36- The Moon cup!

In Korea , most women use sanitary towels. Tampons are very much rare and expensive for something so disposable.

When my friend from England was going to post a parcel to me, I took a chance with the Moon cup.
I have been thinking about getting one for years but I never thought I'd be buying one so soon.
At the moment I am teaching in Korea and my tampon supply is going to last, I always wondered what I would do after when I go travelling around the world.
Not only is the Moon cup the perfect solution to buying and carrying tampons, it is also much environmentally friendly, cost effective and LEAK FREE!

The Moon cup is a grade A silicone cup which is inserted into the vagina to collect your menstrual flow. The cup placement is much lower in the vagina which makes the product very easy to use, especially younger ladies being scared of pulling out their tampon by the string, or losing tampons inside of them.

I have used the Moon cup now for 3 months now and so far it is becoming more normal to me.
I know over time, this product will be very normal to me that I don't have to spend a little more time in the morning to prepare my day ahead.

The first time of using it, there were a few things which needed to hurdle over.

The placement of the product, how to put it in and get it out and finally the stem length.
The stem length is very important to get it right, otherwise it will jab you basically..it can be uncomfortable.
Over time, just like sanitary towel and tampons, you get used to it and you won't have to think twice.

The product overall is very easy to use, especially if you have graduated in the art of using tampons. Its not a big leap from that but cutting the stem length was a bit nerve wrecking.

The whole cup is made from silicone, so if you cut too much, your  £20 worth of product isn't going to give you its optimal experience.
So be wise and cut a little bit at a time and insert it to check it is just right.
You will know when it is right, trust me. Also wetting the Moon cup first with water is very effective and makes insertion a lot lot easier!
The disposable of your flow may disgust some of you but it is totally normal...in fact quite interesting to see how much you actually dispel.
The product is comfortable and user friendly. The leaflets that came with the Moon cup were full of useful information and that makes using the Moon cup a less daunting task.
If you are thinking about getting one, just go and do it, there are so many benefits!

http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

35- Ealy Grey tea yoghurt cakes

I love baking and this recipe was perfect for the day in which I had no butter but pots of nearly out of date yoghurt!
If you like cake and earl grey tea, this is something you should definitely try and it's very simple to make!
The cakes ended up slightly zesty from the lemon, lightly fragrant from the earl grey tea and overall not a very sweet cake. Ideal with the company of some milky tea.

Early grey tea yoghurt cake

3 tea bags (6/7 grams, it doesn't matter too much)

60 mls milk

150g self raising flour

100g ground almonds

215g caster sugar

1 tsp salt

1tsp baking powder

1 zest and juice of a lemon (lazy lemon if you don't have the real thing)

60ml vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

2 eggs

Optional: Some flaked almonds and chocolate chips sprinkled on top for decoration.

Instructions

1. Empty the tea leaves from the tea bags and place the milk into a microwaveable bowl. Heat up the milk on a low heat and stir the tea leaves for the flavour to brew into the milk. Leave aside.
2. Measure out the ground almonds, flour, sugar and salt, baking powder and sift through a sieve into a bowl. 
3. In another bowl, whisk the yoghurt,  oil , lemon juice, zest and vanilla essence until combined. Stir in th earl grey tea leaves and milk and mix.
4. In a small bowl, crack the egg and give it a little whisk to aerate the eggs for a light texture.
5. Combine the whisked eggs into the other wet ingredients bowl and combine until smooth.
6. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold the ingredients delicately, don't over mix it.
7. Place the mixture into the desired cake tins or cupcake cups.
8. Sprinkle crushed flaked almonds and chocolate chips onto the top if desired
9. Bake for 25 mins for cupcakes and around 45 mins for a cake, skewer the middle of the cake time to time to see it is cooked. A clean skewer is ideal, if it isn't it will need to be in the oven for longer.

Lastly, enjoy eating your scrumptious cake!

34- Skinfood Argan oil silk hair mask

My hair isn't and hasn't been in a good condition in years.
My friends often recall my hair as being a rat's tail or hay, which I don't blame them for.
My hair is brittle, dry and prone to being fluffy and having split ends but I think it is all due to my every day hair washing.
I just can't stop myself though, I don't know how to style unwashed, freshly out of bed hair!
My hair is everywhere, tangly and even sometimes slightly greased

So I bought this hair mask for about £5 for 200g and I use this just about every week.

Skinfood claims:
A hair mask with argan oil and silk that transforms dry damaged hair into healthy shiny tresses.
Argan oil nourishes hair and increases the moisture content.
18 amino acids, proteins and peptides in silk replenish lost nutrients.

My boyfriend likes to call the silky sensation felt on the hair as 'feeling like seaweed'.
You can decide for yourself whether this is good or not but I can definitely tell the difference when it is used.
The silky feeling on the hair isn't like any other conditioner or mask I have ever used and it is so hard to describe.
After washing my hair, I wring my hair so most of the excess water has gone. I place a whole generous dollop into my hair and start off rubbing the product into the ends of my hair, where it is most needed.
Around 5 minutes or sometimes more, depending on how long you stay in the shower for, I rinse all the product out and I'm left with soft, smooth, fly aways free hair!
I would say the results lasts for 2 days with my hair and it wears off...so maybe I need something better?
The mask smells nice, nothing special and isn't very strong.
The consistency is quite thick in appearance and looks opaque like mayonnaise.
I am yet to try using this mask more than once a week to see optimal results, but I will post an edit.

Overall this product is nice and isn't overly expensive but if you have extremely damaged hair then maybe it is best to use it more than once a week on top of your normal conditioner.
I would recommend this product to normal /slightly damaged haired girls and boys but maybe something more intensive is needed for the very damaged and dried type.

33- Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

I have had this Pore Wonder Freshner for quite a while now, maybe just over 4 months.
I don't actually have large pores but it was just the 7 benefits in 1 product that sold it to me.
I like multi-fuctional products so this was something I was very drawn to.

The Pore Wonder claims:

Deep pore cleansing

Maintains a good pH balance

Controls sebum

Minimises the appearance of pores

Refines skin tone

Keeps the elasticity of pores

Moisturises the inside and outside of skin

After using this countless time, I don't prefer this what is essentially a toner to my Missha First Treatment Essence Toner (It is apparently very similar to SKII's facial treatment essence toner, I will do a review later).
I find that the toner is generic, maybe I need to have larger pores to really appreciate the difference!
Yes the toner leaves my skin soft and hydrates, it gets rid of excess makeup but there is nothing special about it. I have not noticed any other effects on my skin.
The scent of the toner isn't very strong, just a slight clean smell.
At the moment I am trying to use up this product by using it day and night.
In the morning I spray this onto my face before I apply on any makeup and at night I use it before moisturising and serums.
I think this product is also called a freshner because if you store it in a spray bottle, it would revitalise your makeup through the day while doing the things it claims.

Overall, try this product if you have larger pores. Maybe you need to get the cleansing foam and clay mask in junction with toner to get the best results.
The toner isn't particularly pricey, just under £5 so if you want to try it, it's not going to break your bank.
I will not be repurchasing however..I'm sure there is something better for me out there, I'm not too sure if this product was best aimed for me.

32- Spiced apple cake!

I have literally just made this cake now and thought, considering I have a photo I should share with you the recipe!

Baking in Korea is quite expensive, especially if you are using butter!
When we go to larger supermarkets like Lotte Marts or Homeplus, the butter there varies in price of course according to what you get.
A decent wad of butter costs near £4 for 450g! And that's the best deal I've seen so far!

This cake was very easy to make as well as quick and delicious!
The original recipe states using cooking apples but I used normal eating apples for mine.
I can't find cooking apples here..I don't think Korea has any or imports any in.

Overall this cake was nice and moist, slightly chewy and sticky at the edges.
The balance of spices were very nice against the sweet apples. The cake is definitely moreish as this cake is over half gone and there's only the 2 of us!
I placed thin apple slices on the top of the cake with cinnamon sugar to make it look prettier.
I stupidly forgot to reduce the amount of sugar though...but that's okay, it was sweet but bearable!

Cake ingredients
220g self raising flour
220g cooking apples (use eating apples if you prefer but lower your sugar to 200g)
275g sugar (or 200g)
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp all spice
A pinch of salt

Topping
Optional cinnamon sugar- 3:1 ratio of sugar to cinnamon. Mix the 2 ingredients together and you're done!

1. Cream the butter and sugar together.
2. Sift the flour, salt, spices into the same bowl.
3. Chop up your apples in small dices or into small dices and enough thin apple slices to cover your cake tin. (A round cake tin is what I used, 20 inches)
4. Place the egg and stir everything together (at this point everything looks a bit dry but it's okay, you need to wait for a few minutes for the apple juices to seep into the mixture)
5. Butter up your cake in and pour in mixture
6. 180 c and 25-30 minutes later- viola! 

31- Skinfood Watery Berry Serum

I waited for my pay check to buy this serum, not because it was expensive but I felt like I needed a reason to buy it. I have so many other things to use up first!

I really like this serum, I have received endless samples from purchasing other Skinfood products before I made my decision.
I have oily skin which is majorly on my T-zone, I wouldn't say I'm the oiliest person in the world but I'm probably in the middle. I usually have to blot my face or powder myself or I'd feel very uncomfortable, the feeling of wearing a mask on my face.

This product is watery, like in its name. I like that it's very light and refreshing, not thick or sticky so the absorption time is very quick. My beauty regimes and application of make up is all about being quick, I am quite a lazy person and don't have the patience to wait, or at least get out of bed earlier to do things without rushing..
I literally get out of the shower, apply this serum on straight away and within 15 seconds I am left with soft and moisturised skin.
The berry fragrance can be described as slightly artifical...but it's not too overpowering or sickly.
I choose to buy the serum over the emulsion as well because I thought it did a much better job. Even though the emulsion is cheaper and contains more product, you need a lot more product to get the same results.
As for packaging, the emulsion does not come with a pump! So using this product in combination that it is a glass bottle design with a narrow opening would be more difficult than necessary! Skinfood, if you are reading this, you need pumps on glass bottled products!
My serum packaging is definitely very nice, the bottle shape, how you can see the product, having pump, the irridescent glitter and overall wintery design makes my make up area a little bit nicer to look at!

Overall I really like this product, I have been using it for over a month now. I would say it's going to be on my repurchase list BUT I need to go and try a few other products from their brand first. I only have 6 more months of endless choices, lots of samples and cheaper prices!
This product is ideal for people who don't like thick moisturisers, likes to feel refreshed, as well as the oily skinned.

30- Skinfood Nut Nail Vita

This was the first product I bought from Skinfood and it wasn't a disappointment! I am in love with it!
My intentions were for that day was to just buy a clear nail varnish, but giving a second thought I should buy a nail strengthener.

My Nail story (ignore this paragraph if you frankly don't care)
My nails have had a rough journey, due to poor diet (I think) as a child my nails were also very fragile, they would get very soft after in contact with water, split into two layers or chip off. I could never manage to grow them past 1mm of white! In High school, I developed a habit of chewing my nails one day because I was so bored in an English class. I have to admit, when my dad discovered my bad habit and asked me why I did it and was it because it was delicious in a sarcastic manner to put me off, I responded YES in my head!
I kicked the habit after much hassle, eagle eyes and nasty tasting nail varnish but soon after my teenage years kicked in and nail varnish was the bane of my life!
They discolored, dried out my nails, made them split, crack, chip, everything bad...and university lifestyle soon made them worse. I was changing my nail varnish around 2/3 times a week without a basecoat because I am a lazy bugger.

Anyway, long story short. After moving to Korea I can definitely notice that my healthier diet choices and this product have made them a lot better. They are actually strong instead of soft and bendable!

Skinfood says:
Containing anti-aging vitamin E and keratin proteins, the substance of nails, this nail strengthener will protect your nails from cracking and breaking, for a smooth healthy appearance.

This product is easy to apply and dried very quickly, well within 30 seconds!
The price is very affordable (around £1.50) the quality is not in any way compromised.
The brush is very nice to use and makes application very quick and effortless. I can do my nails within 1 minute and they'll be nice and glossy.
With this product, you can layer it by applying it 2/3 times a week and then taking it off with normal nail varnish remover by the end of the week, the produce can then be done all over again.
I am very low maintenance so when I notice most of the product has chipped off, I will reapply.
It also functions as a basecoat or even a top coat if you want to use colour! A very versatile product.
I have sent this to one of my friends in England and they have told me too that they love it.
Overall this is a product very much worth having, it does your nails wonders, dried quickly, its versatile and it won't break your bank! Give it a go and tell me what you think!

29- NUXE Reve de Miel Stick Levres Hydratant tick

This lipbalm is definitely not worth the hype..well the stick form that is!

I have heard so many good things about this lipbalm on youtube and on blogs that when I saw it, without contemplating I just bought it!
Unfortunately the stick form isn't as good as the jar form! As I have researched after the purchase...
The formulation is different.

Nuxe claims:
NUXE Reve de Miel Stick Levres Hydratant Lip Moisturizing Stick nourishes, repairs, soothes and protects the lips with Precious Sunflower and Macadamia Nut Oils, Barley Extract, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Honey and Vitamin E derivative.
and..
NUXE Reve de Miel Stick Levres Hydratant Lip Moisturizing Stick has been tested in extremely cold conditions in Canada, and has proven to protect against external aggression (88%*). Softness and suppleness are restored to lips (75%*).
(I have to disagree there Nuxe..)

I have tried convincing myself that this was a good purchase for a long time, just because I normally spend about £2 or even less for a chapstick. Having spending nearly a fiver on this lipbalm I was in denial as it was unforgivable!
The application goes on smoothly but it is very thin with a light citrus honey scent and flavour. The appearance of the lipbalm gives no shine, it's matte which is nice.
I took this lipbalm for a 3 day camping trip for a test, thinking this was all my lips needed and I was very wrong!
No matter how much I slavered on, my lips were not getting any better or moisturised..they were doing the opposite and drying up! None of the product was sinking it, it just laid on top as a layer and rubbed off gradually. My lip was painfully cracked in the middle with dried flaking skin everywhere! My lips felt so unbearable, that I subconsciously started licking them!

After further determination, still denying I have bought a rubbish lipbalm I have realised something...this lipbalm is only good if your lips are already moisturised. Wow, I found a positive! That's it. Nada. There is nothing further good I have to say.
I wouldn't recommend buying this lipbalm, maybe buying the jar version would be better..but considering the price I think there are better things out there!

28- L'occitane shea butter mango flower hand lotion

I am definitely one of those girls who don't take any notice to their hands or feet, but this hand cream needs to be applauded, so this is probably going to my first and last blog post ever about hand cream.
Shea Butter Mango Flower hand lotion..even the name sounds enticing!
I received this hand lotion for my birthday from a work colleague. She watched me open the L'occitane bag to reveal another smaller bag to reveal the hand lotion, my smile sank slightly as soon as noticed it was hand cream. Obviously I am not the ungrateful sort and I know it's the thought that counts but it was the fact that I never got over my fear. The fear of feeling sticky and clammy hands from when I was a child. I had a case of years of eczema on my legs and I was always forced to rub in big dollops of hydrocortisone on them!
Now with the side story over...

The 20% Shea butter content is super moisturising and a little goes a long way. I literally only have to use a small pea size to over both hands, but my hands are on the smaller side mind you..
The cream sinks into the skin very quickly leaving smooth skin without leaving a greasy film. I can apply the lotion on, give it a few rubs and concentrating around my cuticles, grab my pen and get back to work without feeling horribly sticky.
The scent is light, fragrant and clean at the same time, not the smell of artificial chemicals. Once the lotion is absorbed, the smell lingers lightly and isn't overpowering.
The consistency of the cream isn't thin and watery, it's a nice and thick.
The packaging is in an aesthetically pleasing paint style tube which you can roll up to disperse the product. The colour and pattern adds a nice colourful touch to an otherwise boring item.
Although this hand cream is a bit of a splurge, I urge you to try it even if it's just testing it in a department store. Try before you buy. It is incredibly moisturising, the results are instant and the scent is lovely. I have not tried any of the other scents but I recommend this product to any die-hard hand cream users or hoarders out there..

27- Skinfood sugar scrub foam

In South Korea beauty and cosmetics is a very big deal..oh and so is plastic surgery. Having the highest cosmetic surgery percentage, Koreans feel very competitive about their looks and appearances! Everyone is obsessed with their make-up, checking in their mirrors every 5 minutes, going on barely nothing diets and are gym crazy! A lot of Korean celebrities have had surgery of all sorts...some before and after shots are totally unrecognisable and it's no secret!

Anyway trailing off subject.. Korea is full of very good high quality, decently priced products and Skinfood's sugar scrub foam is one of them.

Skinfood claims that Brazillian sugar used is mineral rich and will smoothly cleanse off the dead layers of skin, leaving moist skin behind.

The sugar scrub starts off as an exfoliating product but then melts away to a creamy foam cleanser. The scrub foam isn't as rough as the scrub you can get, so it is ideal for people who wants or needs a mild exfoliation everyday. I've not experienced any bad reactions or dry skin patched from this, only really smooth and soft skin.
The scent is absolutely delicious, it reminds me a baked goods and cupcakes..sweet, sugary, vanilla goodness and a splash of lemon!
The sugar scrub is well priced being only around £4.50 for 160g in the UK, so even if you decide to not like it (which you would be crazy not to), it's okay. You've not spent over the fiver mark, it's inexpensive!

I reccomend this product to anyone who is thinking about buying it to go and do so! You will not regret this purchase! This product is definitely on my repurchase list!
If you find this scrub slightly too harsh, wet your face and your hands instead of just the hands before you apply it onto your face. It will help soften and melt the sugar.

What I really like about Skinfood is their abundance of freebies when you purchase the smallest of things. Free cotton pads is always available and over the counter they give you a varied amount for you to sample and try out! It is beaty junkie heaven!

26- A long long hiatus.

I have currently been in South Korea for the last 5 months teaching English at a hagwan in Ulsan, Samsan area.

It's really nice here and we've definitely made it a home.
It is true what they say about S. Korea being safe. I have never once felt insecure about my safety, you never have to watch out for your posessions, walking home at night is fine, everyone here is always very friendly and kind.
On a whole, living cost is very low here for food, clothes, transportation, alcohol.., utility bills and so forth!
South Korea is definitely a country to come to for a cultural experience and saving money!

Anyway I'm really excited to be back to show you what cool things there are to buy here, what exciting foods there are to eat, to show you the different varieties of delicious snacks and of course the cosmetics!

I have been venturing through brands such as Skinfood, Etude House, Missha, The Face shop and more! I have to admit, mostly Skinfood though..I am a sucker to the food based products!

The first post is coming soon and it's going to be the Skinfood black sugar scrub foam!