seoul Archives - With Love,

The Face Shop Sent Us To Seoul!

January 6, 2018maybeline

I am no stranger to Seoul as this was my third visit to Seoul and my second visit was less than half a year ago. However, this was my first Winter experience. I have been to places like London and Newcastle and they were cold, but not as cold as minus 12 degree celsius!! Other than leaving my gloves and Heattech socks out, I must say that I was well equipped for this trip with 3 coats in my luggage. Lol!

I am not kidding about the weather. Just look at the frozen sea below!

My purpose for visiting Seoul again this year was for The Face Shop! The Face Shop (TFS) was my first K-Beauty brand during my younger days as they were one of the first to enter Singapore. So TFS Singapore, thank you for flying me all the way to Seoul, putting us up in a five star hotel and arranging all the activities for us!

Day 1 was free and easy. After touching down, we were greeted by two good-looking oppas. LOL. We were sent to the hotel and zoom, the 4 of us (Yina, Jamie, Kristin and me) set off for some good food and shopping! The weather was very very very very cold. We couldn’t do without our gloves. I shall not touch on where to shop in Seoul because I have already covered it previously: http://maybelinesim.sg/2017/10/14/where-to-shop-in-seoul-korea/

Day 2 was a little pack but enjoyable because we get to try out all the new launches and even customize our own eyeshadow palette! We also managed to visit TFS in COEXMALL and did a quick shopping at Express Bus Terminal!

My customized palette are mostly coral shades because I really love peaches & coral tones.

Not sure if you know but Dr. Belmeur is actually one of the brands that TFS carries. Dr. Belmeur is a derma-cosmetics skincare that is safe and suitable for people with dry and sensitive skin as well.

We were given a detailed run through of the products the line carries but I have yet to try any of the products from this range even though I have long heard about it. I thought the packaging looks clean but I never knew that it is a derma-cosmetics brand. New lesson learnt! And now that I have their products, I can give them a try this month! Haha.

I am a very lipstick person person so I was VERYYYYY happy when I saw the new Flat Velvet Lipstick in my room! The application was SUPERRR smooth! Check out all the colors below. I may be doing a giveaway on the entire set later this month so do check back on my Instagram 😀

We actually went back to TFS 2 more times after the store visit because we couldn’t resist getting some limited edition cosmetics which are not available in Singapore :OO

Look at those marble blushes! Love love love the packaging a lot!

Day 3 was all about the SNOW AND SKI FOR MEEEEE! I have yet to see snow before so this was my first. I was told that the snow at the resort were all man-made but it’s okay, we managed to catch some snow falling from the sky right outside DongDaeMun at night! Hehe. This marks my first ever snow experience!

The highlight for the entire trip was probably learning how to ski for me! I fell really really hard a few times that left me limping for 8 days after I was back in Singapore but it was all worth it because it was SUPER FUN! I know how to ice skate and roller blade well so I thought they were the same but who knows, it was so hard to balance on the slope! Luckily for Kristin and I, we had Yina to guide us along. Lol.

The guys from TFS Headquarters were equally fun as well. We skied together for quite a bit! Haha.

Even though it was a very short trip, I am so glad I came as I got to know the brand a little deeper and I really do enjoy the company of Yina, Jamie and Kristin! Once again, Thank you TFS Singapore for flying us over for the wonderful experience!!! 🙂

Where to shop in Seoul, Korea?

October 14, 2017maybeline

Shopping can be really enjoyable in Seoul when they have all the latest fashion trends there!

Here are some places to share and I am ranking these places based on my favorite. I am price (I like cheap stuffs! Haha) and quality conscious.

1. Express Bus Terminal (Goto Mall)

(Credit: Eastasy)

If I only have a day to spend in Seoul, the first place that comes to my mind will be Express Bus Terminal. It is like Singapore’s Bugis Street but with better and faster fashion trend.

Even the clothes quality here are so much better! Best of all, the prices are even cheaper. You can get a very trendy pair of jeans for $20 or a jacket for $10!

2. Hongdae (Hongik University Street) and 3. EHWA Woman’s University

(Credit: VisitKorea)

I enjoy spending time roaming around the university streets because of the atmosphere there. The people are younger, happier and chattier! It may not carry as much stuffs as Express Bus Terminal but you will be able to spot some men’s apparels here. James got himself a few outerwear at Hondae.

Be sure to try the street food here too! It is half the price of other shopping districts.

4. Myeong Dong shopping Street

(Credit: VisitKorea)

Even though Myeong Dong is one of the most famous shopping street in Seoul, I find their items OVERLY priced. Yes, including those pushcarts. They sell almost the same stuffs that you can find in Express Bus Terminal and university streets but at double to triple the price.

However, if you are looking for beauty related products, Myeong Dong has one of the most varieties to offer. I also love shopping around their ABC Marts (which you can also find in Taiwan). Sneaker lovers anyone? Catch some good deals there! You can also find designs that are not available in Singapore.

Street food? EXPENSIVE.

5. Dongdaemun: Good Morning City, hello APM

(Credit: VisitKorea)

Mmmm.. Even though this is a wholesale place, I personally do not enjoy shopping there unless I have some spare time to waste. Otherwise, it will just be another late night shopping option for me since they open till late.

However, there are a lot of food places around the area. Quite a good place to chill actually! Oh, Common Ground is another hipster place that you should visit too (not for shopping though)!

I have of course, been to more than just these 5 places but I am only sharing what I love most. Hope this post will be useful for you 🙂

Travel: Practical Tips when you visit Lotte World in Seoul

July 31, 2017maybeline

It has been quite some time since we came back from Korea but yes, we are finally here to talk about part of our trip! Here are some practical tips for you when you visit Lotte World in Seoul.

Dispeling the Myth

If you try to google Lotte World, you are bound to see a lot of feedbacks saying it is one of the best theme parks for kids! However, I beg to differ as these individuals totally undermined the fun factor in there and I do feel it is no less fun for fully grown adult! Hence, young or old, if you are in Seoul, this is the first theme park you should check out!

How do you get to Lotte World?

I would say it is super convenient due to the fact that it is within 5-10 minutes walking distance from a Subway Station located near the City Centre- Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line 2,8). After you alight at Jamsil Station, just keep a lookout for Exit 4. If you are walking towards the correct direction, you should see a mock-up version of Trevi Fountain along the way.

Practical Discount Deals

Next, I going to share with you a piece of very practical information that is going to save you a lot of money! This is legit because we have tried and tested it. Just to set a quick disclaimer that we are not sponsored by them. Just in the good names of sharing with other first-timers to Lotte World like us.

So what is this deal all about?

So, we actually bought our tickets online from this website called ‘Funko Funtastic Korea’ after I spent some time trying to google for a good deals just 2 days before the day we went Lotte World. It was hard to believe when I saw this deal selling tickets for 45% off the original price. That would mean an adult (Full Day) Ticket which cost approximately $60 is going for only $35! We paid for the tickets and next thing we are equipped with our email voucher on my mobile standing in front of “South Gate Ticket Office” all ready to start our fun! Best part, you do not even have to wait in the long queue outside the ticketing booth to buy your ticket. *Feeling like VIP*

Preparation Work

Firstly, let me pre-warn you that if you plan to make the most out of your day in Lotte world! Pls make sure you reach there as early as it opens. We are fortunate enough to clear most of the key popular rides before the theme park closed.

One of the reason is because of the long, crazy queues that snake around every of these popular rides. It can be as bad as at least 1 – 1.5 hour of waiting time per ride. Surely, there are some rides that you just have to wait for only 30 mins. But these are just the normal rides which do not give you the rush of adrenaline.

So I taught you how to save cost. Now, some practical tips on how you can save some waiting time. Goes back to saving money again because like they say ‘Time is Money!’ lol!

So what do you have to do? Very simple! Just download an App called ‘Lotte World Adventure’!

After registering your ticket in the App, click ‘Magic’ on top right hand corner and you will be brought to a page that has all the rides. Do note that the rides will refresh every 15 minutes. That means if you miss reserving the slot, you can try again after 15 minutes.

So how does this work? This essentially works like those typical express queue which makes you feel like a VIP while others are queueing restlessly. This is also very useful because it helps you schedule your ride for the rest of the day!

However, one of the drawbacks is you might not necessarily get the ride you wanted. I remember not being able to get this ride called ‘Atlantis’ no matter how hard I tried for the WHOLE day! Because everyone is trying to click in to reserve that ride also! Ultimately, you need very swift fingers! Secondly, you can only use this function for only 3 times! So plan your rides wisely & ‘spend’ it on a worthy popular ride like Gyro 2, Atlantis, Gyro Spin, The Adventures of Sinbad, French Revolution VR etc.

Which Rides to go for if you do not have the luxury of Time?

So let’s establish the fact that this place do need more than a day to cover both the indoor and outdoor theme rides.

So, let me point you to some of the more popular rides that you should try not to miss!

Look at how gigantic the indoor theme park is!

(Credit: myyellowsuitcase)

Let’s start with the indoor ones: The Adventure of Sinbad, Giant Loop, Camelot Carousel, Flume Ride & French Revolution VR!

I like the French Revolution the best because it takes you on a rollercoaster ride while you are wearing a VR which simulate a scene of you flying around fighting against a giant cyclops!

This one is not as fun but well.. you know we still got to do some ‘couply’ stuff right! Lol!

Now, let’s to the outdoor theme park located on the second floor next to the escalator. The outdoor theme park is called ‘Magic Island’!

So what’s the must try in Magic Island?

Gyro Swing. Bungee, Gyro 2 VR, Atlantis, Gyro Swing, The COMET Express! In short, anything with a Gyro, just go for it!!!

End of the day, look at our blissful face! Tired but pure blissful!

You can thank me for this tips later. Meanwhile, go enjoy that fun day out with your love ones!

Seoul Trip Part 1

August 3, 2014maybeline

You would also probably know that I just came back from Seoul last month!! Would love to thank My Fat Pocket and Herman for giving me this opportunity and Xinyi for being such a wonderful partner (including Herman, who took very good care of us)!!

We attended the opening of Atria Flagship Store in Seoul!! Yes, this also meant that we met one of the girls from Girls Generation and BtoB boy band.

Some of the outfits were sponsored by Shop Lila Mila for the trip. Quote “Maybeline10” when you check out to get 10% off per cart.

Pink lips for that night because Pink is the NEW Red in Korea.

It was shopping and eating after the first day of event. We went back on the second day for some shoot and shopping after that! If I were to visit Korea again, it would be for the food instead of the shopping as the streets there sell stuffs similar to Singapore but pricier. The food there was really nice though!

Atria Day 2.

Starlash eyelashes, 3CE Glass Pink, and curls for a Kpop look. My first attempt to look like a Korean. I know I failed quite a bit because I still look Singaporean. Hahahaha. But at least it is quite different from my usual style.

When you’re overseas, you will tempt to dress up like the people there no?

We were told by many that we looked like sisters and most of the people there spoke to us in Korean. I guess we succeed a little? Hahaha.

Our tops were bought there. Mine was from Dongdaemun. There was a loooooot of stuffs to see but they are really overpriced. Literally out to cheat tourist’s money. There was a store selling a top for 58,000 won which is retailing for nearly $70, but another store, at $30. The aunty at the $70 store was SERIOUSLY pushy!!

Tip: If you really want to shop there, be smart, finish window-shopping at the entire building first and haggle the price after that.

It was really fun to travel with her and Herman with both of them being so considerate and thoughtful. They made me feel like I am a little girl (cause I was the youngest) and they had to take care of me. Actually this Xinyi made me feel that she is much younger than me because of her size and looks! I wish I can look like her too.

My top (jacket) cost $17 and the lacy shorts was sponsored by Shop Lila Mila again. Comfy and sweet looking on?

My favourite shopping street was at Hongdae. No nasty price tags, no pushy aunties there. You can get a nice top at an average of $15-30. Although the beauty junkie street is at Myeongdong, you can also find them in Hongdae! Etude house and other brands were really really cheap. Remember to stock up on the makeup and skincare!

I bought colour-ed cosmetic contact lenses there as well. The average price was between $15-$20 per pair. Well, you know GEO lenses and all are from Korea right?