How I Got My Morning Skincare Routine Down to 10 Minutes…

In Korea, I worked later in the day and always took time for a long morning routine. Now, I leave my house at 6.40am and do NOT have the ability to get up at 5.45am simply to fit in a multi-step routine. So, I was faced with the challenge of getting my routine down to around 10 minutes. And somehow, I’ve done it! Please bear in mind, I don’t have children or other things in my life to be concerned with in the morning, and I appreciate a lot of you guys may not have it this simple. Here’s what I do.

(A lot of these products were gifted to me by companies at various times- they are included here simply because I use them frequently. Gifted products are highlighted by an asterisk)

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K-Beauty Dos and Don’ts for Beginners

K-Beauty beginner? Overwhelmed?

Feel as if you’re free-falling in a world of magical lotions, snail slime and kitty ear headbands?

You’re in the right place. Being a K-Beauty beginner is all fun and games until you’ve spent all your cash on all of the stuff, which doesn’t seem to working, and now you’re left wondering what all the fuss was about that ‘must have’ cream that came in a pink-princess-castle-shaped container. 

So here are some dos and don’ts, to try and ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes I, and many along with me, have made when first getting started in the wonderful world of Korean cosmetics.

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My Updated Korean Skincare Routine and Notes for Beginners

I decided it was time to do an updated post about my Korean style skincare routine! (If you’re interested here are the links to my March 2016 morning routine and night time routine posts..some things have changed, some haven’t! I also discuss a little more on the ideas behind a Korean skincare routine in that morning routine post).

In this post, I’ve laid out all of my steps (EDIT: “products I’m currently using” are outdated; my most current routine is available and kept up-to-date on this page), day and night, and I’ve added some little explanations of each step for those of you who might be new to K-Beauty. I don’t use all of these products all the time. I approach my skincare on a daily basis according to my skins needs (and time restraints), so some days I may use 10 products, and on other days only 3. The most important thing about beginning a skincare routine is knowing your aims, and choosing products to suit those aims. With my skin type (normal-combination, with redness and heat) I’m looking for hydration without heaviness, brightening, calming and evening skintone. Others look for acne solutions, or intense moisturizing. The aims can differ slightly day to day, and I adjust my routine to suit my daily needs. Having a flexible routine to address your needs is what k-skincare philosophy is all about.

Also, remember I’m a skincare blogger and I have waaay more products than the average person honestly needs! This isn’t my whole stash, only the stuff I’m regularly reaching for right now. So let’s get stuck in ‘cos this isn’t gonna be short…

*Some of the products mentioned in this post were provided by individuals or companies for my consideration to review. These will be individually disclosed in the text.

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