General Haul #45 - Korres Sample Sale

I have known about the Korres Sample Sale in the past, but I never gone to one.
So I brought a skincare beauty friend and we went shopping!
I was expecting a line, so I took my time getting there and arrived at 10:30am.
It was surprising to see no lines and the store empty. I was probably the 4th person in the room.
Better for me to browse and take my time!

There were a long two rows of skincare and just a small amount of makeup to choose from. I wasn't planning to get makeup stuff cause Korres are more known for their skincare.
I have dry to combination skin so the wild rose collection was best for me.

There was stuff for all types of skin. It was surprising to see two different kinds of night creams, two different kinds of eye creams and many box sets.  


I didn't get many box sets. Just one for my mom's aging skin and my friend's oily skin.
The foundations are concealers were $5 a piece!!!
Definitely worth going if you are low on skincare or want to try this brand.

General Haul #42 - NYC Kbeauty MeetUp 2016

     

I was honored to be able to participate in the First Annual NYC Kbeauty MeetUp where all us Asian Beauty Skincare addicts came together to talk, gush, love and shop.

First CupidDrop came by when the group met up for coffee in the morning at CaffeBean.

They were so generous to talk about their website where you can buy Korean stuff for free shipping within the US. I know that I will be using their services because I hate buying for international shipping to have my goodies ship from Korea.

   

Next Amy ( @ ) carried these goodies all the way from Delaware to NYC to give these to us. CosRX was kind enough to provide us these generous package of goodies including the popular blackhead cream, acne patches, and the toner. I am so excited about the one-step pads because I never tried that and I find them perfect for lazy people like me during the AM skincare routine. Plus the socks, which I have on now, are so comfy and perfect for the winter season which is 17 degree F now outside.



After coffee, we walked over to Nature Republic to do some shopping. I loved all their products that had Bulgarian rose scent in it. They ended up suprising us with a goodie bag which contains the popular aloe gel, hand cream, ampoule and the ginseng royal silk mask. I couldn't wait much longer so when I got home that night, I used the ampoule and the ginseng royal silk gold mask and I loved it. This brand totally took me by surprise!  

To continue onto with our shopping trip, we went to Club Clio which is one of my favorites Korean makeup stores in NYC. I ended up buying a cushion foundation, which to be honest I still have to get through 20 other cushions foundations. But I couldn't resist this waterkill cushion in shade 03 ginger. Plus the aqua line sheet masks were only $1 each so I got one to try out.

At checkout, Club Clio surprised us with a huge goodie bag including the Dr. G gel serum, a gift set and many sheet masks.

I didn't know that there was a TooCoolForSchool flagship in NYC.
The prices are a bit pricey but it's nice to know that it's accessible to people who can't get it from Korea. I do love their egg cream products such as the sheet masks. I'm looking forward to try their pumpkin 24K Gold mask. And I do think the hand cream will definitely be used during this winter.

After the morning shopping, since we were at Koreantown, I went to get a bun from bunn and green tea from BesFren. Very tasty!

 


While we are on the topic of BesFren, this store has became my favorite Asian skincare/makeup place in NYC. Great thing is that it's in midtown so it's easy to get to from subways and trains. They have so many brands in the store from skinfood to habolabo. The masks are always on sale and the prices are the lowest that I have seen in NYC. This is where I brought the most stuff on during this entire shopping tour,

 

 


At the end of the day, we received goodie bags from our wonderful coordinators, ranging from Naruko to pixie.

  
Overall, it was a successful meetup and shopping tour and there will be more meetups in the future!!

General Haul #39 Generation Beauty NYC (sept 17 & 18, 2016)

During my birthday weekend, I spent it at Generation Beauty!
The Early Bird tickets were about $106 including tax and I just wanted to spend my birthday with makeup and skincare this year.
I got a total of 3 hours of sleep per day in between work and going to generation beauty on both days.

Day 1 stuff from standing in lines to get products. I think the lines were more effective on Saturdays or maybe I planned out my day well. I went on the lesser known and avoid the lines when there were hosting YouTube meet-up times.

Day 1 goodie Bag (Saturday Bag).

So it seems that I am missing a few things from my goodie bags. I remember hearing some people complaining about that after they got their bags.

Day 2 goodie bag (Sunday bag) wasn't as great as Saturday in my opinion. But I was missing things from both goodies bags.

Day 2 standing in lines to get some products. Day 2 were awful, it seem like there were more people during Sunday.

I didn't get a chance to go to 6 booths because the lines were always closed everytime I passed by to get in line. Those lines included MakeUp Forever, pur-lisse and Jouer to name a few. Would I go again, no. I think every girl should experience it once a lifetime to enjoy and say that they went to Generation Beauty! My favorite booth was H2O+Beauty for giving up a full size sleeping mask and BareMinerals who give a full sized powder compact foundation and brush. Both of those brands color match and give you products according to your skin. It Cosmetics beauty rep was so nice in teaching me how to brow, contour and bronze-she took the time to explain and it made Generation Beauty worth it. If you just go for standing in lines and getting the products then this event isn't for you.

Many of these items are sold in Ulta only and in NYC, we don't have an Ulta yet so it was nice to be exposed to some of these products.

Here is where I learned that grown women aren't so grown.

HAIR!! - $18?

Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil of Morocco Sulfate Free Conditioner with Keratin 50ml - $1.50

Marc Anthony Nourshing Argan Oil of Morocco Deep Hydrating Conditioning Treatment 50ml - $3

Marc Anthony Repairing Macadamia Oil Deep Rescue Conditioning Treatment 50ml - $3

Marc Anthony Deep Repair Aloe Vera Jasmine Deep Repairing Conditioning Treatment 50ml - $3

Marc Anthony Clear Dry Shampoo 44ml - $3

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil Volume Hairspray 53ml - $1

Rock Your Hair Spray it Clean Dry Shampoo 85ml - $2.50

EvaNyc Forget me Knot Dry Shampoo 4ml - $0.25

EvaNyc Therapy Session Hair Mask 20ml - $0.70

Lippies!! Lip gloss, lipsticks and lip pencils. - $147?

Elf moisturizing lipstick in the nude 0.11oz - $3

NYx ombré lip duo lip liner old09 razz leg and dazzle 0.015oz - $12

Doucce gloss wear lip gloss 6ml - $24

Pop beauty permanent matte lip paint poppy pout - $14

Milani amore matte lip creme 12-loved 0.21oz - $8

Make matte lipstick 4206A-scarlet 0.12oz - $25

Absolute NY velvet lippie Avl14 razzle - $4

Absolute NY velvet lippie avl15 scandal - $4

Crown brush jada kohl k-15 - $3

Pop beauty kajal pen inky purple - $10

Nudestix magnetic matte eye color army- $24

Nyx butter lipstick bls31 midnight swim - $6

It cosmetics ylbb your lips but better waterproof lip liner stain blushing nude - $10

Face makeup cosmestics - $102?

Tarte sculptor contour face slenderizer park ave princess 2 - $24

Milani stay put matte coffee 2 17-hour wear liquid liner - $8

Nyx baked shadow BSH32 Nebula - $6

Nyx bright idea illuminating stick BIIS02 Coralicious - $8

Absolute NY Blush Balm glide on cream blush absb08 - $7

Jouer powder eyeshadow opal - $22

NYx cream blush CB02 natural - $6

Pixi beauty bronzer +kabuki subtly sun touched - $18

Elf smudge pot 21695 cruisin chic - $3

The brushes!!!
Good timing because I was going to buy new brushes. $93?

Royal langnickel - concealer$5, highlighter$7, and eye shader $4

Essence cookery eyes brush $5

Luxie tapered highlighter - $24

Luxie small tampered blending - $12

Royal langnickel brow - $6

Bare minerals core coverage brush - $30

Foundation, primers and concealers. $160

Bareminerals prime time foundation primer 30ml - $24

Makeup forever step 1 skin equalizer 5ml - $5

CoverFX illuminating primer 5ml - $6

Estee edit pore vanishing stick 0.24oz - $28

Bare minerals barePro light natural 09 - $30

Hourglass veil mineral primer 0.14oz - $10

It cosmetics bye bye pore pressed airbrush silk pressed antiaging finishing powder - $15

It cosmetics cc+ 12ml - $14

Too Faced born this way naturally radiant concealer - $28

Eyelashes that I got because my birthday was in September and they gave 6 extra boxes for those with Sept bdays!! About $40

Mascara...mascara, I have more to last a couple of years, but I will be giving away all to family members and only keeping four - 1 tarte, EsteeEdit, Benefit and TooFaced) - $127

Pur volume vixen0.16oz - $6

It superhero super black - $12

Josie maran Argan black oil mascara 5ml - $9

Estee edit the edgiest double mascara 10ml - $24

Pur big look 0.12oz - $12

Doucce boombastic lash volumizer $12

Tarteiest lash paint mascara 7ml - $23

Too faced better than sex mascara 0.17oz - $12

Essence forbidden volume mascara rebel 12ml - $5

Benefit roller lash super curling and lifting mascara 0.1oz - $12

The brow section, I think I should start somewhere with my brows. $50

Pixi mini endless brow gel pen - $5

Peek express natural stain brow powder - $18

Benefit gimme brow volumizing fiber gel 5 - $24

Crown brush brow blade - $3

All the skincare goodies which I prefer over makeup. $187

Mizon UV Mild Sun Block SPF 35/PA++ - $23

Purlisse blue lotus +seaweed treatment sheet mask - $8

Leaders Amazonian acai anti pollution mask - $6

Leaders pore-scaling black Aqua sheet mask - $2

Befine fine foods skin care 7 single packets ranging from cleanser to creams - $10

H2o+beauty water right color correcting mask 50ml - $42

H2o+beauty oasis hydrating treatment 10ml - $13

Estee edit radiance activator 5ml - $10

Skinfix foaming oil cleanser 30ml - $5

Laneige water sleeping mask 20ml - $20

Dermae microdermabrasion 0.5 oz - $8

Dermae firming DMAE eye lift 0.5 oz - $20

Josie maran surreal skin Argan finishing balm 0.1oz - $7

Josie maran Whipped Mud wash off mask Cucumber Aloe - $8

Make dual phase eye makeup remover 30ml - $5

Below is some of my Giveaway that I will be hosting when I get 200 followers on Instagram.
Follow me at @chalilened and look forward to the Giveaway post!

General Haul #36 - Second Annual Peach and Lily Sample Sale in NYC!

I went to this sale right after working the midnight shift at the hospital.
I arrived here at 8:45am and there were about 250 people in front of me, allowing me to get in around 10am. Not bad, but there were so many people that got off the line before me because they were going to be late for work. I feel that attending sample sales on the days that you work are such bad ideas because you have no clue when you will be in the doors. If you made it in, you really did survived lol.

I missed the first annual Peach and Lily sample sale last year so I attended this year at the much larger rented warehouse ground floor space at Stollway at 250 W 39th St. The hours were from 8 am - 10 pm or until supplies last today. I heard that the first girl was here about 6:30am - that's dedication! No point in RSVP-ing because everyone was getting on the line and going in at an ordering fashion. Once in, there was a mandatory bag check on the right. I didn't bring any bags so I just grab a Peach and Lily tote and bypassed that line and started shopping.

The staff was organized and restocking and maintaining order allowing people to shop for 20 minutes. To be honest, that was more than enough time to look at the products. The products were all priced with colored stickers so you knew the prices without having to waste time asking the staff! The prices were straight forwarded-$3, $6, $10, $15, $22, $35. I wasn't as lucky to get some of the $35 products that I was hoping for, but that's ok. There were more than plenty other options to choose from.

The goodies that I got were:

1. Lagom Cellus Deep Moisture Cream - $29 retail - perfect for winter time
2. MayCoop Mini Raw Sauce - retail $14 - wasn't happy that they didn't have the full-sized product.
3. MayCoop Raw Moisturizer $40 retail - 80ml - good for all skin (perfect for summer)
4. Be the skin - Botanical Nutrition Power Toner - $29 retail 150ml- perfect for dry skin
5. Be the Skin - Botanical Pore Toner - $25 retail 150ml- perfect for combo to oily skin
6. Be the Skin - Botanical Nutrition Serum - $35 retail 50ml - good for all skin types
7. Be the Skin - Botanical Nutrition Power Cream -$39 retail 50ml- good for dry skin
8. CremorLab Mineral Treatment Essence - $42 retail 270ml - best for combo-oil skin
9. Cremorlab Shadow-Off Eye Cream - $48 retail 15ml - best for my sensitive skin
10. Kicho Sheep Oil Cream - $58 retail 65ml - best for all
11. The Lotus Essence Lotion with Lotus Leaf $64 retail 125ml - I will be using this as an emulsion
12. The Lotus Essence with Lotus Leaf $64 retail 125ml
13. The Lotus Leaf and Aloe Calming Serum $52 retail 70ml - best for this summer's bad sun rays
14. Shangpree S-energy long lasting concentrated serum $120 retail 30ml - good for sensitive and aging skin
15. Tosowoong TimeShift First Essence AP Therapy - 150ml I didn't see this on their website, but the packaging looks like a dupe for the SK-II
16. Primera Massage Cream - I think I got the last one. I'm a fan of this brand but I was surprised to see it here. I will use this as a body cream for this upcoming winter.

I was looking for the Kicho Sleeping mask but that was nowhere to be seen, but I was happy that I saw the beautiful packaged Sheep Oil Cream product. I was also looking for the Koh Gen Do brand, but since it was new to Peach and Lily, chances are that it wasn't going to be at the sample sale today. There's only a few more hours left to attend this one-day sale today.

You get your receipt either via email or text and the receipt is based on color coding not organized by product name so count how many products you get and double check when they charge you.
I think I purchased enough skincare for this upcoming winter and summer seasons to come!
Happy Shopping!
Individual reviews coming up soon when I use these products one by one!

General Haul #27 - Face Shop Opening in Brooklyn, NY

We finally have a Korean beauty road shop store in Brooklyn!
I think I went a little crazy in the store.
The promotions in the store was the same on the website, such as Buy 10 masks and get 5.
Or buy a cushion and get one refill free.

They opened at 10am, I was the first customer in because I was passing by and the hours aren't listed yet so I was in luck.
They help you with any questions and they are well knowledgeable.
It is an ok sized shop for skincare and make-up products.
I was more into their skincare products.
They have testers that are working and they are well-stocked from the morning.
It is clean and the prices are ok considering that they are shipping the stuff from Korea.
You can sign up for their membership (I think they forgot to take my 10% off).
They do give samples and they gave me a face hydrogel mask at checkout but then I'm not sure if it depends on how much you buy.
I will be buying more as I finish my stash from this current haul.

Here is what I brought:

1. 신선한 대관령 우유 크림
   DAEGWALLYEONG FRESH MILK CREAM
2. 제주 화산토 클레이 마스크시트
   JEJU VOLCANIC LAVA CLAY FACE MASK
3. REAL NATURE CALENDULA FACE MASK
   갈아만든 금잔화 마스크시트
4. REAL NATURE GOJI BERRY FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 구기자 마스크시트
5. REAL NATURE LILY FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 백합 마스크시트
6. REAL NATURE LINGZHI FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 영지 마스크시트
7. REAL NATURE LONGAN FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 용안 마스크시트
8. REAL NATURE LOTUS FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 연꽃 마스크시트
9. REAL NATURE PEONY FACE MASK
   

   갈아만든 작약 마스크시트
10. REAL NATURE RED GINSENG FACE MASK
    

    갈아만든 홍삼 마스크시트
11. 더테라피 안티에이징 쿠션 N203

    THE THERAPY ANTI-AGING CUSHION SPF50+ PA+++ N203
12. THE THERAPY ANTI-AGING CUSHION SPF50+ PA+++ N203 (REFILL)
    

    더테라피 안티에이징 쿠션 SPF50+ PA+++ N203 (리필)
13. REAL NATURE HYDRO GEL MASK GREEN TEA
    

    리얼 내추럴 겔 마스크 녹차
14. 갈아만든 아사이베리 마스크시트

    REAL NATURE MASK SHEET ACAI BERRY
15. 갈아만든 꿀 마스크시트

    REAL NATURE MASK SHEET HONEY
16. 갈아만든 녹두 마스크시트

    REAL NATURE MASK SHEET MUNGBEAN
17. 갈아만든 쌀 마스크시트

    REAL NATURE MASK SHEET RICE

General Haul #22 - JKnLee Haul #2

Ah, the weather in NYC was in the mid-50F degrees. I wasn't planning on going today, but the sun was nice and warm and I though to hell with hibernation. After the huge sample sale from JKnLee last month.  JKnLee's Instagram advertised that the store was open this weekend for a mega mask sale. 

I'm not really into sheet masks so I didn't have my hopes up. Plus the NYC subway system was running on a weekend schedule so there were delays and route changes. 

They had cute animal sheets mask (10in a box) for $30- but they were BOGO, so you are getting $15 per box if you buy two. Almost all the masks were $15 a box. I couldn't find any information about that brand "The Cure" online so I decided to pass. Clio Sun spray $15 or $20 - can't remember. Goodal oil, snail cream and toners, BB creams were around that price in the corner behind the entrance door. 

Instead, I got goodal gel creams and some make-up products which I didn't get a chance to see last month in the store. Again, I didn't take pics of the goodies inside the store - my apologizes. The goodal creams, toners, emulsions were 3 for $20 along with Clio gelpresso liners, peripera tint set, Clio eyebrown set and some other Clio products. Now the goodies that caught my eye today were the 5 for $5 which include peripera single eye-shadows, clio tints, clio liquid eye shadow, peripera lip gloss and a few others. 

There were shades that weren't popular like coral or peach, but I think those colors look nice on fair skin especially when spring and summer are on the way. I went around noon and my friend went around 6pm today and the inventory were kinda similar. I'm not sure about tomorrow (sunday-2/21) but I think it is worth a trip if you are around Chinatown.

Here is the store outside: 

Here is what I got: 

1. goodal Phytoain Murumuru Seed Hydra Gel Cream (3 for $20)
2. goodal Phytoain Murumuru Seed Hydra Gel Cream
3. goodal Phytoshine Acaiberry Brighetening Cream
4. Peripera Watery Face Pride Up! cushion pact in shade 2-Vanilla Beige - $10
5. Peripera My Color Gloss in shade 4 - $1 (my mom loved this shade so it went into her drawer)
6. Peripera Saturday Night Liner in shade 6 - Saturday Choco - $1
7. Clio Virgin Kiss Milky-Water Tint Milky Color with Longlasting in shade 3-Virgin Strawberry -  $1
8. Clio Gelpresso WaterProof Pastel Upper Liner in shade 1-Keep Calm - $1
9. Clio Pro Glitter Pigment shade 6 - Dark Wave - $1

I think I'm happier with my mini haul this month instead of the massive haul last month because I was able to control my budget spending ahaha.

Individual reviews coming up soon.

General Haul #19 - NYC Korean sample sale (from JKNLEE #1)

I missed the first Korean sample sale last summer hosted by Peach &Lily (still upset about it) so I was not going to miss this one. I'm more of a skincare person so I think I would have got more stuff from the Peach & Lily then today's JKNLEE sale. I have been buying Korean skincare and make-up products for a year to realize "what is sale price and retail price", "what is worth getting" and "what isn't according to my skin". I vowed to myself that I would spend less starting this year on cosmetics products but it hasn't been working that well since the year starts with a sample sale. Hurry up, tomorrow is the last day!

I thought that I give the place a hour after opening to avoid the long line and crazy crowd so I arrived at noon and wait 30 minutes to get it. They handed me a small bag to put your goodies in as you shopped. I understand that some people want to read what they are buying so they take a bit longer. I'm one of those people that look, pick or grab and look for the line. I'm kinda upset that there wasn't anymore Mr.G's cream for damaged skin, but I got the goodal's emulsion and essence. But many people were interested in the make-up instead of the skincare, so I went towards the skincare first and then slowly tried to merged into the make-up section. There aren't any testers so the customers were opening the packages to view the color and stuff. It's best to research a bit about the colors before buying. The reps there are very nice asking questions and maintaining the crowds.

Here's my list of goodies:

1. Soo Ae The Qure Premium Facial Essence Mask E.G.F - 5 pcs - $5
2. Ostia Korea - Snail Jade Pure Essence Skin Gel Mask - 10pcs - $10
3. Ostia Korea - Snail Emerald Pure Essence Skin Gel Mask - 10pcs - $10
4. TonyMoly water melting gloss Delight in 06 Mellow Red - $5
5. TonyMoly bam bam tint Delight 04 Orange Girl - $5
6. TonyMoly Fruit Princess Gloss 1 Strawberry - $5
7. Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick 14 Runaway - $5
8. Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick 15 Queen's Red - $5
9. Clio Diamond Lipstick 24 Swing Pink - $5
10. Clio Diamond Lipstick 03 Noble Pink - $5
11. Clio Micro Fine Collagen Mist - $10
12. Clio Kill cover Cushion Founwear 04 Ginger - (2 boxes) - $20 each
13. Clio Waterproof Eyeliner 2 Brown - $5
14. Clio Kill Brown WaterProof Pencil Liner - $5
15. Clio Gelpresso WaterProof Pencil Gel Liner - 6 Metallic Silver - $5
16. Clio Gelpresso WaterProof Pastel Upper Liner - $5
17. goodal Phytorain Murumuru Seed Hydra Emulsion - $7
18. goodal Phytoshine Acaiberry Brightening Emulsion - $7
19. goodal Luminant Plus Whitening Essence - $7 (if I knew about this product beforehand, I would have grabbed more)
20. Peripera Saturday night liner 7 Sunday Night - $5
21. They gave me three samples - a snail ruby mask sheet and 2 The Cure Pure Nature 3-step Clean Care. It is basically something for your face, hair and body. Perfect for sleepovers or stay-overs.

I didn't get any of their $1 stuff (nail stickers,  eye-shadow) or 3 for $15 (nail polish, lip tint) or Goodal Golden Snail sheet masks. Everything here was a bargain. I think I will be good and save some for other people for tomorrow which is their last day!

  

These 3 pictures are taken from NY.racked.com because it was so crowded and hectic for me to take pics of the store.

Individual reviews coming soon throughout the year!

Eva Air Food Meals from my Asia Trip 2015

I have been a loyal China Airlines customer, but because I wanted to be on the same flight company from NYC to Taiwan to Shanghai and only Eva Air could fit my schedule. It was my first time flying with EVA; I wasn't disappointed.

 These were the menu from Taipei to NYC and vice versa.

  

Complimentary bottled water and view from the window seat.

I preferred the Eastern breakfast above over the Western breakfast below.

Below is the Hello Kitty lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

Below is the Hello Kitty Eva airplane.

I'm not sure what Eva Air is merged with a China airplane company when flying in China.

Below is lunch served from Taipei to Shanghai.

This is one terminal out of the 2 or 3 terminals in China Pudong International airport. It is very spacious!

Below is lunch served from Shanghai back to Taipei. I only finished the fruits; the rest was barely touched by me.

Arrived in Taiwan Taoyuan International airport and look China Airlines plane is parked right next to us.

  

I had to take the Ubus from the airport to the High Speed Rail station at Taoyuan so I can get to Kaohsiung.

High Speed rail ticket from Taoyuan to Kaohsiung.

 

Then Back from Kaohsiung to Taoyuan. 

And finally this is two kinds of dinner plates that were offered from Taipei to NYC on Eva Air.

 

And lastly, I just stuck with picking the Asian breakfast of Congee for my last airplane meal back to NYC.