Showing posts with label Haul. Show all posts

August Hauls

lavlilacs August 2019 haul Glow Recipe, Peach & Lily sample sales

Even though I have only attended 3 of the 5 Peach & Lily sample sales, August is now a month I look forward to every year purely because of their mega-discounts. I was surprised by the products and pricing last year (as opposed to the year prior) but everything felt very familiar this time around. The location was the same. The layout was identical. Most brands and products offered last year were available this year and at the same prices. The biggest difference was probably in the manpower (in terms of check-out speed and frequent restocking).

I typically go to the sale hoping to get some new products to try. Since I have tried so many of the things they stocked at the sale this year, I found myself repurchased items that I enjoyed using. The biggest unexpected splurge was in the amount of makeup I picked up; Peach & Lily tagged them at $5 each in commemoration of their sample sale's 5th year anniversary. This included liners of many styles, palettes, lipsticks, and more. Plus, 90% of it was JUNGSAEMMOOL which on average retails ~$30+ each.

lavlilacs June 2019 haul Glow Recipe, Peach & Lily sample sales skincare makeup

Peach & Lily's 5th Annual Sample Sale (*Repurchases)
$1 Goodies:
Abib Gummy sheet mask Madeca sticker x3 Orig. $4

$2 Goodies:
Abib facial soap ivory brick Orig. $19
Abib facial soap grey brick Orig. $19

$5 Goodies:
aromatica Orange Blossom Toner Orig. $34
CREMORLAB O2 Couture Hydra Balancing Toner Orig. $29

$10 Goodies:
CREMORLAB O2 Couture Hydra Intensive Cream Orig. $40
*Abib Hydration gel Orig. $42
*Abib Hydration creme Orig. $42

$15 Goodies:
*Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream Orig. $36
Eco Your Skin No. 15 Cream Orig. $55
*aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet Orig. $35

$20 Goodies:
Abib Hypoderma SP1-2GF SErum Orig. $92

$30 Goodies:
*Femmue Lumiere Vital C Orig. $88

$5 Makeup Grabs:
JUNGSAEMMOOL Refining Multi Eye Drawing - All Black x2 Orig. $23
JUNGSAEMMOOL Refining Multi Eye Drawing - Maple Brown x2 Orig. $23
*JUNGSAEMMOOL Artist Concealer Palette - Blend Orig. $45
JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Star Zone Brightener - Rose Orig. $29
JUNGSAEMMOOL High Color Lipstick High Matt - Ginger Brown Orig. $29
JUNGSAEMMOOL High Tinted Lip Laquer - Extreme Red Orig. $23
JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Glow Base - Pink Glow Orig. $32
W.Lab Real Fit Brush Eyeliner - Real Black Orig. ??

lavlilacs June 2019 haul Glow Recipe, Peach & Lily sample sales skincare makeup

Glow Recipe also surprised with their own sample sale earlier in August but for very different reasons than Peach & Lily. The brand was trying to rid their non-brand items to focus on their new business endeavors. Discounts weren't nearly as steep and surprisingly there was a limit per item. As the sale came closer to an end though they tacked on extra discounts for buying quantity (i.e. Buy 4 items 20% off, Buy 6 get 25% off, Buy 8 get 30% off).

To be honest, I wouldn't have gotten most of the things I got had it not been the bonus discount. I was only very interested in the YURIPIBU and leegeehaam ampoules. It was surprising to see the Glow Recipe Avocado mask but later found out they were releasing their newly reformulated Retinol Avocado mask the same day/week so it made sense for them to try to rid old stock.

Glow Recipe's Sample Sale:
YURIPIBU Asiatica Calming Ampoule $25
leegeehaam Glow Vita Propolis Ampoule $18
make p:rem Peel me. Radiance peeling sleeping pack $18
Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask $23
common labs Ggultamin B, C, and E Real Ampoule Mask $3 each

This summer in general seemed to be the time forpop-ups from the various Korean e-businesses based in NYC. June and July were Krave Beauty and Then I Met You. August was Soko Glam, Glow Recipe, and Peach & Lily. With Soko Glam's residency in Soho being a full month long with abundannt IG story mentions, I couldn't not stop by even once.

I love being able to see some of the stuff they curate in person. There isn't anything like being able to touch and smell the product before deciding to purchase. They even had a sink available for visitors to get the full experience of the makeup removers and cleansers which I think all beauty/skincare shops should offer.

I visited a week too early and missed out on the end-of-pop-up discounts. But perhaps it was for the better because I controlled myself better and only allowed for a small purchase of a cleansing balm to replace my current, almost empty, tub.

Soko Glam's NYC Pop Up Shop:
E NATURE Moringa cleansing balm $23

June Hauls

lavlilacs June 2019 haul Krave Beauty, Glow Beauty, RoseRoseShop, Shibuyala

The logical side of me wants to say it was a coincidence and give it an excuse. Glow Recipe suddenly announced they were clearing everything that wasn't their own creation. Krave Beauty surprisingly has a pop-up in NYC and items sold-out online were available in-store. My sunscreen stash was close to depleted. I finally spotted Flowfushi's Moteliner that many on Youtuber rave about on an unplanned beauty store visit at St. Mark's.

If I am honest with myself, this monstrosity of a haul is 100% retail therapy. The months of April and May were some of the hardest times for me emotionally and everything, including taking care of myself, were barely things I had the spare care for. As the days passed and I needed to adapt to a new sense of normalcy, I turned to the things that brought small joys in my life to give me an excuse to mentally escape...even if that means I may have overindulged. Timing of the what companies were going through just fueled me a teeny bit.

lavlilacs June 2019 haul Krave Beauty, Glow Beauty, RoseRoseShop, Shibuyala skincare makeup sunscreens

Glow Recipe's Glow All Out Sale:
J.ONE Black Jelly Pack
make p:rem Radiance Me. Cleansing Water Oil

RoseRoseShop:
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Brown - Gray Brown
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black
Etude House Proof 10 Gel Pencil Liner - Dark Cacao
Missha Ultra Powerproof Pencil Liner - Black
BANILA CO. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm - Nourishing
Healing Bird Scalp Clear Cleansing pack
A'PIEU Madecassoside Ampoule
COSRX Propolis Light Ampule
Laneige Cream Skin Refiner
Laneige Anti Pollution Two Tone Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++
A'PIEU Cicative Zinc Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++
Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++
Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Mild Sun (Enjoy Edition) + Dr. Jart Dermaclear Micro pH Foam
Goodal Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA++++
Dermatory Hypoallergenic Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA++++

Shibuyala:
FLOWFUSHI Moteliner - Navy Black

Krave Beauty's Naked Nolita Pop-up:
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
Krave Beauty Kale-lalu-yAHA + mini freebie
Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
Krave Beauty The Beet Shield
Press Reset pin

March Hauls

lavlilacs March 2019 haul oo35mm Korean sunscreens

March is always a tough month for me when it comes to spending. Most purchases are fueled by the thought of, it's my birthday just once a year. What's a little splurge?

I like to think I did alright this time around. Of the items I actually paid for, half were to replace product categories I constantly use up (cleanisng balm and cleanser) and the other half was completely impulsive (highlighter stick and cream blush). The other items were "free" with point usage.

lavlilacs March 2019 haul oo35mm Korean sunscreens

Glossier Cloud paint - Dusk
Glossier Haloscope - Quartz
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday Gift - Drunk Elephant edition
AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peeling Masque
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
BANILA CO. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm - Nourishing

February Haul

lavlilacs February 2019 haul oo35mm Korean sunscreens

The theme for last month's beauty purchases circled around sunscreens. While I have been pretty open to trying more "chemical" sun protection lately, the ones I picked up this time are of the "physical" variety. I just happened to be running low on the current sunscreens, but the overarching reason for the selection I made is because I am about to head on a cruise later today and the destinations specifically ban certain chemically organic ingredients (Oxybenzone and Octinoxate) for the health of corals. How would they check if everyone's sunscreens are safe or not is beyond me; at least I will feel less guilty about it in my heart and mind.

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+ PA+++
COSRX Shield Fit All Green Comfort Sun SPF 50+ PA++++
A'PIEU Madecassoside Sun Cream SPF 39 PA++

I scoured Sephora, drugstores, and most K-Beauty carrying stores in NYC to find these three "mineral" sunscreens that seemed to have the least amount of white cast. The Etude House one has been a long time favorite in the K-Beauty loving community but is, surprisingly, my first time trying it. The COSRX and A'PIEU ones seem to be recent launches yet both look very promising with the addition of the beloved Centella Asiatica. I will only bring the Etude House and COSRX sunscreens onto the cruise since they claim to have higher UVA and UVB coverage than the A'PIEU. Let's hope I apply and reapply well to avoid any major burning/skin damage whilst away.

December & January Hauls

lavlilacs December 2018 January 2019 hauls Harmon's Face Values, drugstore

Maybe the ongoing trend will be me purchasing makeup brushes and products for my feet at the end of one year and the beginning of another? At least that is how it has been 2017 going into 2018 and, likewise, 2018 going into 2019.

I go into my stash drawer more often now than ever. I constantly remind myself of all the stuff I have and don't need to buy. But old shopping habits die hard, I guess; less skincare means more other stuff like brushes and foot balms. At least this kind of purchases seems to only happen once a year at most and only because of sales & coupons.

Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blushed Brush
Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection
Real Techniques Perfect Crease Duo
Real Techniques Eye Smudge + Diffuse
Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief CICA Balm
Aveeno Crack Skin Relief CICA Ointment

The brushes were picked up from Harmon's Face Values in December when they were having a sale/clearance on Real Technique brushes. I believe the sets were 25% off and the Bold Metals blush brush was discounted.

In recent memory, the Aveeno CICA line is the only beauty-related TV ad I saw and was immediately intrigued by. It came at the right time when my heels were cracked and as centella asiatica gains momentum in America skincare. I have yet to try either balm or ointment but am excited about the promised outcomes.

November Hauls

lavlilacs November 2018 hauls Urban Outfitters, Macy's, Shiseido,souvenir from China, drugstore

I think I can proudly say I didn't get sucked into the beauty related Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals this month. Even though there were some good discounts for Peach & Lily, Soko Glam, and Sephora I reminded myself of all the stuff I have yet to open and reigned myself back.

The few things I did get this month were with coupons, on sale (outside of the holiday ones), or were given to me as gifts. What's new?

Purchased:
Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Tint Pen - 365 Deep Brown Orig. $9.99 After Coupon(s) $4.24
Maybelline Total Temptations Brow Definer - 315 Deep Brown Orig. $7.99 After Coupon(s) $3.49
Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Mist Mist Orig. $24 Sale + After Coupon(s) $9.99
Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment Orig. $24.49 After Coupon(s) $15.99

Gifts:
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate Orig. $100
miacare Acne Patch x5 Orig. RMB ~$18 each

lavlilacs November 2018 hauls Macy's Shiseido

lavlilacs November 2018 hauls souvenirs from China - mia care acne patches

lavlilacs November 2018 hauls couponing and sales - CVS drugstore and Urban Outfitters

September & October Hauls

lavlilacs September October 2018 hauls Urban Outfitters, Sephora, Taiwan souvenir

The past couple of months haven't been very exciting in terms of beauty purchases. I realize I don't need much in my stash after, basically, overdosing from the Peach & Lily sale. The purchases I ended up making were mostly due to sales and coupons to fill in for categories I couldn't/didn't shop at the sample sale.

UO had a bunch of random beauty sales through the month and I racked up a bunch of $5 coupons from their, relatively new, revamped UO Rewards system (which is still pretty ambiguous but not terrible). Bestie C offered her 15% VIB code during the Appreciation Event in September and I took the opportunity to finally get a scalp scrub to try against my oily hair.

Urban Outfitters purchase:
stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - Intense Black Orig. $22 Sale $18
ohii mini mascara Orig. $16 Sale $14
NatureLab Perfect Volume Texture Mist Orig. $12 Sale $10
TONYMOLY Dr.Logy Blemish Pair Capsule Ampoule Orig. $24 Sale $10.49

Miscellaneous:
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Seat Salt Orig. $24 Sale $10.49
Nexcare Acne Patches "souvenirs" from Aunt's Taiwan trip x12

August Haul

lavlilacs August 2018 hauls Peach and Lily sample sale

You would think a seasoned beauty sample sale shopper would have been more sensible. It isn't like I don't have a stash of unopened products at the ready. I do and some are actually from Peach & Lily's 2017 sample sale. If I had to place the blame on anything, my mindset going in this time around was 100% different. My goal was to try new brands and products Peach & Lily offered which I normally wouldn't solely because of the price tag. Great deals were scored, self-control was just a teeny bit lost.

Price categories were generally the same this year: Green $10, Yellow $15, Pink $25, Purple $30, and Red $40. Sheet masks and smaller nicknacks ranged from $2 to $5.

There was a shift in the categories of emphasis and things, in general, seemed pricier this year. Most products were grouped in the $15 and $25 sections, rather than $10 and $15 groups. The $10 tables had a good selection but it was mostly cleansers, "extras" like essences/small sized serums, and single-use rubber modeling masks. The focus was on the newer curated brands to Peach & Lily (Femmue, Eco Your Skin, JUNGSAEMMOOL, Ground Plan), whereas last year included a few sneak-peaks at future curations. I was surprised there weren't any mists or sunscreens in the mix this time around. What is even more surprising was the lack of Peach & Lily's own collection of products.

lavlilacs August 2018 hauls Peach and Lily sample sale $10 picks

My loot from the $10 category:

JUNGSAEMMOOL Refining Color-bony Brow - Smoky Bony Orig. $21
Eco Your Skin Layering Essence Ringer Drip - Whitening Orig. $25
Eco Your Skin Layering Essence Ringer Drip - Oily Orig. $25
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Hyaluronic Acid Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Vitamin B5 Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Booster Serum - Ceramide Orig. $35
Eco Your Skin Oil to Foam Cleanser Orig. $34

The eyebrow pencil was a pleasant surprise and only repurchase item in my entire order. I believe Smoky Bony was the only shade available at the sample sale, which works great for me and my black locks. At $10 a pop I was highly tempted to grab it all but I do want to try other eyebrow pencils in future.

The bags of essences and syringe-shaped serums were top on my mental list to get, if available. The delivery method and packaging are so unique. Their retail price tags are far too steep, however, for the amount of product in each bag/tube. This seemed like the best opportunity to give it a try.

lavlilacs August 2018 hauls Peach and Lily sample sale $15 picks

My picks from the $15 category:

Femmue Extraordinary Beauty Cleansing Balm Orig. $42
Femmue Flower Infused Fine Peel Orig. $42
Femmue Flower Infused Fine Mask Orig. $40
Rose by Dr. Dream Rose Line Mild Natured Powder Cleanser Orig. $38
Aromatica Tea Tree Purifying Tonic Scalp Tonic Orig. $19
Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet Orig. $35

Femmue was an unplanned grab. I vaguely remember seeing it on Peach & Lily's Instagram and just thought it was aesthetically pleasing but pricey. Once I actually got to read the product descriptions both the peel and mask seem like products I would enjoy at the moment (exfoliation and hydration).

One can never have too many cleansing balms and cleansers at home. I use tubs and bottles of those regularly and far too quickly.

The scalp tonic was an impulsive buy. I almost didn't realize it was on the table until Alicia Yoon, Peach & Lily's founder, said it was great for oily and itchy scalps. Hook, line, and sinker~ Now that I am home and can compare the price difference this was the worst "deal" of my purchase.

lavlilacs August 2018 hauls Peach and Lily sample sale $25 picks

My choices from the $25 category:

JUNGSAEMMOOL Artist Eyeshadow Palette - Neutral and Tender Orig. $48
Eco Your Skin Moisture Wall Surge Complex Orig. $80

Continuing with impulsive decisions. I picked these two up after circling the entire sale area at least a couple times.

An eyeshadow palette from JUNGSAEMMOOL has always been on my wishlist yet I could never justify hoarding any more eyeshadows. My only rationale this time is how could I not at practically 50% off?

The "Moisture Wall Surge" was a last minute addition after I realized I hadn't picked up a moisturizer/cream. There were a ton of options but most seemed geared towards anti-aging and/or very dry skin. I also did not realize what a steal moisturizers were at the sale! Most retail for $50+ and were selling at 50-70% discount.

lavlilacs August 2018 hauls Peach and Lily sample sale pricier picks

My gem from the $30 category:

Femmue Lumiere Vital C Orig. $88

My gem from the $40 category:

Eco Your Skin Meso Ampoule Orig. $130

Both of these are super impulsive yet complete steals of the whole experience. I skipped over the luxury area last year because all its, very limited, offerings were geared towards anti-aging (mostly Shangpree). Femmue and Eco Your Skin serums/ampoules caught my attention this year. Vitamin C has been on my list to try, more consistently, and the vitamin C derivative Lumiere uses seems like a good segue. The Meso Ampoule claims to have some kind of micro-needling technology to help stimulate skin rejuvenation which would hopefully help with acne scarring.

July Haul

lavlilacs July 2018 hauls

I stopped masking once I cleared out my aging stash of sheet masks last year. Perhaps I had used up so many of them in such a short period of time that I had a slight aversion to it? Maybe as they gained popularity so did the prices and variety...which only meant I can easily get overwhelmed and just abort the purchase altogether.

Modeling masks are fun though. They are different, far more interactive. Most are also expensive for a single use product. When I see a sale on any of them, you bet I would use it as an excuse to sneak some into my shopping cart. That is exactly how the MD'S PICK Peel-off Modeling Masks in Lux Gold Nutrient Treatment and Aqua H.C. Moist Collagen wound up in my hands. Urban Outfitters had them on sale for USD $4.99 (orig. USD $9). Still pricey but since it's only 2...

June Haul

lavlilacs June 2018 hauls

The goal is still to hoard less and purchase only when necessary. June seems to have been a success of sorts. One item is going to be a replacement for something I am running low on and the other is not a need in my collection but inexpensive enough to not warrant too much scrutiny, I hope.

My current eyebrow pencil is still months away from its end; I just like having a replacement on hand before that time comes. I can always work with eyeshadows had I not bought a backup but nothing beats the speediness and ease of a pencil. I chose to go with the Innisfree Brow Master Pencil in #1 Gray because it was double-ended, included an eyebrow powder, and color seems to match my natural black hair well. I also wanted to give something more affordable (at USD $11) a try as the last few I had were all higher-end brow pencils (USD $20+).

The Ordinary's 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is 100% unnecessary to me right this moment as I had bought the Olivarrier Fluid Oil Squalane just 3 months prior—which is still unopened. However, I was already at Deciem's storefront in Soho to pick up something for my brother and was curious how their much cheaper option of squalane (USD $7.90) would fair against the pricier option (USD $42). It is such a huge cost difference, how could I not pick it up?

May Haul

lavlilacs May 2018 hauls

Just because I went a whole month without sharing anything beauty related on the blog doesn't mean I haven't kept my eyes peeled for interesting sales. Nothing truly piqued my interested since the JUNGSAEMMOOL purchase, so I thought I got through 2 months of no-buy. The keyword here is thought.

oo35mm sent out a newsletter with some interesting sale items the last week or so of May and my impromptu no-buy was therefore broken. The damage done wasn't too alarming this time around.

Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.  Orig. $18.99 + 20% off. $15.19
Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner 100ml. No Sale. $11.99
Benton Honest Tea Tree Mist. Orig. $11.99 + 20% off. $9.59
Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer Waterproof. Orig. $7.99 + 30% off. $5.59
Manyo Factory Skin Renew Vita E Ampoule. Orig. $18.00 + 50% off. $9.00

This month's justifications: My main objective was to purchase the Benton mist since I have heard good reviews for the brand overall but still have yet to try anything. When I saw that the Pyunkang Yul mist wasn't overly expensive and larger in size in comparison to the Benton mist it found its way into my basket as well. I have been meaning to get a hydrating lotion to use with the compressed sheet masks I bought a while back, Hadalabo just came to mind first. The Etude House eye primer and Manyo Factory ampoule were impulse buys. I spotted them in the sale section of the store; both items seem to have good reviews...what better chance to try them out than now?

March Hauls - JSM Beauty Global

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Jungsaemmool JSM Beauty Global

This is the largest single-brand purchase I have ever made beauty-wise. While the act of buying from JUNGSAEMMOOL's newly launched Global e-commerce site was planned, the products I had in my cart fluctuated all month long until I couldn't think about it any longer. It seemed the longer I waited to finally place my order, the more interesting new releases the brand made.

Wants definitely won out in the battle between what I needed in my routine and what I wanted just to have in my collection. The ultimate justification was to pick what would be difficult to get elsewhere officially (i.e. Peach & Lily, Global Lotte, and Global Hyundai H-Mall). While the pricing on JSM Beauty's US site is a few dollars higher, it does have the entire range of products currently out and GWP (gift with purchases) bundles others don't carry.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Jungsaemmool JSM Beauty Global closeup

The finalists that made my cart:

  • Essential Star-cealer Foundation Illuminous - 21 Medium
  • Essential Skin Nuder Cushion (plus refill) - 21 Medium
  • Essential Skin Nuder Long Wear Cushion Refill only - 21 Medium
  • Artist Layer Concealing Base Limited Set (full-size plus mini) - Light
  • Refining Edge Eye Pencil - Soul Brown
  • Start Dtoxeed Oil Balm Set (headband plus cleansing mitt)
  • Pre-tect Sun Extrem Set (3 sheet masks + travel toner)
  • Pre-tect Sun Waterfull Set (3 sheet masks + travel toner)
  • GWP for spending at least $170 (various samples they specifically specify in promotion)

Getting one of all her foundations in a single order is 100% overkill but I was fueled by the uncertainty of when the "Grand Opening - Free Shipping over $100" offer would expire. I became especially curious about her other base products after trying the original Essential Star-cealer Foundation in 23 Medium-Deep. I liked the coverage and finish but felt it a tad too dark and dry for the less humid winter months. The Illuminous version in a lighter shade seems like the most obvious option to get as it looks just like the original yet promises a dewier and more hydrating finish. Cushions are great just because it is so fuss-free. I have decision issues...I know.

I am not sure what possessed me to order another concealer when the Star-cealer compacts come with a large pan of cream concealer as well. My confidence in JSM's products must be through the roof because the Artist Layer Concealer found it's way into my cart. Hopefully, it is amazing and I won't regret my impulsiveness.

Finding a good retractable eyeliner is a struggle. I don't typically like to buy expensive liners, especially without testing, but reviews have said it is pretty budge-proof. Fingers crossed!

The cleansing balm and sunscreens are new releases. Price range nor ingredients in those products are what I would typically go for but the freebies included with those items, in particular, sucked me in. But hey, skincare will definitely get used up in the foreseeable future. No worries.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Jungsaemmool JSM Beauty Global account home

Account & Coupons

Accounts can be made via linking an existing Facebook or Google account or signing up with an e-mail address.

The homepage is well organized. There are a few foreign concepts for me as an American shopper.

Order Detail // Information for successfully placed orders is here.
*Coupon Detail // Lists expired and valid coupon details.
*Mileage Detail // Lists accrued "mileage" from previous orders.
*Deposit Detail // ???
*Your Wish List // ???
1:1 Inquiry // Forum-like section to communicate with customer service.
My Posts // Collection place for all the "posts" made anywhere on the website.

*Coupons are sometimes generated automatically (i.e. for signing-up during the promotional period). Other times, they have "Events" where you can qualify for a coupon by completing an action (i.e. follow and comment). There does seem to be a lot of fine print with the coupon system. Some expire quickly. Some do not. Only 1 coupon per order.

*There is no explanation on the website for what "Mileage" and "Deposit" are. I am going to assume Mileage is some sort of rewards system. Each product lists the mileage points, which seems to be 2% of the product price. JSM says the Mileage can be used toward a future purchase once you've reached a minimum of 20 USD; based on the 2% calculations it means having spent USD $1000 on past purchases. There is no indication of whether the "Mileage" ever expires. I have no idea what "Deposits" is.

*There has a wishlist page but no button to add things to the list.

**There are also Chinese and Japanese versions of JSM Beauty. The Chinese e-commerce seems to only be a translated version of the US site as the prices are listed in USD. The biggest difference is the option to log in via Weibo instead of Facebook/Google. The Japanese e-commerce seems to be the opposite where the description and text are in English but prices are in JPY. Log-in is available via Facebook, Google, and Yahoo for the Japanese site.

Shipping Options

I thought their "Grand Opening Free Shipping over USD $100" deal was only available from January 26 to March 31, 2018. But it seems to still be available right now and it is about a week into April already.

Otherwise, there is no indication on the website on what kind of shipping they use, what options there are, or a breakdown of how the cost is calculated. After playing around with various sized shopping carts, the shipping cost does seem to vary by weight. From order experience, JSM Beauty shipped via DHL Express to America.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Jungsaemmool JSM Beauty Global pop ups

Payment

The site accepts a bunch of different payments: Eximbay and PayPal.

The entire process is very smooth. Buttons lead to pop-up windows. Once everything in the pop-up completes, it auto-closes and refreshes the page.

Check Out Process

The most confusing part of the check out is with the addresses. Rather than the standard "Billing Info" and "Shipping Info," jsmbeauty.com asks for "User Information" and "Address Info." It seems that "User Information" would equate to "Billing Info" and "Address Info" to "Shipping Info". Do not think that choosing a different shipping address in PayPal will work because JSM only considers what went into their system via their form, not PayPal's.

Typical of most Korea-based e-commerce websites, there are a ton of pop-up windows. Applying coupons brought up a pop-up. Payment brought up a pop-up. GWP qualifications brought up a pop-up.

I thought it was a little strange that the site only asks about the "Gift Selection" after I went through the entire action of PayPal payments because that seemed like it would have been the end of the check out process. But it is neither here nor there.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Jungsaemmool JSM Beauty Global DHL packaging

Delivery

Extremely fast for an international delivery and for a new company. I placed my order on 3/28 around midnight NYC time and the package arrived via DHL Express on 4/3 around noon.

I contacted customer service twice because of the shipping address issue that I thought I created and received responses within 24 hours.

Customer service said it normally would take 3-5 business days to prepare the package and another 3-5 for shipping to destination.

It seemed like my order only took a day or two to prepare and was already in the air from Incheon to America on 3/30. If it had not been the weekend following, I probably could have received the package even earlier.

Packaging

Kind of flimsy for an international delivery. The box was on the thinner side and only the top and bottom of the box was padded with bubble wrap—the contents weren't entirely wrapped by bubbles on all sides. My box was delivered partially wet and so were many of the items inside. Luckily it wasn't soaked enough to get through the individual product boxes.

Returns

Not specified on the site.

March Hauls

lavlilacs March 2018 hauls

March Madness has a completely different meaning to me. I am no sports girl or basketball fanatic. Madness in my case refers to the obscene amount of spending simply because of the words birthday and sales. The endless list of brands who's newsletters I subscribe to offer such enticing coupons and deals for that special month of the year that is supposed to be all about me. As it is also the corner of a new season, there is also a slew of sales and new releases dropping left and right.

I know, I know. That is how they get me and all my monies. But a good deal nonetheless.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Bloomingdale's Jo Malone

The luxury impulse purchase: Jo Malone's Poppy & Barley Cologne (USD $70) from their recent limited edition English Fields Collection. I am not one to get sucked into fragrances. The price tags of most scents keep me far far away. I've heard great things about Jo Malone though and felt this was a great excuse to finally dip my toes into the vast pool of perfumes they offer.

If money was no issue, I would have bought the entire English Fields range purely for the aesthetics. The mostly pastel bottles with touches of "stone" are a beauty. Good thing I took a whiff of all five scents at Bloomingdale's because I definitely favored Poppy & Barley, which was light and sweet, over the others. If I remember correctly...Oat & Cornflower gave me a bakery feel, Honey & Crocus had a deep sweetness, Green Wheat & Meadowsweet smelled of grass, and I have no recollection of Primrose & Rye.

Since the English Fields collection only comes in the 30ml bottles and is limited edition, I probably will be using my new perfume very sparingly.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Peach & Lily

The K-beauty birthday reward purchase: Olivarrier's Fluid Oil (USD $40) from Peach & Lily during their "Best of K-Beauty Awards" promotion. All orders with at least one item from their Best list would receive free shipping.

I ran out of The Ordinary's 100% Rosehip Oil months ago but never got around to trying anything else. Squalane is another facial oil that received a lot of attention in the beauty world the last winter season. Since I had purchased the entire Olivarrier range minus the oil during the Peach & Lily sample sale, I thought I'd give the brand's version a try.

Now, to be completely honest had it not been for the ability to buy just the one item whilst getting free shipping AND if I did not have 200 Peach points to redeem (i.e. USD $20 coupon, 50 points given purely for my birthday)...I most likely would have gone with a less expensive version of squalane.

The Peach & Lily brand masks came as GWP.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - Sephora

The Sephora birthday reward purchase: Sephora's Beauty Amplifier (USD $7) and BITE Lip Set.

Making a purchase isn't a requirement, when in-stores, to redeem Sephora's birthday gift. Yet that is a habit I can never seem to snap out of. I didn't particularly need anything full-sized and at full-price, but I didn't want to stand on their long lines with nothing to purchase just redeem a freebie. The mini Beauty Amplifier seemed to be a good compromise as I've missed the pearlescent base makeup look and it's a size I can see myself completing.

lavlilacs March 2018 haul - misc

The miscellaneous purchase and gifts: Tonymoly's Dr. LOGY Blemish Pair Mist (USD $21) from Urban Outfitters and Clinique Sculptwear Lift and Contour Serum for Face and Neck (USD $120), a present from my Aunt.

Urban Outfitters isn't the first place that comes to mind when I want to purchase skincare. But when given a $5 UO Rewards coupon to use and a will to only get something I would definitely use well, the skincare section was where I found myself circling. I'm glad that UO is curating Korean brands as well as indie American brands. There were a few things that caught my eye but I decided to play it safe with the Tonymoly mist. Plus, UO's website listed it on sale at $14.99. I ultimately paid 50% of the listed price after in-store price adjustments, coupons, and taxes.

I am not sure whether to be thankful to my Aunt or be offended by her (extremely generous) Clinique gift. On one hand, it is a step into anti-aging...prevention is always better than treatment. It is also the most expensive skincare product I have ever owned. On the other, do I have a lot of skin to lift at 25? She told me she used it as a moisturizer and it was too lightweight for her dry skin during the winter. I'm still debating on if I should at least give it a try and if so when.

January Haul

lavlilacs January 2018 haul

My original plan was to get through at least the first couple month of the new year without a beauty purchase. But I ran out of my makeup remover. Then I discovered my local Target was clearing out their inventory. A couple of "browsing" trips later and a lighter wallet to boot...here I am with a haul post to share.

As I was nearing the end of my previous tub of heimish cleansing balm, I contemplated whether to just get 1 replacement in-store or buy multiple brands at once to stock up for the rest of the year. I like to save as much as the next person but I didn't want to hoard, y'know? After going through some price versus quantity comparisons, I decided to just go ahead and repurchase another heimish All Clean Balm in its newer flip-top packaging since I came across it in-person and at a reasonable price (USD $18 + Californian/SF sales tax). It will sound silly, but this is the kind of packaging I have been wishing and dreaming for companies to use with their cleansing balms. I cannot wait to see if it is actually as practical and effective as I thought it could be.

lavlilacs January 2018 haul - Target Sonia Kashuk

It has been at least 3+ years since I bought my last makeup brush. My collection isn't humongous but it is more than enough for my face. The more brushes I accumulated the lazier I got with deep cleaning them weekly. That is why I stuck to only a handful of the same brushes the past year or two in order to help develop a better habit (which has worked wonders if anyone is curious).

Now that I have incorporated the use of multiple eyeshadow colors into my daily routine, I found that I didn't have the right tools on hand. Many of the eye brushes I had were too large for my eye shape or did not function well. The only problem was my unwillingness to invest towards more brushes because everyone knows how expensive the better quality brushes and more size-variety brands can be. As soon as I chanced upon the Sonia Kashuk clearance at Target, I picked up one of almost every brush they had tagged. All were ~50% off original prices and under USD $10 per brush.

I picked up the Sonia Kashuk Tools:
  • Tapered Powder Brush No.19
  • Domed Multi-Purpose Brush No. 18
  • Synthetic Foundation Brush No. 05
  • Synthetic Concealer Brush No. 32
  • Large Domed Eye Shadow Brush No. 20
  • Precision Pencil Brush No. 31
  • Synthetic Crease Shadow Brush No. 08
  • Small Eye Shadow Brush No. 07

Truth be told I probably didn't need yet another foundation or concealer brush. The domed brush and crease brush might be too large for my eyelids still. But I just couldn't resist that price. At least now I have a better understanding of what shapes work for me if I ever decide to go for the luxurious ones.

December Hauls

lavlilacs December 2017 haul

In attempts at a fresh start for the new year, I thought I would share my December haulings today instead of the first Sunday of the next month as I normally do. It just feels right to end 2017, beauty-wise, with an accumulation of the little things I got and with a hopeful spending goal for 2018—scale it down unless "absolutely necessary" and even then I have to share my detailed reasoning for the hoarding.

(This post will be a practice of sorts since I have been pretty inconsistent with how detailed I get in hauls as of late.)

lavlilacs December 2017 haul - Sephora

I know, I know. I stocked up on enough skincare to last me most of 2018 in the last few months. But everyone has been raving about Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant and curiosity has been slowing eating at me on the inside. The only thing that held me back was their price tag. C'mon!! One bottle of product from either brand is at least USD $50+ (usually edging towards the $80+ mark for the more popular stuff). I have been most afraid of trying anything and actually liking it...all my monies.

When Sephora sent out their emails for the $20 off $50 VIB Rewards at the beginning of the month, I immediately thought of the mini-sized Drunk Elephants duos. Luckily for me, Sunday Riley offered a mini-set at a seemingly reasonable price as well.

Both the Sunday Riley Flash Fix Kit (USD $28) and Drunk Elephant Rise + Glow Duo (USD $23) totaled to USD $51 which was just enough to make the best use of the VIB Rewards. Plus the good thing about Sephora is the Free Shipping minimum of USD $50 is accounted for pre-promo codes. I also had a $25 gift card to spend and ultimately paid $8.75 out of pocket (NY tax included).

I was genuinely surprised when my Sephora orders arrived. Yes, that is right orders with an -s. For two items that could fit into both palms of my hands, Sephora packed and shipped them to me in two separate boxes that were large enough to fit a school textbook inside. Extra much? I was also somewhat expecting the bottles to be larger for some reason. I guess I was comparing the ~$20 price mark to K-Beauty price and sizing.

lavlilacs December 2017 haul - CVS

2017 is the year that I rediscovered coupons and CVS. All the items in the above photo were purchase for USD $5 or less each after ExtraBucks, CVS promotions, CVS brand specific coupons, and of course tax.

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 15 Lover (orig. $9.79) is one of the two unexpected purchases I made at the drugstores. The other being Lumene. To be honest, I really wanted to try the Maybelline Master Camo Color Correcting Pen in 10 Green (orig. $9.99) and saw that there was a "Buy 2 Maybelline and get $5 ExtraBucks" weekly promo. Since I already had a $2 off 2 Maybelline coupon and $10 ExtraBucks already on hand to spend, why not? I have been feeling a little experimental and also been more into matte lip colors recently. The total turned out to be USD $9.54 for both lip and face items.

With the new $5 ExtraBucks to spend, a $3 off L'Oreal coupon, and a $2 off deodorant purchase coupon, I immediately got both the L'Oreal Infallible Matte-Matic Mechanical Eyeliner in 513 Deep Brown (orig. $9.79) and Crystal essence Chamomile & Green Tea (orig. $5.29) for USD $6.24. I have been in search of a new eyeliner since using up the last of my Korea-trip stock. Deodorant is just a necessity that needs no explanations.

On a separate trip to CVS, the coupon machine spat out another $6 ExtraBucks with an expiration date and a 30% off 1 item coupon so the only natural thing to do was to head towards the beauty aisles. I tried my best not to be lured in by sales (like that BOGO Free Ardell lashes) or more lip products that looked nice but would highly likely be a drawer filler. The most practical decision was eyeliner since that is something I wear on the daily. Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliner (orig. $8.99) seemed to have better reviews compared to the liquid variety under the same Colorstay line so I grabbed Black Brown to try. The CVS location I visited also happened to be clearing out their Lumene stock at 75% off so I added the Lumene Sisu [Urban Antidotes] Defend & Replenish Antioxidant Mist (orig. $25.49) to my bag. That visit's total was $8.39.

lavlilacs December 2017 haul - Deciem

And to the end the post with the only beauty item I bought on a whim and not with any kind of deal, Deciem The Chemistry Brand's Heel Chemistry (USD $15). I chanced upon the newly established New York store location in SoHo when Bestie C and I were waiting in line for Prince Street Pizza. I have been meaning to try more of Deciem's products but with the recent splurges I couldn't justify stocking up on even more products because I want to meet that Free Shipping minimum when making an online order. Having a physical location means I can stop by and just pick up any supplements I may need as skin issues come up, knock on wood.

Which is exactly why I walked out with Heel Chemistry. It felt like a "necessary" supplemental purchase since my feet were getting pretty ashy and callouses were quickly hardening even after having only finished peeling from the foot mask one week prior. The box also promised results after 2 weeks of usage. Even though I don't typically lotion my feet, that Before and After photo on the back of the box got me good. Maybe this can, at the very least, help me start the habit of lotioning my soles?

November Hauls - add.

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - DIY Hairpin legs 2-rod 16inch high 0.5inch thick white powder-coated legs

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - DIY Hairpin legs packaging

It will be a long while before I tackle my next DIY furniture project; the cold and unpredictable weather doesn't help speed up any prospective plans either. In fact, unlike my last DIY where I had thought about and drew up plans for years earlier, this future project is as of right now completely unplanned for. Practically impulsive if I do say so myself...I saw the amazing price the set hairpin legs were selling for during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale at DIY Hairpin Legs Co. and I couldn't help myself.

I had toyed with the idea of making a bench-like piece after I completed the desk. A bench would be 100% a want instead of fulfilling any sort of need. It would be nice to have something that will match my desk in terms of aesthetics. It would be nice to have something more spacious to place bags I frequently reach for. It would be convenient to have a lighter "table" I could move around for taking photos for the blog. Yet the main thing that held me back was the cost of all the materials just couldn't justify any of those wants.

When the after-Thanksgiving sales began, the company I previously bought my hairpin legs from had a deal I just couldn't pass up on. Instead of paying nearly $80 dollars (pre-shipping) for a set of 4 2-Rod, 16" high, 1/2" thick, and pre-painted (powder-coated) white hairpin legs, I was able to get the set for just $30 (pre-shipping). That is more than a 50% difference! Plus all the time I would save because I don't have to personally paint the legs white this time around, hallelujah.

The package from DIY Hairpin Legs Co. came in a much better condition. There was only a small hole on one of the sides and the box, in general, was intact. Instead of kraft paper, each individual leg was wrapped in a foam sheet that was further wrapped with stretchy plastic cling film. Everything was bundled up with so much more care! I don't know if this is because the company recently changed their packing style or if the painted hairpin legs just generally receive more attention than the raw steel ones. Either option could be possible but I think the latter makes more sense since it would be terrible if the pre-painted legs arrived chipped.

Compared to the hairpin legs that I painted myself, the pre-painted version feels so smooth and looks much glossier. I don't think it is noticeable from afar but the glossiness is definitely apparent the closer I get to the legs. Good thing these little guys are half the height of my table legs; no one will ever really stoop that low to take such a close comparison view of both together anyways. I can't wait to think more about what to actually do with these legs now. I have a good half year before the weather starts to get warm again...

November Hauls

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - CeraVe, Sephora, and Peach & Lily

There hasn't been this much variety in my month-to-month beauty purchases in a while. The only thing all of these products have in common is they were bought on sale and/or with coupons. With all the stuff I already have that is basically the only sane reason I use to justify myself at this point.

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - CeraVe PM facial Moisturizing Lotions

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is making its routine appearance. I have yet to share my written thoughts on it because I want to try the lotion in the drier, colder weather first. But I think actions are speaking a thousand words for me already. As per usual, I stacked a bunch of coupons and deals to buy both for ~USD $6-7 each.

(Of the 6 bottles total now that I have bought in the last year, I have seen at least 3-4 variations of packaging...what's up with that?)

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - Sephora VIB Rouge

While everyone (including my usual self) seems to lose all control during the annual Sephora VIB Rouge sale, I tried to be a tad more sensible this year. It felt wasteful to not use that 20% discount after all that money I dumped at Sephora last year to gain the VIB status. Plus, I had some gift cards to spend with the brand. So why not?

My self-control was reigned in well right? My actual purchase included both the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon and Green Tea plus a Farmacy cleansing balm. Despite waiting for 2+ weeks before receiving any further progress updates on my VIB order, Sephora e-mailed to say the cleansing balm had in fact been sold-out. I'm glad the entire order wasn't canceled but I had my hopes up patiently waiting for 3 items... To think Sephora's website and inventory would be better connected than that.

lavlilacs November 2017 haul - Peach & Lily Black Friday Cyber Monday deals

While I was being disappointed by Sephora's lack of progress, Peach & Lily's Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale had me jumping up and down in my seat. 30% off everything, including their newly curated brands?! Score! Since I had swiped up some of their newer skincare brands, Olivarrier and abib, at their sample sale, I was most interested in finally getting my hands on more of the JUNGSAEMMOOL makeup.

The prices are higher than Korean retail on Peach and Lily but with the 30% discount, and EMS costs via Global Lotte/Hyundai in consideration, Peach & Lily was clearly the cost winner at that moment. I originally wanted to only get the JSM Refining Color Bony Brow pencil to replace my current brow product. But I was quickly reminded of their USD $50 free shipping minimum (that is currently waived for USA orders until the end of December). By that point, I got a little irrational and added the Artist Contour Palette in Shape and Shade, Essential Star-cealer Foundation in Medium-Deep, and High Color Lipstick in High Matte Burgundy. When else would I get to buy JSM on sale in the USA?? Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream found its way into the mix when Peach & Lily promised a freebie sheet mask and their sheet mask travel bag for orders over USD $100, after discounts.

Apparently, all the control I had during the Sephora sale was meant to save for this massive dump at Peach & Lily instead. My order ultimately didn't come with that sheet mask, but I am too excited for the stuff I actually paid for to be upset by it. The important products are in my hands and that is all that matters! Christmas is here early for me~


October Haul

lavlilacs October 2017 haul - drugstore sales and coupons

You would think that after the massive skincare haul I made last month at Peach & Lily's sample sale I would not buy anything else for a while. Funny. There's always something to accumulate...apparently. At least the few items I picked up in October were all bought on sale, with discounts, or given to me as a gift/souvenir. Once CVS hooked and reeled me in with their discounts, I lost all control. I can see why there are people in the world who take coupon-ing very seriously. The satisfaction is unreal. I comfort myself by saying I paid $10 or less for each item.

When Neutrogena released their Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment I was skeptical but intrigued. Price kept me from getting one to call my own; at it's cheapest I've seen it retail around USD $17, at it's priciest I've seen close to USD $23. If the dinky looking light wand didn't work, $23 would have been a nice filling meal out with friends! As my face was erupting during that time of the month, I coincidentally found a $10 off manufactures coupon for the Neutrogena Light Therapy range and CVS also sent me a 25% off coupon...I beelined right to the store. After coupons and taxes, I ended up only paying $8.77 for the light therapy stick. Score!

After falling in love with the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, I couldn't help but get another backup since I had coupons a plenty (40% off + $2 manufacturer's coupon...$16.49 to $8.77). I am not in dire need of another moisturizer right now but it is more reassuring to know I have a backup on hand just in case one of the newer products doesn't work out. Plus, when I do use the PM lotion, one bottle only lasts me around a month. The bottles in reserve wouldn't sit and rot in my stash drawer, ever.

My wallet is in a dangerous place after I rediscovered Liah Yoo, who also introduced me to the Gothamist on YouTube. Their skincare philosophies and expertise can be pretty convincing. Renée recently raved about the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for the cooler drier weather and, what else is new, I found myself swimming in coupons and sales again. The entire CeraVe line was on a 25% off sale that week, I had a $2 off $10 CeraVe purchase coupon at CVS, and I remembered the $2 coupon on CeraVe's website. To top of all off, I also had $3 CVS ExtraBucks. A $13.99 purchase became a $3.80 steal.

Maybe acne patches will make a yearly appearance in my haul posts? As with last year, my Aunt stocked up on the dressings when she visited China. I honestly still haven't gone through the stash from her last trip but it never hurts to have these on hand. When the sticker work, it works so well.

September Haul

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale

A list was made. I told myself just one of each product type for the upcoming colder weather: toner, essence, serum, and moisturizer. I still walked away with a good 3 sets of products that can last me well into 2018. Whatever happened to self-control?

When prices are that good, my ability to restrain my hands from moving before my head is severely blocked. I am talking about skincare goodies that are full-sized and mostly $10 each; at that price, it is even better than what is available at American drugstores.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale pricing

The first tables that greeted customers were filled with $15 yellow-labeled items. Mostly serums and essences from various brands.

Right next to those were the $10 green-labeled items, which accounted for a majority of the sale (other than sheet masks). A variety of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to choose from. There was a small selection of makeup. Not-yet-released brands of Peach & Lily was also in this category.

$22 and $30-something red- and orange-labeled items, respectively, were on a table farthest away from the entrance. A small array of their bestselling and most luxe brand's serums and essence.

The $6 blue-labeled items made up a small corner of the location. Mostly knick-knacks and travel-sized products: mists, acne spot treatments, etc.

2 for $3 purple-labeled items and $3 pink-labeled items dominated a ton of space. Sheet masks galore from Peach & Lily's own brand and every brand in-between.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Peach and Lily sample sale closeup

Peach & Lily sample sale

This year was the first time I visited the Peach & Lily sample sale. I don't know what happened the previous 2 years but I am glad I didn't pass up the chance to visit this time around. The K-Beauty sample sale took place at 393 Broadway New York, NY 10010 from 8AM-9PM. I had some time to stop by mid-morning and there was already no visible line outside the store. Bag check was quick as well.

Unlike what I read from last year's accounts, there was no 20-min time limit this year—in fact, I was in there for about an hour picking items, reading labels, asking questions, and trying to be sensible with my haul. Products were quickly restocked, testers were available, and everyone there was extremely helpful.

I came out with 3 of the $6 items. 10 of the $10 items. 1 of the $15 items. and 1 of the $22 items. All are completely new brands to me; the reason why Peach & Lily is so appealing. A good bunch of the items is for tackling moisture and hydration. A select few are for treatment: acne-scars, brightening, anti-aging, etc.

Ground Plan 24 Hour Secret Mist Plus 60ml, $6 (to be released)
ATOCLASSIC Real Tonic Soothing Moist Mist 150ml, $6 (orig. $19)
Abib Facial Soap Black Brick 100g, $6 (to be released)
Abib Hydration gel 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Abib Hydration creme 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Dual Moist Toning Lotion 180ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Dual Moist Hyaluron Essence 100ml, $10 (to be released)
Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream 75ml, $10 (to be released)
Aromatica Sea Daffodil Aqua Toner 130ml, $10 (orig. $23)
Eco Your Skin Vitamin C Booster 10ml x3, $10 each (orig. $29)
Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Toner 150ml, $10 (orig. $29)
Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum 50ml, $15 (orig. $39)
the Lotus Essence with 89% Lotus Leaf 125ml, $22 (orig. $64)

All the brands I walked out with were on my to-try list. The only brand I couldn't get my hands on was the Let Me Skin modeling masks in the pill-shaped containers; they were all sold-out by the time I got there. Even though I was interested in some Mizon and Dr. Dream goodies, I decided to stop myself considering how many things I had already stashed into my shopping tote. Plus, Dr. Dream items were mostly in the $15 and $22 groups.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Innisfree

Innisfree NYC

To leave the newly opened Innisfree in Union Square with a boat-load of products when I have a new stash of skincare is too crazy. But since that is their first American physical outpost, I had to stop by at least once to do some eye-shopping. Let me pretend to relive my Seoul travels just for 30-minutes!

I was surprised by how many customizable makeup and skincare products the brand had. Between the vast array of pot masks and toppings, cushion compact designs and formulations, the color makeup pans with eyeshadows, blushes, and even concealers & correctors, my mind would have been severely overwhelmed had I gone in with intentions to buy things.

The haircare section is typically the one section of beauty stores I move right past, every single visit. I am super low-maintenance with my hair and giant bottles of warehouse-sized Dove or Herbal Essence shampoo is good enough for me. However, that doesn't mean my oily roots don't bother me. I just never paid attention to specifically target it like I do with my facial skin issues. Innisfree's My Hair Refreshing Exfoliating Oil piqued my interest as I visited the shop on second-day hair: oily, flat, and in need of attention. I bought it on a whim, but hope it will show some good results.

lavlilacs September 2017 haul - Amazon

Amazon

One category of product I didn't notice much of at the Peach & Lily sample sale was cleansing oils and balms. If they had, I would have gladly picked up one or two items since I go through those the quickest. My wallet is still in shambles from the massive haul so I turned to Amazon for the second time ever to buy skincare with some gift card money: the ever-so-popular Heimish All Clean Balm. Many people compare it to the Banila Co. cleansing balm line. For something that has slightly more product and a lower price, I had to give it a try. Missha's Air In Cushion Puffs found their way into my cart as well since I have been getting a tiny bit fed up with the effort it takes to wash those guys.