I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.

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A Timeless Ritual with Amore Pacific | Jeju Island, Korea

Any time someone throws the age-old question of what my skin routine is on social media, my reply had always been ‘foundation and Photoshop*’. More and more so I’m starting to realise that it’s one of those stupid answers, like saying ‘I’m in shape, round is a shape’. One that warrants ‘yeah… not really funny, sis‘ from my bro. As a South Korean, the topic of Korean beauty is popularly thrown into interview questions, one that stumps me entirely – because as someone who grew up in Europe and regularly gets into punch-fights with eczema, beauty alone is still a topic that scares me. Wherever’s it’s from. I don’t have a regime, let alone one rule I can stick by. Every other day my skin wages a coup d’état.

The one thing I do know, and not to sound like my mum, or Christina Aguilera circa Dirrty years, is that beauty comes from within. No matter what you put on your skin, if you eat crap, your skin will be crap – if not now then later. I learnt this the hard way. Kids, eczema truly sucks balls. Korean Beauty apparently boils down to this somewhat corny ideology – healthy, transparent skin that no diamond cream can buy, only a very specific (borderline anal) lifestyle. Put aside all whitening and cosmetic surgery taboos, that’s what drives the industry forward, products that are based on eradicating irritants and championing botanical active ingredients. Make-up is almost an afterthought.

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Jacket – Pinko. Jumpsuit – Mango. Boots – Stuart Weitzman. Bag – Gucci.

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AMOREPACIFIC is one of those S.Korean beauty giants, and their unsung hero? Green tea. Now, I am a coffee-lover who thinks green tea tastes like warmed-up pond water. I am however also someone who eats dollar-store sweets and calls it dinner and therefore should really shut up and get with the program. The Timeless Ritual program – to be precise – which launched the new anti-ageing line TIMLESS RESPONSE in Jeju, a volcanic island just off the Southern coast of the Korean peninsula. One hour from Seoul, 14 hours from London. Timed exactly in the window when the first green tea leaves sprout, the purest and most potent harvest – traditionally worth its weight in gold and main active ingredient of the line.

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Instagram @parkncube

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The first day – detoxing by way of nature, yoga (first time for me, if you can believe) and one of the most invigorating facial massages I’ve ever experienced. The second and final day, restoring through education and experience (a bit of re-toxing on my part with stolen coffee). Turns out I’d been brewing green tea the wrong way my entire life – over-brewing to the point of it tasting like expired spinach water. Hot – but not boiling – water, and 1-2 minutes infusion makes liquid gold – I was sold. I might also consider not putting frozen fish finger-equivalent on my skin, afterall.

When it comes to the product itself, the Time Response Skin Renewal Creme is slightly sticky at first touch, but glides over your skin, leaving a comfortable layer of product that is instantly hydrating. I’d highly recommend it as a day-cream to those with eczema, especially those that suffer sensitive, bone-dry skin. Others may prefer to apply it as a night cream, although I find that if you spend some time patting it in, your skin feels lighter than ever. Unlike many perfumed products, this does not sting, and leaves an aftertaste of freshly picked green tea leaves.

* sadly I do have to resort to light retouching when the going gets rough and I still want to run this blog, a bit of transparency that I hope you’ll understand.

Park & Cube was a guest of AMOREPACIFIC 너무 즐거웠어요, 감사합니다 :)

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Top – Zara. Skirt – H&M

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Write a Comment

25 Comments

  1. Did they put you to work to make your own pond water? Just kidding! Honestly, thank you for sharing this. I don’t have eczema, but have been grappling with rosacea and VERY sensitive skin. I moved to London from Florida and thought it would get better (didn’t move for my skin, but that would be hilarious). I too realized that I shouldn’t be fighting my sensitive skin, but preserving my stronger cells. Going to take a look at this skin line. Thanks! x

  2. I feel you, Shini! As a fellow East Asian (Malaysian born, 4th generation Chinese, holla!) I’m always bombarded with questions like “So…how do you Japanese/Korean ladies have such great skin?” to which I only say “I don’t know, ask a Japanese/Korean lady – I’m Chinese!” I’m relatively lucky that my skin knows its place and doesn’t give me sh*t, but all the same I do want to get on the ‘inner beauty leads to outer beauty’ bandwagon so I’m looking forward to your follow up posts. Oh, and I’ve learnt the right way to brew green tea thanks to you – I’ll whip (sip) myself up a pot and dream of those lush Jeju greens… x

    Jasiminne | Posh, Broke, & Bored

  3. Oh I totally get this. My skin was awful as a teenager and it’s still not perfect now and I think photos can be really deceiving. The Korean skin look is knowing how to manipulate the skin – hi Photoshop and beauty blurring Samsung pics! I mean, how is it possible that they don’t have pores? I need that look. But still, their skin care regimen is insane and I get suckered into buying so many products when I am in HK and come across a Korean make up brand. I’ll have to check out some of the Amore Pacific goodies.

    Also yes to the green tea brewing – definitely makes all the difference! I also need to visit Jeju!

    Hey did you ever share your other eczema coping tricks? My sis gets flare ups all the time too like you and is always interested in other people’s skin routines.

  4. I am so happy to see another post from you Shini – they always brighten my day (and make me want to sit in a dark room for 48 hours and master Photoshop/my camera through endless YouTube tutorials…)

    But anyway I know how you feel about skincare. I’ve recently made the switch from normal milk to almond milk and ditching cheese/dairy products (urgh life) and I feel like I’m radiating from the inside. Why are parents always right?
    Sophie xxx
    http://www.fashionnomads.com

  5. What a beautiful post. I never really had issues with my skin. It has always been clear and soft like babies bottom. UNTIL I HIT 30! The last 2-3 years I cannot get it to behave itself considering I eat even less chocolate(I could easily put Cadburys factory out of business)…Need to work from inside out like you mentioned.

    BRUNCH AT LONDON’S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

  6. ‘Foundation and Photoshop’ is the best answer ever! And you made me laugh by your comment about green tea. It´s tough for me also to choose it when there’s a chance to have a coffee instead…

  7. Ollyvia Laura

    GREAT PHOTO AS ALWAYS, LOVE YOUR LEATHER OUTFIT

    NEW POST : TEATOX EXPERIENCE

  8. miri

    WOW! This place looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
    X
    Miri

    http://currentlywearing.com

  9. I totally agree with the whole “beauty comes from within” thing. I had really bad acne for years with terrible scarring and I tried so many different treatments and visited dermatologists, all in vain. Finally I stumped upon an article randomly that suggested dairy can cause acne in certain individuals, so i cut out dairy for 3 months and my skin totally cleared. I’m so careful about what I consume now, even small things really make a difference to your skin.

    And as always, your travel photos are on point. Looking forward to your next post. xx

    http://www.fixatedf.com

  10. I totally agree with the whole “beauty comes from within” thing. I had really bad acne for years with terrible scarring and I tried so many different treatments and visited dermatologists, all in vain. Finally I stumped upon an article randomly that suggested dairy can cause acne in certain individuals, so i cut out dairy for 3 months and my skin totally cleared. I’m so careful about what I consume now, even small things really make a difference to your skin.

    And as always, your travel photos are on point. Looking forward to your next post. xx

    http://www.fixatedf.com

  11. You must, must, must get the Bonavita variable temperature teapot! You can set the temperature per the style of tea you’re brewing & it has this beautiful goose neck spout. When I’m just making my boring, grocery story bagged tea I don’t use it, but when I have friends over I get out my mason jars of loose leaf teas, the good, raw honey, and that teapot to show off my good hosting skills ;)

    Beautiful photos, as always :)

  12. I’ve always thought that good food etc…but I’ve gone vegan (and a “healthy” vegan, tons of veg and grain) and my skin seems to have taken turn for worse. I get bouts of acne now which is really annoying and can really affect my self- esteem. I hope you will post the results!
    Ana
    http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk

  13. I’ve always thought that good food etc…but I’ve gone vegan (and a “healthy” vegan, tons of veg and grain) and my skin seems to have taken turn for worse. I get bouts of acne now which is really annoying and can really affect my self- esteem. I hope you will post the results!
    Ana
    http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk

  14. Love the photos!

    http://theavantguardian.com

  15. Simply beautiful. I always loved the idea of getting to walk through a garden full of tea, to smell it and prepare a fresh tea. I hope I’ll make it true sometime.

  16. This pictures are amazing!!! I love to check your blog.
    I have tried this brand before and I really love it.
    Glamoury Armory Blog

  17. Xandra

    Yea please share your tips to combat eczema! I have long been suffering. I welcome any possible cure. Thank you, Ms. Park!

  18. You are super lovely, no matter photoshop or not, honestly! Who doesn’t want to look their best, right?

    I am so in love with the space of this place and the way (as always), your visuals are being captured and represented. It oozes a zen-like quality and I bet it was quite an experience to spend some quality and quiet ( i hope) time while you were there.

    It would super be a dream come true of I ever visit there, or even Jeju Island for that matter.

    Yucks! I brew green tea + lemon grass the wrong way too!

    Lovely post.

    Hugs,
    Jeann

  19. Such a beautiful post, Shini! Can’t stop visiting!

    – rocionaval.blogspot.com x

  20. Cute outfit! Love that skirt

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  21. Cute outfit! Love that skirt

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  22. Joan

    Speechless….

  23. very similar to innisfree, but more refined/mature looking. Great post!

  24. Indeed, Amore is the parent company to Innisfree so that’s probably why! ;)

  25. […] London-based power blogger (and graphic designer, fashionista, photographer, superior life form) of Park & Cube recently took a trip to Jeju Island with Korean skincare giant AMOREPACIFIC. Amongst a culture of […]