!

So, I'm not sure why I decided to write this post, haha, I was kind of lying in bed thinking about this great post I read on tumblr about the difference between admiring a culture and appropriating a culture, and wondered how much of this I have witnessed.

Personally, I come from two cultural backgrounds and am now delving into many more through my study of my third language, and I love it when people ask about the values and the different things that make up my culture.

But, since I have an interest in the in the Japanese and Korean culture, it's easy for me to interact with other people and see how other people express this interest.

Firstly, it says here:

“Cultural appropriation is taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else’s culture without permission. This can include the unauthorized use of another culture’s dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. It’s most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways, or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. sacred objects.” (Susan Scafidi)

I think the issue a lot of people see is that a group of people might use a culture and their values as 'accessories' or a 'background for fantasies', rather than using the language, costume or other values as I way to respect the people and the country.
Appropriating it inappropriately, might promote the culture in a different or negative way, disrespect the culture, or as I said before, certain aspects of the culture is being used just because the person thinks it is 'cool'. 

Two videos come to mind when I think about this, and that's Katy Perry's performance of "Unconditionally" at the American Music Awards:

 and Avril Lavigne's "Hello Kitty" music video:

Since I remember a lot of comments pointing out 'cultural appropriation' and 'racism', as it promoted stereotypes and the Japanese culture was used as an accessory for their music. Even though, I thought Katy's performance was really pretty ._.

But, in my own experience, but it irks be when I see the word "kawaii" or "baka" thrown about just like that. I've also seen how girls I know seem to be completely obsessed with Asian boys purely because of their interest in anime and KPOP. I'm only using one culture as an example, but it's not just that gets thrown about, significant things belonging to other cultures are being used as fashion accessories, and as soon as they do, it's considered 'cool', especially if they were looked down upon before they were appropriated.

The difference between appreciating or admiring a culture and appropriating it, depends a lot about the context, for example, if you are wearing a national costume just because you think it looks cool, that's appropriating, but wearing it to pay your respect or because you've been invited to partake in that culture (for example, a wedding), that's appreciating the culture.

I think if we appreciate different cultures more, it'll promote a lot more understand and a better relationship between countries.

But, it's so hard to know the difference these days, as the line in between is very fine. I am no expert , of course, but it is hard to not notice when people take it too far these days. What are your thoughts?

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone~

I just wanted to write a quick post to say that, because of this university semester coming to an end soon, I have been pouring a lot of my time into finishing off assignments and studying for exams. So, my posts are coming a bit slowly.

BUT!

I have so many posts coming up! Lots of reviews on beauty products and clothing stores are in the process of being written, so there will be something up in the near future. Keep a look out!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello everyone~

I have watched quite a few videos related to Korean and Japanese skincare products, and one that has incredibly positive reviews and feedback, is the Cure Natural Aqua Gel!

I have wanted to try this product for so long and see what exactly everyone is on about, and finally I did!

After all, a gel like product that you rub into your skin and the dead skin just comes off? Obviously I had to try it out and see.

When I looked at the bottle, I was a bit worried that I would use it up quickly, but a few pumps of it actually lasts for the whole face so I don't think it will run out anytime soon. That, and the fact that it's not good to vigorously exfoliate your skin everyday so I won't be using it every day, so that'll make it last longer as well.

One of the great things about this product is that, although I use a scrub every week to exfoliate, I find that scrubs don't work well with around the nostrils of my nose, if you know what I mean, the crevices. That area has always been a problem area for me and I could never properly scrub it - but this wonder did the trick! Since it's a gel, it obviously can easily get into every nook and cranny of your face, so my face was properly exfoliated! Yay!

Sorry if you didn't want to see a photo of my face with the skin, when I was looking through reviews, personally, I wanted to see photos.

I don't know how this product works, but it must be magic. It's very gentle and refreshing on the skin, which is great for an exfoliate, and did a great job in removing dead skin and smoothing out my skin. So far, my skin hasn't had any major break outs since using it as well.

I'm really happy with this purchase and I think I'll be using it in the future!

Have any of you tried this product? Do you know any other products that work well for the skin? Let me know!

Enjoy life!

Nina