A couple weeks ago, Eunice Kim, KV Beauty's K-Beauty expert, and I went LIVE on Instagram to answer a bunch of questions on K-Beauty. Eunice comes to us with nearly two decades of experience and knowledge in product development in the K-Beauty space. Her family has been in the beauty supply industry her entire life. She possesses a wealth of knowledge on all things K-Beauty, including what works, what doesn't, and what might.
Here are a few key takeaways from our 45-minute Q&A that I found particularly resonant, to the point where I keep hearing her advice in my head!!
Wash Your Face With Warm Water.
Eunice advises washing your face in warm water before applying any product, including cleansers. I had always been advised to wash my face with COLD water, so this was new to me. According to Eunice, washing with warmer water helps soften some of the oils that may have hardened in our pores, making it easier for them to drain. Ever since she said this, I've started washing my face with warm (not hot!) water!
Go From Thin To Thick.
K-Beauty skincare routines are notorious for being byzantine and complicated, but Eunice sticks to a pretty straight-forward rule when it comes to the order of product application: from thin to thick. After cleansing your face, start with your "thin" products first, like toner and exfoliators. Then, move onto some of the more viscous products, like serum. End with your thickest products, like Korean Vegan Beauty Vegan Collagen Cream.
A Light Rinse The Morning After.
After putting on all that product the night before, I've always wondered whether it really makes sense to wash it all off the morning after. According to Eunice, the answer is no. She suggests that in lieu of a full on cleanse, followed by the application of even more product, just a light sprinkle of water is sufficient. Of course, if you have oilier skin or a particularly agitated T-zone, a little cleansing might be in order. The point is, you should not be doing your entire skincare routine the morning after.
Wear SPF Even When You're Inside.
Unsurprisingly, Eunice is a MASSIVE proponent of sunblock. She strongly recommends applying SPF even when you're indoors. Sunlight and damaging ultraviolet rays penetrate your window panes, so your skin should stay protected all day, whether you're sitting at home, in your car, or at your workplace.
Do Not Bully Your Skin.
I asked Eunice about all those scary looking skin treatments in Korea and was surprised to hear that she's never had a single one of them. Eunice has FLAWLESS skin, btw. She explained that she lives by the following precept:
Do not bully your skin.
Subjecting your skin to harsh products or painful treatments can increase the risk of inflammation, allergic reactions, and damage to the skin barrier. Following a simple, gentle skincare routine will ensure your skin stays healthy without feeling tortured!
In sum, Eunice reiterated that aging is part of life and that we shouldn't agonize over how to prevent its signs on our face. "Don't be mean to your skin!"
I can't think of a better way to sum up the true ethos of K-Beauty and, of course, Korean Vegan Beauty.
