New Year, New Blog!

Just a reminder, the blog's url has changed from mytangledmusings.blogspot.ca. You can find the new blog at casualncouture.blogspot.ca. Happy New Year!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Etude House – Honey Cera Line Review

Along with the Snowy Dessert collection I reviewed last week, Etude House also sent their new Honey Cera skincare line. The line boasts the use of honey to moisturize, ceramides to heal and repair the skin barrier so as to retain moisture, and immortelle flower essence to firm. The trial set includes a toner, emulsion, eye serum, and a cream.

Now, Korea's winter is a bit dry (not as dry as Calgary's, but definitely dry enough to feel and see a difference in my skin). Not only that, but the dermatologist put me on a super low dose of accutane again as he thought my topical retinoid was too irritating. So basically, I have dry skin, with a compromised moisture barrier. The Honey Cera line should, in theory be perfect for me.

Take a Cue from the Kids

Photos by Mike Masulli

My students have some super cute style. I'm sure they pick whatever without much though, or their parents help (they definitely help when the girls have cute bows tied around their necks with their scarves). Anyways, a lot of my kids like to wear their skirts or dresses over jeggings or jeans. And maybe a sweater over the dress. We're getting to that magical four layers I need to stay warm, now aren't we? Hey, when inspiration hits, take note. Even if you are looking at six-year olds for fashion inspiration.

Merry Christmas and a Bit of News

Firstly, Merry Christmas everyone! This has been an exciting year for me with many new opportunities!

Etude House - Snowy Dessert Collection Review

Hi everyone! I have some exciting news to share with you! I've been chosen to participate in Etude House's international blogger program! Etude House makes some of the best Korean roadshop makeup products I've tried (you can read my reviews on their primer and lip tint), and since arriving in Korea, it's been my go-to shop for makeup. 

This month, Etude House sent me a few pieces from their Snowy Dessert Christmas collection to test and review, as well as their new Honey Cera collection. Unfortunately, the blush they sent shattered during transportation (despite the bubble wrap and paper fluff in the box), but everything else arrived intact and ready to experiment with. Etude House also sent a mini magazine full of makeup and skincare tips, and a guide to the best desserts in Seoul (so you can see, I'm excited).

Let's get started shall we?!

Cozy Cuddles

Photos by Joseph Wood

I am an infinitely lazy person. Weekends are do nothing days for me. I lounge around, and if I really feel energetic, I go for brunch at the local cafe (honey, camembert and olive paninis are amazing) to get some social interaction and hopefully get some reading and work done. Normally, I also make my friends take the blog photos after, so I have a reason to get dressed (it's cold, and getting out of my fuzzy pajamas isn't exactly high on my list on priorities).

Now, being the lazy person I am, and having most of my brunch crew out of town, last weekend, I decided the best thing to do was change out of my pajamas, into some not quite pajamas. 

Layer up

I've discovered the secret to keeping warm in Korea. 

Layer up, and layer lots (more than you think!). Seriously though, I end up wearing four layers (not including a jacket) if I really want to stay warm (bonus, four layers means I don't even really need a jacket). Light layers is the way to go so that nothing is bulky - everything underneath my sweater is super thin cotton or viscose. Looser clothing also works better at retaining the heat. A cotton tank, viscose blouse, long vest and a sweater to top it all off. On colder days, tights or leggings underneath jeans is a must as well. 

Modern Retro

This fall we've seen the return of 70's style. Suede (everything), a-line skirts (in suede, of course!), flared jeans and wide legged culottes, and all boots, whether they be just above the ankle or over the knees. I must admit, while I'm not a fan of mod, I am loving this retro revival. Paired with a classic turtle neck and Burberry trench, retro can easily be made modern.

Autumnal Nude

Photos by Mike Masulli and Joseph Wood

As my surroundings gain more and more colour, I seem to be losing it. With winter fast approaching, I'm drawn to lighter neutrals, stocking up on beiges, creams and blush. I suppose it's one way to deny the colder, greyer weather.

Cozy in Lace

Photos by Becca Ann

 Hello from Gongju! 

It's freezing here. I'm from Canada, and I thought I could deal with the Korean winters. Turns out I can't, because they're a lot wetter. The cold just clings to you and never seems to leave. As a result, I have a newfound love of knitwear – something I usually skipped in favour of a good wool coat back in Calgary. 

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – Andy & Debb

Designers Kim Seok Won and Yoon Won Jung designed an entire collection around golfwear. Golf. Seriously. And it worked. I liked it (I hate sports, and sportswear so this is a plus one in my books). 

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – J Koo

Sports, lace, water colour prints. That's what J Koo was all about this season. Lace, frills and pleating were strategically placed to give a feminine, almost lingerie feel to otherwise sporty looks. Paired with oversized anoraks, soft jersey dresses and jumpsuits, the bustier details created a perfect balance between separate pieces as well a coherence amongst the rest of the collection.

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – Ultimo SS16

Designer Kim Dong Soon of Ultimo proves fashion is all about the details.

The show started off with gorgeous feathered masks among sheer black tops with gorgeous beadwork, and ended with romantic sheer dresses and flowing chiffon skirts with soft floral prints (which could easily be layered over those gorgeous black tops from before). But not everything had such a romantic vibe. Ultimo quickly switched to summer themes reminiscent of a vacation to the white sand beaches of Cuba. Flowing ponchos, over-sized, western belts paired with pepper necklaces and bohemian tasseled blouses were all seen before Ultimo once again moved on to retro inspired work wear. Polka dots, swing coats and red leather detailing made this a memorable part of show, until once again, black and white romantic ensembles came out.

Seoul Fashion Week Runway Review – ROMANCHIC SS16

ROMANCHIC... It almost sounds like "romantic" doesn't it? And let me tell you, the ROMANCHIC show was definitely romantic. All white monotone looks mixed with cotton candy pastels and bold coloured florals against a simple backdrop of black. Basically... all my favourite trends at the moment in one show. In other words, I loved it. 

Favourites from Paris Fashion Week

Balenciaga - Photo from Style.com

Paris fashion week is definitely my favourite of all the fashion weeks. The designers create detailed, yet laid back outfits – most of which are totally wearable. This year, I'm all about sheer, flowing layers (aren't I always?), suede (my new obsession), and feminine, yet sporty looks. 

Personally, Alexander Wang at Balenciaga does this best, and I'll be sad to see him go (isn't the dress above gorgeous?!). Balenciaga quickly became a favourite of mine with Wang at the helm, but I can't wait to see who picks up the lead next! 

Chanel was also a hit with me this year. Lagerfield outdid himself with the airport theme – combining classic Chanel style with comfy flight wear. Patterned track pants or wide legged – everything was to die for. Definite must haves for those who travel a lot (ok, maybe just those who travel a lot and can afford Chanel).

Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb Review

Introducing my new favourite cream for sensitive skin – Belif's True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. Belif says this cream coats your skin in comfort, and they weren't lying. Belif uses simple ingredients and says it's uses a 150 year old processing method to create it's skincare goodies. How true this is, I don't know, however it comes with rave reviews from Korean bloggers and has been featured in magazines and beauty shows. My Korean friend says it's a good line if you have sensitive skin – kind of like Korea's version of Avene or La Roche Posay.

DDP

All photos taken by Nam Hyunh

Hi everyone! Long time no see. Things have been very busy! I just moved to Korea a month ago, so pictures will be few and far between from now on as I don't have a remote for my camera anymore. Yes, I remembered to bring a tripod, and completely forgot the remote. Silly me. Luckily, Nam Huynh took these gorgeous photos during a weekend trip to Seoul to see the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Bird of Paradise

Summer calls for bright colours, and I couldn't ignore this canary yellow dress from Zara during their spring sale. I was originally looking for a bright yellow skirt, but this has satisfied all my needs for the colour.

Seattle-Vancouver Travel Diary

Road trip! Warning, picture heavy.

 My family and I decided to take out bi-yearly trip to Vancouver and Seattle a few weeks ago... namely because somebody needed to go and get a visa (I'm leaving in two weeks guys!).  Anyways, as per any road trip, lots of food was eaten, lots of selfies taken, and more food eaten. PS, you should go all the way to the bottom for cute otter pics. I may have not taken any other pictures in Vancouver, otters are distracting.

Rose

I've mentioned before my love for blush tones this year, and these pants were instantly on my wishlist after I saw them on Chriselle Lim a few weeks ago. Luckily, they were on sale on Amazon, in my size (sort of), and my mom had a gift card she wasn't going to use any time soon (seriously, she took two years to use the last Amazon gift card she had). As I'm headed to Korea in a few weeks, I took advantage of asking for an early Christmas gift, and I had a nice little present waiting on my doorstep when I got back from Vancouver last week.

Boardwalk

Hello from Vancouver! Just some quick photos of the Vancouver Waterfront. I'll have a photo diary of my Seattle/Vancouver trip in a few days. Be prepared for a lot of pictures of jellyfish. (Because apparently that's really all I take photos of at the Vancouver Aquarium. Those, and otters.) I'm currently trying to pick and choose which photos to include in the next post. Apparently I took too many photos of animals, and not enough of anything else.

Romping Around

And back to posting outfits! As most of my friends know, I may have a slight obsessions with all things one-piece. Rompers, jumpsuits (okay, I don't actually own a jumpsuit, but only because I haven't one with the perfect fit yet and I'm too nervous to buy online), overalls... You name it, and chances are I'm lusting over it. 

Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 Ampoule Review

As someone who constantly deals with dehydrated skin, I'm always on the lookout for good hydrating serums to add to my routine, especially ones that aren't going to break the bank (seriously, a very basic hyaluronic serum is at least $20/oz Cad). This is probably why I started to get into Asian cosmetics when I was 18 – everything was more reasonably priced, and they just seemed to work better.

The Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 Ampoule is a no frills serum. It only claims to provide lightweight, yet lasting hydration, and it performs quite well at that. Because of how sensitive my skin was at the time I purchased it (acne, over-exfoliation, rashy and eczema patches), I was looking for some key ingredients including ceramides (healing) and hyaluronic acid (hydrating).

Notable Ingredients

Hyaluronic Acid: This atttracts and maintains water in the skin. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it a great ingredient for dehydrated and dry skin.

Copper Tripeptide-1: Increases collagen and elastin production and promotes skin regeneration

Cholesteral: Helps to restore and maintain the skin's barrier, maintaining normal skin function.

Ceramide 3: Helps to restore and maintain the skin's barrier.

Beta Glucan: Has anti-oxidant, wound healing and moisturizing properties.

Adenosine: An anti-aging ingredient that promotes collagen and elastin production, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.

Full ingredients list here.

Performance

I bought this to provide extra hydration for my poor dehydrated skin around the same time as the Hada Labo Perfect Gel (it came in the mail about a week later). It too has hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help with my dehydrated skin, as well as anti-aging and healing properties to help with my acne and acne scarring. Mizon is known for providing quality products that are full of plant extracts (these often provide anti-inflammatory, brightening, and antioxidant properties), for a cheap price. I've actually used a few other products from them that I never got around to reviewing (namely their snail lines).

This particular serum is just a basic hydrating serum. It doesn't make any other claims, and for that, it performs its job well. Combined with the Hada Labo Perfect Gel, I almost had enough hydration to last a full day (assuming I was at home and not dealing with air conditioning). It's very lightweight and silky, absorbing easily. Seriously, my skin just drank this up and sighed happily, like it just had a sip of a well-made cup of tea. Like the Perfect Gel, I feel like this helped my skin to better retain moisture so that I wouldn't get that uncomfortable tight feeling, or overly oily (both signs of dehydrated skin) quite so soon in the day.

This isn't the best at "long lasting hydration" like it claims (okay it doesn't claim to be the best, but I've used better). Mind you, for half the price, I can't really complain either. It lasted about two months with twice a day usage (three quarters of a dropper each time).

For the price, I don't think you can get a better hydrating serum, especially if you're not in Korea. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I'm always looking to try something new.

Pros

Cheap, unless you buy it from Urban Outfitters. I got mine for about $12/oz Cad with free shipping on Roseroseshop.com

Does what it claims

Not only hydrates, but as anti-aging ingredients as well (long-term benefits as well as short term!)

Cons

You'll need to wait in the mail for it (if you want it immediately, it's available at select Urban Outfitters stores for a very marked up price)

Hada Labo Perfect Gel Review

Hey guys, I'm back! It's been a nice hiatus, wrought with multiple skin rashes, acne, and allergies galore. But I look normal again, so here I am! So I've decided to write my first post about skincare (or maybe the first couple). A lot of you who know me in person know I'm the biggest geek about skincare, and it seems to have gotten worse (or better, if you like me rambling on about ingredients) after my latest little bought of skin mishaps. I've gotten a lot pickier with my skincare after having some sort of allergic reaction in March and April. I had a rash all over my hands and arms, as well as around my mouth. It took weeks to heal and multiple visits to the dermatologist, and it still likes to pop up now and again. For the record, I'm just super sensitive to alcohol in my skincare and prone to over-exfoliation.

Since my newfound love of ingredients lists and the beauty bloggers who post them, I've decided to follow suit in my reviews as well.

Tony Moly Bcdation All Master Review

The Tony Moly Bcdation All Master is an upgrade from the original Bcdation – a base product meant to be a BB cream, CC cream, and foundation in one. The All Master version has a higher shea butter content, meaning more moisture, and a dewier look as well as only coming in one colour meant to suit everyone.

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Deep Cream Review

I've done a mini review of this before, but I wanted to give you guys something a bit more in depth, as I couldn't find too many reviews of this particular cream online when I went to buy it myself.

Spring Sage

Back to being on a no spending challenge after buying this jacket (and Monday's dress). I really should start creating a clothing budget to stick within so that maybe I don't suddenly look at my funds and have a mini heart attack (but hey, I know what my parents are getting me for my birthday since I couldn't justify purchasing it this month despite a really good sale). 

Tendril

Happy Monday! If you follow me on twitter, you'll know that I recently fell in love and bought a gorgeous beaded dress from Urban Outfitters. I'm always obsessed with different textures in my clothing, so when I found this piece with a bonus fringe hem, it was love at first sight.

Spring Transitions

Hi everyone! Happy Friday (whoo almost the weekend!). Spring is nearly here, and today I'm guest posting on Fashion Food Flair. 

On Fur

Hi guys! I hope you've all had a lovely week. Today I wanted to talk to you about, and share my opinions on something controversial – fur.

Yeti Girl

Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful weekend (and an amazing Monday).

After New York Fashion Week (okay, actually a few months before, but everything got way more intense after), I've been absolutely obsessed with fur. I've been hunting for the perfect fur jacket since December, but hadn't been able to find anything I loved in my size. A recent trip to the Forever21 clearance section yielded an absolute treasure though – this gorgeous two-toned faux fur jacket.

Knitting Snow

Experiencing massive temperature changes everyday lately. It was 12 degrees a few days ago, and now it's -10 (which really isn't too bad surprisingly). It's warm enough for bare ankles though, but I think that's about a spring-like as I can get. 

12 Degrees

Happy warm weather! I haven't done a lot lately besides lounge around the house and play Pokemon Y. I love easy outfits, especially when I don't have a lot to do and just need to look nice to go out in public briefly, and this dress is perfect for that. I too advantage of the warm weather (12 degrees Celsius!) and dragged my sandals out fo the closet. Unfortunately, it's snowing as I type this, so you won't be seeing these for a little while again.

Toddler Days

Looking a bit like a toddler in my favourite summer trend from last year. I love overalls – they're the perfect transitional item, and you can easily find quite a few pairs with modern touches nowadays. Wide legged, pleated, flared – you name it, it's done. 

Happy Lunar New Year

Happy lunar new year! Well, slightly belated new year by the time this is posted. It's the year of the sheep, which is supposed to be a hopeful year full of positive changes (but I think horoscopes say that every year, so it'll be what you make it to be). Either way, I hope we all have a prosperous and happy year with good health!

Four Eyes

Glasses... They can make or break your look. They can take you from chic nerd, to vintage glam, to sexy librarian. Glasses are the ones of ultimate fashion accessories, especially when it comes to changing the overall feel of your look.

Spring Layers

Happy Family Day! I hope you're all having a lovely long weekend with your loved ones (and a great Valentine's Day)! It's been pretty balmy lately, and I've been experimenting with different items in my closet to layer and forgo my winter jackets.

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk PK004 Review

I'm a huge gan of Etude House products, especially they're makeup. They have the widest shade selection of lipsticks and eyeliners, and are always coming up with new shades and formulas. Not only is the shade selection great, but everything looks adorable! I bought a best seller that I've seen make the beauty blogger rounds, Breathtaking Pink (PK004), and I find myself reaching for it everyday.

Relax

I love a good relaxed Valentine's Day, which s what it looks like I'm having. I mean Galentine's Day. Definitely Galentine's and not Valentine's.

Silk and Leather for Valentine's Day

Happy early Valentine's Day my loves. Or Galentine's Day for us single ladies. 

Heritage

Photo Credit: Christopher Yoon

 These are old photos, taken by a friend I met during my exchange in Korea, who came to visit during Christmas. We headed to Heritage Park, as he missed going during his last summer in Calgary, and he caught a few cute snaps of me while playing around with a new lens he bought.

I love this berry hat, so I thought I'd share these with you.

Favourite Trends of Haute Couture 2015

Elie Saab
Photo Credit: Style.com

The haute couture shows are an amazing display of craftsmanship and creativity, and this year was no exception. They're my favourite shows to just look at, and ooh and ah over. While I don't normally look for similarities between the designers' collections, I couldn't help but notice an abundance of floral inspiration in each show. I'll definitely be incorporating more pinks and greens of all shades in my wardrobe this spring (which coincides with my winter palette of choice this year as well). 

Sheer Floral

I have been incredibly lazy (and trying to fend off a cold) these days, and my 7FAM boyfriend jeans have been a constant go-to lazing around the house. My trip to Korea has been delayed until September unfortunately, and for the last month, I've been taking advantage of being a bum around the house (I swear I'm job searching this month).

School Girl Layers

I love the idea of layering, but to be honest, I'm not the best at it. For awhile, I've been searching for the perfect sweatshirt to layer over dresses and tops – not too bulky, but still has shape, not cropped too high, etc. etc. I found this on sale at Aritzia (my favourite store to get basics from) and it's nearly perfect.

The Trouser

I love a good trouser. They're classic, and the right pair will elongate your legs and make you look taller than your really are. 

Investing in Leather Pants

Ahh, the leather pant... something I've obsessed over in the past year. I fell in love after purchasing the best leather leggings ever from Aritizia. They were soft, perfectly form fitting, and had a realistic leather-like texture and finish. Unfortunately, they weren't durable.

All About That Felt

Wool and felt hats are my absolute favourite this season, and my collection is slowly growing. This black ranger hat was my first purchase last year, and quickly grew to be a favourite during the cooler weather. 

Wearing Shorts to Work

Shorts can be both professional and casual, depending on how you wear them. Slightly longer and cuffed, with a pair of tights for some added modesty (and warmth... mostly warmth) is my preferred way to wear shorts to casual meetings. 

Winter Skin Saviors

It's winter and you know what that means. Dry, irritated and possibly wind burnt skin from days skiing and hiking in the mountains.

With the change of seasons, a change in skincare is called for. Our skin condition changes given the weather, and in the winter, we're more prone to dryness, dehydration, and irritation – especially if you're living in a winter desert (hey Calgary).