Real Asian Beauty

2-STEP Skincare for GLOWY SKIN feat. Dewha Glow Bundle

2022-02-20T21:01:00.005+08:00

Taking care of the skin is important but using good and effective products should be a top priority. Aside from whitening and rejuvenating, we are almost always looking for product that will give us our dream glory skin!

Another dilemma that you may have experienced when using skincare products is that most of them recommend you to use various products that means you'd have to do multiple steps daily.

If you are looking for a good skincare product that only requires minimal step to complete the regimen, then you have found what you're looking for!

DEWHA (pronounced as Du-Ha) has a 2-Step skincare regimen called the "Baby Glow Bundle". This will help you achieve baby-like skin that is smooth, firm and glowing, all in just 15 days!

Don't believe me? Look at the photo below!

Dewha Baby Glow Bundle consists of Dewha 24K Anti Aging Serum and Dewha Intense Hydrating Essence Mask

My Skin Concerns :

Because I have sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin, I get frequent acne spots that cause my skin to be imperfect. I have dark spots on my face from the pimples and then I notice that I have fine lines around my eyes and wrinkles on the forehead and cheeks. Also because of stress, I notice that my skin looks dull and unhealthy.

DEWHA Baby Glow Bundle Skincare Routine

STEP 1 : Dewha 24K Anti Aging Serum

Unlike other skin products, serum is quickly absorbed by the skin therefore giving a more noticeable effect. Aside from that, it feels light on the skin so it's the perfect product, especially if you want to do your skincare and then have to wear your mask after.

What are some of the benefits of 24K Anti-Aging Serum?

- It gives immediate effects on the skin such as soothing, nourishing and brightening.

- Firms the skin and helps it to become healthier

- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

- It is packed with anti-oxidants and has ingredients that help reduce visible signs of irritation

- Continued use of anti-aging serums result in healthier and firmer skin, even skin tone and skin repair.

STEP 2 : Dewha Intense Hydrating Essence Mask

Here are the most common skin problems that we have :

- Dry skin or Oily skin

- Acne and pimples

- Appearance of Big pores

- Dullness and Wrinkles

To help deal with these skin problems, we usually use many products like essence, cream, toner, etc. But the good thing about using a mask is that you target your skin concerns while applying only 1 product.

What are some of the benefits of Intense Hydrating Essence Mask?

- Gives instant hydration and whitening effect on the skin

- Helps lighten acne marks and dark spots plus the under-eye circle

- Uncomplicated to use (for only 15 minutes)

- Contains all-natural ingredients

- Especially formulated for Filipina skin

- Value for money since each pack contains ample amount of liquid

I really think face masks is an essential step in a skincare regimen. With just one Dewha sheet mask, you get the same results as your serum and essences.

And best of all, the Dewha Mask has 2 of the most powerful ingredients:

1. Japan Imported Hyaluronic Acid - helps reduce fine lines/wrinkles and deeply hydrates the skin, allowing for it to retain it's youthfulness.

2. Bifida Ferment Lysate - promotes DNA repair and protects skin from UV-induced damage.

Dewha Face Mask is so good that it even got featured on Vogue! You may check the article HERE.

I hope you found this article useful in deciding the BEST skincare routine for you.

Dewha Baby Glow Bundle is available on Shopee. You may also shop conveniently on their website HERE where you could also see other amazing products of Dewha!

Thanks for reading this blog post! Follow this blog for more helpful tips and more of my skin journey! Don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts to stay updated!

YouTube - YouTube.com/user/RealAsianBeauty

Facebook - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty

Instagram - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

What Is The BEST Dark Spots Remover for Face

2021-09-10T23:06:00.012+08:00

Having sensitive skin has always been an issue for me! I could literally go to sleep with clear skin and would wake up the next day with a huge spot on my face! But do you know what's even more harder to deal than sudden pimple spots? Stubborn DARK SPOTS on the face!

It's undebatable that one of the most common problems that we need an effective solution on is "How To Remove Dark Spots on Face" It's uncanny that sometimes pimple spots go away in just a matter of days but dark spots could stay on the face/skin for weeks, some times even up to months!

On this blog, you will learn so many things about dark spots, what actually causes them and some of the most effective ways on how you could remove them.

First, let’s discuss why Dark Spots could be appearing on your face and what you could do to prevent it. Also, it would be useful to know that the other terms commonly used for “Dark Spots” are Pekas, Skin Discoloration and Melasma.

WHAT CAUSES DARK SPOTS :

Underlying Skin (health) Issues

Melasma or dark spots during pregnancy is common but did you know that taking birth control pills could also be one of the factors for your dark spots? When you are on pills, it changes your hormones, and changes in hormones can cause hyperpigmantation as well.

Sun Exposure

Did you know that 1 HOUR of sun exposure could lead to MONTHS of skin treatment to get rid of the dark spots? It is common in tropical climates and is also one of the top ten skin problems in the Philippines. That’s why experts recommend using a product with the right SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

Lifestyle

Most gadgets and electronics these days emit light rays, so even if you don’t go out in the sun often, too much and too frequent exposure to gadgets, cellphones, tablets, laptops, TV’s, home lighting and more may also cause the skin to produce more dark spots. Other lifestyle factors could be the diet since lack of folic acid (whole grains, nuts, green leafy vegetables) can lead to hyperpigmentation, which leads to dark spots.

Aging

As people age, the skin condition also changes. Aging could mean more past exposure to sun or harsh products and other lifestyle factors that could have led to the skin having more visible dark spots and marks. Also, women in their 30s to 50’s show more signs of dark spots.

Wrong Products

With the rise of so much products in the market, most people commit the mistake of using products that are not only bad for the skin but may also contain harsh ingredients. Products like strong skincare or harsh cosmetics could make the problem worse by causing the skin to flare-up, therefore resulting to dark spots. That’s why it is recommended to check the label before purchasing and do a spot/allergy test before applying anything.

Now, let's get down to business. Let's tackle how you could remove dark spots on your face.

THE BEST DARK SPOTS REMOVER FOR FACE :

1. Home Remedies

A simple and inexpensive way to deal with dark spots is by using items in your own kitchen. Food like papaya, turmeric, tomato, yogurt and aloe could help minimize the appearance of dark spots. Papaya can be used as a natural exfoliant while turmeric has been shown to inhibit the skin's melanin production, that results in spots due to hyperpigmentation. On the other hand, tomatoes, that are naturally rich in lycopene, works best on hyperpigmentation when taken internally.

2. Lifestyle

A change in your lifestyle could also be beneficial to your skin, especially when it comes to removing dark spots on your face. If you used to go out in the sun and not wear any sunscreen, changing the habit to regularly applying sunscreen even on cloudy days could help. Also, switching to using products with only high-quality ingredients may be very beneficial. Remember that the skin is the outer layer of the body, it shows how well you take of it. Healthy body also leads to healthy skin. Changing your lifestyle may be the first step!

3. Treatments

For some, dark spots is not a result of hyperpigmentation, rather is a result of scarring. For over-the-counter treatment, you may want to consider Hydroquinone, which is a common first-aid for this problem. It usually comes in cream, gel or liquid type and could be purchased without prescription. Some soaps that have azelaic acid or kojic acid can also help.

Facial treatments and chemical peelings and other laser treatments that are done by doctors could also help combat the dark spots on face. Some darker marks may require AHA peels or retinol to help remove the top layers of the skin and promote cellular regeneration.

These treatments are also safe and effective but downside is that most of them are expensive.

4. Medications

There are also many types of dark spots or melasma, another safe and effective way to remove dark spots is through taking oral medications. Since melasma is a problem from within, oral treatment using oral medication can help lighten the dark spots. One of the ways to remove dark spots on the face is by taking Pynocare.

Pynocare is a safe and effective way to remove dark spots on the face as it has 85% efficacy rates is FDA approved and conducted studies in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Pynocare helps control the production of melanin to normal levels, thus reducing the appearance of your dark spots. It is a combination of all-natural plant extracts and highly effective ingredients which act specifically on hyper-active melanocytes. Because of its high efficacy rate, consistent use of it aids in the reduction of the size and intensity of melasma and results may be observed within 8 weeks. It is a safe over-the-counter medication that should be taken consistently twice a day after meal.

Remember that removing dark spots on your face is possible and definitely doable, but it can not be done overnight. My advice as someone who suffered with several skin issues and is still dealing with some skin concerns is to be patient with your skin journey. Consistency plus using the right products are the key. With the right lifestyle and effective treatments, dark spots can definitely be removed on the face, so you could be ready to #LetTheLightIn

Thanks for reading this blog post! Follow this blog for more helpful tips and more of my skin journey! Don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts to stay updated!

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Instagram - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

Glutathione IV Drip and Pimple Injection at Flawless... Is It SAFE During Pandemic?

2021-08-14T20:16:00.013+08:00

Nowadays, setting our priorities is very mush important. Be it handling our finances and where we spend our money on up to deciding if going out is necessary or if we should just stay at home.

For some, going to the facial center may not be essential. But for me that has sensitive and acne-prone skin, my regular visit to the derma and facials are also important to make sure that my skin is well-maintained. You may be wondering if it's already safe to go out for facials and other skin treatments... this blog will answer!

My facial center of choice is Flawless. I have been going to their clinic since 2012 and they have really helped me big time combat my battle with acne. That's why I was sad when I couldn't visit them for over a year because of the current situation we are in!

My usual treatments at Flawless are Facial cleaning (with pimple extraction), FNT Fractional Needling Therapy, Laser treatments, etc. But aside from those, I also often have Beauty Drip (Glutathione IV Drip) and KI Pimple Injection. I find that these 2, aside from the actual facial, helps calm my skin and tone the acne breakout.

WATCH THE VLOG BELOW FOR MY FULL EXPERIENCE :

What you will appreciate about Beauty Drip and KI Injection at Flawless is that they are done by licensed and professional doctors. I just felt that I need to mention that since I heard some start-up facial clinics allow only their beauty attendants to do the injection?

Anyway, I have been doing these intravenous treatments at Flawless for YEARS. If you are wondering if there are any side-effects, the only side-effect I noticed when I get the KI Pimple Inject is that it may leave some "open pores" on the injected area. Some doctors call it "dimple" while some people call it "craters", I like to call it as just "open and visible pores".

As for the Beauty Drip, the injected area could swell and also leave a tiny spot that could last up to few days. But I have not noticed any negative effects of the drip to my body. In fact, whenever I have it, I notice that my skin becomes glowy and brighter few days after the treatment.

As I can remember, Beauty Drip consists of Glutathione, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin B Complex and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

PRICES :

Beauty Drip (Glutathione Injection) - Php 7,000 per session

KI Pimple Injection - Php 200 per spot

Derma Consultation at Flawless is FREE but you need to book an appointment first. It could be done by calling the branch near you or by checking out their website here.

Take note that Doctor Consultation is limited for for treatments such as facial, whitening, etc. Also, upon visiting any Flawless Branch, you will not be obligated to buy anything against your will. The Derma may recommend products that she think will help you with your skin concerns, but you still have the option to either buy it or use other products that you think will suit your skin. Don't be pressured to buy or use anything that you truly have no intention of using. :)

BTW, I have a Flawless DISCOUNT CODE that you can use tp shop online on Flawless, use "FlawlessKristine"to SHOP HERE for Flawless discount.

I think I have not yet answered the question if visiting Flawless nowadays is already safe. This was my first time visiting in almost 2 years and I have to be honest that I felt safe and secure inside the clinic. During my visit, everyone was wearing masks and the attendant was in full PPE. I also noticed my doctor was wearing double masks. There were just 2 patients inside the clinic during my visit, me and another booked patient.

As for the mask, Flawless uses a special mask for their patients so you are still masked while having your treatment. I am told I am not allowed to share it here so I don't have any photos. But they got you on that! :)

Here's a close-up of my skin after 3 days of Beauty Drip and KI Pimple Inject. What do you think of the result?

Don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts to stay updated!

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Instagram - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

ERGONOMIC Work From Home Set-up Tips for SHORT PEOPLE!

2021-05-25T22:55:00.009+08:00

Short People problems? This might be the BEST and most Ergonomical work from home or study at home set-up for you!

I am between 5' and 5'2". I didn't realize how much I needed to upgrade my vlogging and editing set-up until I experienced backache last month (April 2021). Do note that this is not my first year working from home. I have been doing so since 2015. But I was contented using whatever table and chair was available at home. Come to think of it, I think I mostly did the editing on my bed, on the floor or on my vanity table.

Until 2020 lockdown happened. Many people upgraded their tables and their chairs, even their laptops and computers. That's when I realized I may have lived under a rock because I didn't realize how important it is to actually feel comfortable while working.

On this post, you will get tips on choosing the best Ergonomic chair for you and you'll also get tips on where you could get stuff like tables, lamps, decors, etc. You will also get to see my current and updated work from home set-up.

Perfect if you have the same body build and same height as I am.

First, let me show you my work corner Before and After.

The left photo was taken in 2020. This was already the time I realized I needed a computer table. Before this, can you imagine how I edited my vlogs for 5 years from 2015 to 2020 without a proper table? Now that I have my "after" set-up, I can't remember anymore how I was able to survive 5 years editing videos. HOW?!

Anyway, the left photo was taken in 2020. I bought the adjustable little table from Lazada for about Php 700. Because I didn't want to spend too much on my set-up, I just opted to use my Mom's loveseat/couch that we have at home. This was my set-up for almost a year.

The right photo is the final photo that you'll mostly see on this blog post. FINALLY, a comfortable chair and a table big enough for my laptop, my tablet, my lamp, some notebooks, some decors and other essentials!

This is the Ergonomic chair that I have chosen. This is the D10 Korean Ergonomic Chair (Made in Korea). This is available on different online shops like Lazada, etc. But I got mine directly from a seller that is legit from Korea. On other selling platforms, this sells for Php 6,000. I got it for Php 5,500 for the chair + Php 400 shipping fee.

WHY I CHOSE IT :

Before I finally decided to purchase this chair, I spent nights looking for different chairs. Gaming chairs and Executive chairs were out of the question since I read most chairs like those are bulky and could be uncomfortable, not to mention they look to manly and won't fit my overly-girly room.

I chose this chair because I watched a couple of YouTube reviews on this. Not a lot of views but thankfully, the vlogger responded to my comments, so I was able to ask them personally about the chair, about it's comfort and the size. Since the vloggers I watched that reviewed this chair were mostly males, I assumed they were all taller than me. They all mentioned this chair is too "low" for them. They mentioned they don't recommend this for taller people beyond 5'7". That was the sign I took that this could be the perfect one for me!

For reference, here is the size chart :

Another thing I liked about his was that it was delivered the next day after I placed and confirmed my order. It was also personally delivered by the Korean business owner. They accept online payment but they also accept COD. Which is great thing if you do't have online-payment capability OR if you just can't trust online payments anymore! hehe

Here's how it looked when it arrived :

THE TABLE :

Table I got from Lazada for Php 1,400. It's measurements are 73cm Height x 100cm Length and 50cm Width. At first I thought it was too wide, but now that I have been using it for a month, I just think it's the perfect size. I could place my laptop + other essentials. More on this later. If you want this table, you may click here to shop.

This is the FINAL and current look of my work from home set-up. It took me a while to complete the essentials. However, I think the most important accessory to invest on is a quality laptop stand like the one that holds my MacBook Pro 13 in the picture below. You may click here to shop for it as well.

FOR THE COMPLETE SET-UP GUIDE and TIPS, WATCH THE 2 VLOGS BELOW!

Work from Home / Online Class Set-up Guide, Accessories Tips and MY DESK TOUR!

The BEST Ergonomic Chair from Korea Complete Review and Guide (for SHORT PEOPLE)

Now that you have seen my 2 vlogs, I am sure you hav collected various tips on how you could set-up a comfortable corner from you that it not expensive, that looks great, is functional and most of all, comfortable for us short people!

Oh, before I settled with the D10 Korean Ergonomic Chair, I was actually considering the OFIX F16 Pro Ergonomic Chair that was for Php 6,999. Because I couldn't make up my mind between all the chairs I was considering, I actually went to an OFIX showroom, tried all the chairs and filmed a YouTube vlog. Here is the video, CLICK to watch the full video.

Here's how the Ofix F16 Pro looks on a 5'-5'2" woman. :)

WHY I DIDN'T CHOOSE IT :

First of all, it looks too masculine. I am a very girly woman that likes her things to match from the feel, to the material to the color. The F16 feels comfy, yes. But I just feel that it's too big for me. Kind of like when you borrow someone else's slippers. You could walk on it but you will definitely feel that it's big on you and when other people see you wear it, they will definitely notice, too. Second, it's pricey at Php 7,000.

I am very happy with my choice of chair, table and other accessories.

Oh, the Ergonomic chair is a gift from my Dad. The rechargeable lamp on my table is a gift from my Mom. :)

Just wanted to share that! Haha I feel happy that my parents are now a part of my work set-up.

I also changed my laptop from a Dell laptop that I have been using since 2016 to a NEW Apple MacBook Pro 13 Inches with the M1 CHIP!! This is one of the best purchases of my life. I have a detailed review on my new MacBook Pro 13 laptop! You may click here to watch the vlog OR click here to read the blog post.

I used to struggle editing my videos because of my sluggish Dell Laptop. (haha now that I'm writing about it, I did suffer for quite a while working on a tiny table, sitting on a low couch and using a slow laptop.)

Anyway, the new MacBook Pro 13 M1 Chip is the bomb!! It was my first time switching to a Mac computer and I can say it's definitely worth the money. Be sure to watch my detailed review but just to emphasize how it improved my life, I went from rendering a 15-minute long video on my Dell laptop that usually takes 30-45 minutes to now rendering a 25-minute long video using the MacBook Pro for only 2 MINUTES!!!

Clearly, my dog loves my new set-up, too!

Some people spend money on other things but I think the most important things to spend our money on are on things that make our life easier and on things that we use on a daily basis - like a table and a chair!

I hope this blog post was able to help you decide which items you need for you work setup or for your upcoming online class corner for next school year. (At least you have few months to save money for the items you saw on this blog post. hehe)

Thank you for reading this blog post. I post MORE content on my YouTube channel! SUBSCRIBE for more posts like this + more useful and relatable weekly content.

Stay safe!

NEW MacBook Pro Laptop M1 REVIEW - Is It Really Worth Buying?

2021-05-16T19:13:00.003+08:00

I've been a Windows user ever since I leaned how to use a computer. But this year, I needed to buy a new one. I was deciding whether to get a new Windows laptop (specifically Dell XPS 15) or try using a MAC for the first time. I went with the latter.

Here is my first-ever purchase of a MacBook laptop - the NEW MacBook Pro 13 inches with M1 CHIP!

Since I am a new MAC user, I decided to do this review as a guide for people like me that are torn between buying another Windows and switching to a Mac. I also want to share my honest thoughts on using a MacBook for the first time.

There are many gadgets reviews on the internet, especially on MacBooks, I personally think men are better when it comes to tech and gadget reviews. But sometimes, they forget to mention the basic issues since they could get too technical.

Let my simple review be your guide in deciding!

COMPUTER SPECS : Apple MacBook Pro 13 Inches

Memory & Storage : 8 GB | 512 GB SSD

Color : Silver

Price : Php 85,990

I went for the 8GB 512GB SSD unit. I wanted to upgrade to a 16GB memory because I will be using my laptop for video and photo editing. But the sales attendant at Power Mac Center at Robinson's Magnolia told me I would have to wait another 6-8 weeks before my upgraded unit would be released. So I just went with the readily available 8GB. I got worried that it won't be powerful enough for my needs... but I was wrong!

Watch the video for a more detailed review and my honest thoughts on the new MacBook Pro 13 :

The video mentions the PROS and CONS of switching from Windows to a Mac laptop. After I decided that I was finally going for a MacBook Pro, the next dilemma was "Which color do I pick?"

Both colors of the MacBook Pro are equally sleek and beautiful - Silver and Space Grey. I did watch a lot of YouTube unboxing, reviews and comparisons But in my opinion, nothing beats actually going to a physical store and seeing the items. Sometimes the lighting in videos may be different than in person plus your decision might change once you get to touch the item.

LEFT : Space Gray | RIGHT : Silver

Since I could not decide between the Space Grey and the Silver, I had to go to an Apple Store twice. On the third visit, I was finally able to buy, but even then I was still glancing at the Space Grey. (haha)

LEFT : Space Gray | RIGHT : Silver

In the end, I went for a Silver MacBook Pro. But it was a tough decision! I think if it's your first MacBook Laptop, a Classic Silver is the better option since it's also the iconic color. But if you are upgrading from an older model Mac (which presumably is in Silver), then this time getting the Space Grey would be the best choice. I also asked a lot of friends for an opinion on the color. I noticed that most women voted for Silver while most Men voted for Space Grey.

I also suggest taking a photo! This is one of my anti-impulse-buying secret. Whenever there's something I really like or when I can't decide between 2 items or 2 colors, I always visit the store and take photos with the 2 items or 2 colors. Then I delay the purchase. Delaying the purchase will help you decide which one you actually prefer and which one suits you best as you could go home, think it through and even compare the item to the light or interior of your home.

IN THE PHOTO : Space Gray

In the end, I still went for the Silver as this is my first MacBook. Also upon much thought, I realized that the Silver matches the aesthetic of my home and it matches my personality more. If I were a guy, or an executive or a less-girly woman, I would have definitely chosen Space Grey! (Maybe on my 2nd MacBook Laptop!)

What's funny though is that I went ahead and bought a case and keyboard protector for this unit. I know some Mac users dislike that as they say it makes the computer look "cheap". But since I have pets, I want to make sure my dogs don't accidentally scratch the cover.

What's your opinion, though? Would you buy your future MacBook a cover and protector, too? Or are you bold enough to just use it as it is?

To wrap the vlog, here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of this computer as compared to my old laptop :

PROS :

Slim and sleek design

Something new than the usual Windows computer

Faster video editing

Accurate color display

Good speaker / audio

Doesn't create fan noise even when video editing

Doesn't heat up even if I multi-task

Amazing trackpad

Convenient Touch Bar

Lightweight (perfect for bringing outside home)

Secure and worry-free use

Long battery life (up to 20 hours)

Small and lightweight charger

CONS :

Potato-quality camera

No built-in memory card reader

Inconvenient because you need a separate USB hub

Cursor is slow when typing / backspacing

Pricey compared to a standard Windows laptop

Overall, I am really happy with this laptop! At first, I was contemplating getting the Dell XPS 15 since my laptop before this was also a Dell. But upon watching many Dell x Mac comparison reviews and a couple of visit to an Apple store, I finally decided to with to MAC! I also decided to do so since I recently bought an iPad Pro 11 inches. I thought slowly switching to Mac ecosystem is something great for a change. You could read about my iPad Pro 2020 HERE.

Thank you for reading this blog post. I post MORE content on my YouTube channel! SUBSCRIBE for more posts like this + more useful and relatable weekly content.

Stay safe!

NEW iPAD PRO 2020 Unboxing and Setup ASMR!

2020-11-29T13:00:00.005+08:00

If you're working from home or currently taking online classes, Apple iPad Pro 2020 must be something you're eyeing for, too.

I have a laptop and a mobile phone that work perfectly. However, I wanted an additional gadget to make some of my tasks easier. Such as responding to e-mails, watching movies and playing songs. I was contemplating between getting an iPad Pro 2020 or the iPad Air 2020. In the end, I decided to get the PRO. Here's my unboxing, set-up guide and initial thoughts.

Before purchasing this device, I was contemplating whether I should go for iPad Pro 2020 or the newer iPad Air 2020. The difference in price is about Php 8,000 to Php 10,000. Since the iPad Air wasn't released in the Philippines at that time yet, I watched a lot of YouTube videos, Unboxings and Reviews to help me decide. In the end, I still went for the higher-end, more expensive iPad Pro 2020.

Watch the #ASMR Unboxing :

Gadget Specs :

iPad Pro 2020 | 11 Inches

256 GB | Space Gray

WHY I CHOSE iPAD PRO :

If I have other Apple gadgets like an iPhone, Macbook, Air Pods, iMac, Watch and so on, I would have gone for the iPad Air. But since it will be my first-ever Apple product, I wanted to go for something premium. Upon watching a looot of reviews and comparison, I found out that the Speaker and Mic and Camera were also a lot better on the pro. 3 important factors especially because I was buying a table for movies, music and video calls.

I am not very techy so I wouldn't have been able to tell the speed, refresh rate, etc had I gone with the Air. But for the 3 important reasons stated above, I went ahead and got the iPad Pro instead.

The iPad Pro has sleek design and premium feel. I am so glad I chose this! A good way to start my Apple journey. To be honest, this device is even more expensive than the mobile phone I have been using for a year, but I do not feel a single regret getting this. In fact, I like the iOS that I am even considering even upgrading my work laptop from Dell to Macbook Pro.

However, there is 1 important detail about the Macbook Pro that has been giving me second thoughts - it does not have a built in memory card slot reader. As a Content Creator, I need to insert and transfer files from my camera to my laptop daily. Having to use a dongle is not something I would fancy should I decide for the Macbook Pro. But this story is for another blogpost.

One of my favorite things about the iPad Pro is it's screen. It's sleek, smooth and glides-easily...like soft butter. lol However, I have seen few YouTubers suggest putting "paperlike" screen protector on it to make it seem like "paper". If you have an iPad, do not get this! Doing so will waste the money you spent as the "paper feel" makes swiping on the device extremely rough, it will make you forget you're even using an iPad in the first place as it will make the device "slower".

I suggest getting a tempered glass protector instead. Or even a thin, glossy plastic film. But never this "paper" type of protector. I got mine online for Php 550. I only found out that it's not worth it after I applied it on the screen. I'll use it for a while so as not to waste money spent on it, but I will definitely not get it again.

Other than that, I have no other issues about this device.

If you have been thinking of getting this or just waiting for the final sign that it's the best gadget for you, THIS IS YOUR SIGN! *lol*

It's perfect if you are a student and need a bigger screen for your online classes. It's also good for work-from-home jobs that don't require complex tasks. I also recommend it for Content Creators, IT, Enginners, Artists, etc that need a second monitor / device aside from their desktop or laptop screen.

I hope you also enjoyed my ASMR Unboxing!

Check out my YouTube channel (link here) for more relaxing and relatable videos.

Don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts to stay updated!

YouTube - YouTube.com/user/RealAsianBeauty

Facebook - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty

Instagram - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

DALGONA COFFEE Easy Recipe & Tutorial (Korean Cafe Inspired)

2020-11-09T21:41:00.004+08:00

Dalgona Coffee became really popular in 2020, especially when the lockdown was implemented not only in the Philippines, but all over the world. People in were "bored" and hungry at home so they came up with this brilliant idea of "whipping" coffee to make it extra frothy and creamy.

But Dalgona was already popular in South Korea before Covid happened. If you've been to Korea, you have probably seen this being sold at streets for W 1,000. Dalgona candy is made by melting sugar, adding some corn syrup and baking soda, and then forming it again into cute shapes before it hardens once again. You have probably seen this on Korea dramas as well.

Now let me show you how to make Easy DALGONA COFFEE!

Dalgona Coffee Ingredients :

-Instant Coffee (plain, don't use 3-in-1 mix coffee)

-White Sugar

-Milk

It's much better if you have electric mixer to do this fancy drink. But if you don't, fret not! I was able to successfully whip my coffee mixture using just bowl, rice ladle and effort. However, it took me 10 minutes to whip it into thick cream!

But the result is impressive! This is perfect if you want to try cafe-like coffee while still on quarantine, if you want to impress someone or if you simply want a fancy drink!

I hope you enjoyed this simple Dalgona Coffee Tutorial. TAG me on your social media post when you try this drink, too! I'm @RealAsianBeauty on Instagram and on Facebook!

Don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts to stay updated!

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♥

Kristine

How To Effectively Use Planners To Plan & Budget Your Life! | 2020 Planners Guide

2020-03-03T17:30:00.000+08:00

One thing we always have at the start of the year is a planner. Either we buy it ourselves or get it as a gift from the past holiday. I used to dislike the idea of using planners. I just didn't get the idea of having to write on it daily.

But as I got older, I realized being dedicated to using a planner is really helpful. Not just in planning what we need for the next day, but also in planning other important things such as planning our finances, setting our goals, taking not of our expenses and other things!

I decided to share my favorite planners and how I use them.

PLANNERS I USE :
*BDJ Power Planner (shop here)
*C&S Designs Planner (shop here)

I have been using BDJ Power Planner since 2013. At the end of each year, I like to reread and look back on the things I wrote at the start of the year like my goals and aspirations for that said year. I also keep them for memory sake and also in case I need (or I want) to remember something from that year. Here are all of my BDJ Planners from 2013-2019.

In 2019, I also started using C&S Designs Planners. I liked it because of how colorful and well-designed every page is. I'm sure you will also love this planner if you want to keep track of your monthly finances. Also perfect for people who have no time to decorate every page.

WATCH THIS VLOG for more planner tips!

Aside from planning my week and writing my to-do things, I also use my planners as a daily journal. I use the C&S Planner to track my finances, to write my goals and to write the things I have to do for each day. I use the BDJ Planner as a daily journal. I decorate every week with stickers and highlighters. I write what I did every day just to continue how I've been using BDJ since 2013.

I see other planner users who have loads and loads of stuff, decorations and accessories. But the very basic things you need are highlighters, pens, washi tapes and some stickers.

If you really want to use your planners to set goals and keep you motivated, I suggest using the front page as your DREAM BOARD. Dream board, for me, is very effective in visualizing the things you want to attract and to happen that year. I also stick some photos that inspire me or make me feel good so I am always motivated to write on my planners.

Here is my sample weekly spread. I write the things I did or felt every day and then I use highlighters to decorate. It's a creative yet inexpensive way to decorate your planner. Also, I use stickers to express how I felt that day or to take note of things I did or food I ate.

I prefer using ready-to-use planners like the ones I showed on this post. But some people prefer using bullet journals and personalizing each page. I also think that is very impressive but could be time-consuming and needs dedication and passion. hehe

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learning some tips on how I use and maximize my planners. Happy 2020 planning!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my other posts and skin care reviews for more tips and stories!

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♥

Kristine

NEW YEAR DECLUTTER | 20 Things You Need To LET GO This 2020!

2020-01-28T12:02:00.000+08:00

NEW YEAR, NEW ME. We often hear this every new year. But how often do we actually do it? The good news is that creating a clutter-free and stress-free new year is as easy as letting go of our extra stuff!

DOES YOUR HOME LOOK LIKE THIS? Does it look like this when you're stressed or busy only or does it look like this on a normal, daily basis? If your answer is YES to any of the 2 questions, then you really need to DECLUTTER and LET GO now!

I'm not a neat freak. My home often gets messy. But I realized that 2 of the reasons why my home often gets messy are 1. Because I live alone so no one is there to help. 2. Because I have too much stuff for someone who lives alone.

HERE ARE TOP 20 THINGS YOU NEED TO LET GO THIS YEAR!

Memories become clutter. Booking ticket, bookmark, sorority shirt... just some of the things that tend to pile up because we keep them for sentimental reasons.

But to be honest, decluttering and throwing away stuff is never easy. My tip is to start small. Begin your declutter by throwing away small stuff like old receipts that aren't needed anymore. I also suggest that instead of keeping bulky yet sentimental stuff, you could take a photo or video of or with the item. That way, you lessen the bulky clutter but still get to keep the memory. Last tip is ONE IN, TWO OUT. For every 1 ITEM you buy and take home, you must then try to throw away, let go or giveaway 2 ITEMS.

I wasn't able to take a photo of all the items I decluttered because I did this declutter on different days. But here are some of the items that include old clothes, pr boxes,, expired skin care products, old accessories, damage shoes and old makeup tools.

Another thing I did after the declutter was to light sage sticks after saying a prayer. I watched this on a Law of Attraction so I decided to give it a try. I got this sage stick from Lazada and it's super affordable. If you want to buy some, CLICK HERE. According to my research, they say lighting sage sticks will cleanse negative energy and even some bacteria in a place to allow a fresh start.

I hope you liked my simple declutter tips.

I also hope you liked my BLOG COMEBACK! I can't believe my last blog post was in July 2019!!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my other posts and skin care reviews for more tips and stories!

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♥

Kristine

LIPSTICK NI HEART! | Lóreal x Love Marie Lipstick Collection Swatches and Review

2019-07-26T14:06:00.001+08:00

Love Marie Ongpauco aka Heart Evangelista recently launched a lipstick collaboration with Lóreal Paris. The LorealxLoveMarie Collection!

It's Art with Heart. Lóreal lipsticks that come in exclusive hand-painted collection by Love Marie. Each design is an evocativve mix of Parisian couture and the vibrant style of Love Marie's art. The lipsticks are Lóreal's Color Riche collection of creamy, luxurious matte color in a smooth glide!

I was one of the first people to try the said collection. I was also lucky enough to have met Love Marie at the launch.

So, what do I think of this collaboration?

It comes in 5 shades of Lóreal's Color Riche lipsticks. Take note, however, that these are NOT especially created lipstick shades for Love Marie(Heart). Rather, these are already existing Lóreal lipsticks that were repackaged using Love Marie's painting.

SHADES : Brick Planet, Rouge-a-Porter, Spring Rosette, Hinted Blush and Pure Rouge

PRICE : Php 399 per lipstick tube

You may also buy all 5 shades still at Php 399 each and get the special box for free!

Lóreal x Love Marie Lipstick Review :

Here are the swatches :

Which shade is your favorite? Mine is the Pure Rouge! Though I am morena and Love Marie has way lighter skin tone than me, this shade still looks good on either skin tone! It also does not make my teeth look yellowish.

VERDICT :
Though these lipsticks come in special,artsy packaging, I'd like to be honest that these are just pre-existing Lóreal lipsticks that you could purchase anytime. It's also Php 50 more if you buy the special packaging than if you buy the regular ones. The packaging is not embosed nor printed on the tube but rather made of sticker paper placed on the tube. As for the quality of the lipstick, they are not long-lasting, non-matte and transfers when you eat or drink. I also noticed that the color on the label is different than on the actual swatch. Some shades may look light pink or nude on the label but come out as purple or dark brown.

For me, it's a nice lipstick to collect if you are into cute packaging and celeb-collab makeups! I also had a memorable experience meeting Love Marie so I always tell about it to my friends! I really think getting a model that will speak for the brand who has a good heart is better than just randomly getting popular models. I mean, Heart is popular but in person, she is such a sweetheart. I will never forget her kindness and genuineness.

You may get these LórealxLoveMarie lipsticks at local drugstore, beauty stores and also online like Lazada!

I hope you enjoyed reading! Comment below what you think of this collection.

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If you liked this post, be sure to check out my other posts and skin care reviews for more tips and stories!

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♥

Kristine

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD TRY KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE | Purito Product Review

2019-03-05T09:45:00.001+08:00

My skin is sensitive, oily and extremely acne-prone. It could be clear and smooth one day and then have awful pimple breakout the following morning. I've used a lot of beauty products and other products that promise to make my skin look better and deal with my sensitive skin.

Korean skin care products are in demand these days. But with so much brands to choose from, how do you know which one to trust and try?

I have recently been introduced to a Korean skin care brand called PURITO.

PURITO is a Korean brand in which the name comes from the word "purify" and a Chinese character that means soil. Purito means "safe and honest" natural ingredients that come from clean soil. Clean ingredients means safe even for delicate skin.

When I went to Korea last Winter of 2018, I brought all these products and used them in Korea. Aside from the great weather they have in Korea, I reckon the Purito produts helped me achieve a better looking skin. Some of the things I loved about Purito products was the scent of the products. They all smelled "pure" and minimal, as if I'm only putting water on my face. None of the "chemical" scent other products give. My skin type is sensitive so I really appreciated that the ingredients of Putito products are safe and natural. I was really impressed at how much it helped improve my skin despite being mild and natural.

To watch my full KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE IN KOREA, be sure to watch the video below! (The video was shot entirely in Seoul!)

Another great thing to note is that the products have very minimal chemical ingredients. They have excluded stuff like paraben, phenoxyethanol and more. The packaging is also minimal and simple, nothing too striking or over-the-top. I love that the products come in recycled boxes. Less cost on packaging, more focus on better ingredients!

HERE ARE ALL THE PRODUCTS I USED :

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL ALL-in-ONE MILD PAD

This mild pad wipes away any remaining residue that sometimes gets left behind even after washing your face. It removes makeup residue and sebum and oil that tend to cause acne breakout. It helps stimulate collagen, activates cells and helps calm down inflamed skin and reduces pigmentation, too.

DEFENCE BARRIER pH FACE CLEANSER

This gel face cleanser has low pH level of 5.5. This helps maintain the skin's pH level while cleansing the face, removing makeup, dirt and oil. After using, you will notice that the skin feels fresher but still moist and dewy.

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL CALMING TONER

The ingredients of this toner are effective in making skin smoother. It soothes and relieves damaged skin. It has high moisturizing effect that is safe for sensitive skin. Use if after cleansing the face to activate the skin for the next skincare steps.

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL BUFFET SERUM

After using the toner, applying this serum will act as skin barrier. It has lightening, moisturizing and anti-wrinkle benefits. It has collagen, ceramide and hudraulic acid that will help improve the skin condition. The best part of this is that it feels mild on the face so this is perfect for people with sensitive skin that dislike the feeling of other itchy, sticky and stingy products.

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL RECOVERY CREAM

This recovery cream is good for people with sensitive skin. It can help with collagen synthesis,it activates cells and also helps calm down inflamed skin and also reduces pigmentation.

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL EYE CREAM

This eye cream is perfect for the delicate skin around your eyes. This will help with skin sagging and will also help with the slowing of aging process around the eyes. It has moisturizing power that will help against wrinkles.

SNAIL CLEARING BB CREAM SPF 38

This total solution BB cream provides skin with UV protection and also whitens the skin and provides wrinkle care to protect from darkening and uneven skin tone. This is perfect for that healthy, glowy look without the thick sticky feel other foundations give.

Overall, I was really impressed with PURITO products. To be honest, I have tried A LOT of Korean skin care products, some of them were good but some, despite being raved K beauty brands, still gave me acne breakout. With Purito, however, I noticed that the products are really mild and gentle. You might think that for a product to be effective, it must be stingy, itchy or should cause the skin to dry and peel. But for me, real effective products are those that work without you actually feeling it.

When I used Purito, I noticed that they are really gentle, even the smell is really gentle. I am most aware, however, that some K items could get pricey, especially for us Filipinos. That is why if you have limited budget to just buy few items first, I would really recommend you try the Defence Barrier, the Centella Toner and the Buffet Serum. Those three are my favorite out of the all products I used. All of them are good, though. It's just that the three I mentioned earlier really stood out! I have already finished the three and am thinking of repurchasing the Centelle Buffet Serum!

If you want to try PURITO products, visit their website HERE.
They ship outside of Korea so you have nothing to worry about.

* * *

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my other posts and skin care reviews for more tips and stories!

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♥

Kristine

How Much MONEY You Need To Go To SOUTH KOREA | Travel Guide + Budget Tips!

2019-03-01T10:00:00.001+08:00

You've been wanting to go to South Korea for a short trip but are too afraid because you are not quite sure if you can afford it. What if you spend all your savings just for this trip? Is Seoul really an expensive city to travel to? How much money do you really need to go to South Korea?

This blog will give you all the answers to your questions. This is also the perfect travel guide for people going to South Korea for the first time!

For foreign readers, please note that for every Php 1,000 mentioned on this blog,
it is equivalent to approximately $20.

NUMBER OF DAYS in KOREA - 15 DAYS
TRAVEL PERIOD - November 14 - November 29, 2018

You don't necessarily have to spend money on every category mentioned on this blog. Treat this like a "buffet"blog where you only pick what you think you like and then leave the rest untouched.

* * *

If you are from the Philippines, the FIRST THING you need to secure, before even thinking how much money you'll need, is VISA!

VISA APPLICATION - Php 750 / person

There are different requirements depending what type of VISA you are applying for. There are also different fees depending which travel agency you will go to. I did a complete guide on Korea VISA Application for Filipinos. CLICK HERE to watch the video on YouTube.

AIRPLANE TICKET - Php 14, 380

In the Philippines, we have three top choices of airlines that fly straight to the Incheon Airport in Korea - Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airasia. On my first time to South Korea, I took Philippine Airlines. But each time I'd try to look for cheap airfare going to Korea, Airasia always has the cheapest offer.

My total airplane ticket fee was Php 14,380 for 2 WAY/ROUND TRIP. It was not on promo and I got it less than 2 months before my travel date. The base fare was only Php 9,000+. But upon adding the following, my total bill blew up.
Here are the additional fees :
-Philippine Travel Tax Php 1,620
-20 KGS baggage Php 849
-Additional 10 more KGS of baggage - Php 1,011
-Travel Insurance Php 465
-1 meal Php 127

I know some people skip travel insurance to save few bucks. But I strongly suggest getting it just in case something happens. On my first out-of-the-country trip to Hong-Kong, Cebu Pacific lost my luggage. Good thing I had travel insurance so they compensated for the loss. CLICK HERE to read my horrible luggage story.

FAQ!
Where is the best place to exchange money when travelling to South Korea?
On my first time in Korea, I only brought PESO. I exchanged about Php 3,000 here in the Philippines and then the rest of my money in South Korea. While it is wiser to do that on your first time as finding money changer in Seoul could be a challenge. So it's better to have some as soon as you land.

On my second time in Korea, I was more prepared. I saved enough US Dollars and brought all of them to Korea. I discovered that exchanging USD to KRW is better than exchanging PHP to KRW. Of course, it's better if you originally have USD. But if you will have to change from PHP to USD and then to KRW, then I think you will just lose some bucks. Another great tip is if you have credit card. I found out that using credit card is better as the exchange rate is more updated and accurate.

Now when you finally have to exchange money, the best places to do so are in Myeongdong, Insadong and in Hongdae. Usually, places where most tourists are. One thing I noticed in Korea is that money changers are rampant. I just remember that when I went to HK, money changers were almost everywhere. So always be cautious of your money and your budget. I once got lost and almost didn't make it back to my hotel in Seoul because I ran out of KRW and couldn't find a money changer.

For the COMPLETE GUIDE and TRAVEL TIPS for Korea,
be sure to watch this video below. It's long but I promise you it's worth your time!

FAQ!
Where is the best place to stay in South Korea?
I wrote a long and detailed post on all of the places I've stayed at in Seoul. This is useful for people who can't decide between hotel, Airbnb or hostel. CLICK HERE to read my detailed post on the BEST places to stay in Korea.

7 DAYS STAY AT HOTEL - Php 14,712 (shared with someone | Php 7,356 / person)

7 DAYS STAY AT A HOSTEL - Php 11,450

I skipped talking about my hotel and hostel experience in Korea because I talked about them thoroughly on my separate blog post. CLICK HERE to read my post on the best places to stay in South Korea.

15 DAYS BUDGET FOR T MONEY CARD - Php 3,000

T Money Card is really important when travelling to Korea. You could get it as soon as you arrive at the airport. You could also purchase it at convenience stores like GS25, CU and 7-11. It is very convenient as you could use it on subway, train, bus, taxi and even to buy food and merchandise. It also has centralized system as I was able to use the same card I bought in Seoul when I went to Busan.

One tip I could give to save money on T Money is to be sure you know your way before entering the subway or taking the train. I've experienced getting on the wrong train, getting off the wrong exit or simply getting lost because I wasn't too familiar with my way. Getting lost and tapping your card means wasting money. So if you feel you are lost, check the map and the signs first before tapping in or out.

15 DAYS FOOD (PROPER MEAL like Samgyupsal/Bibimbap etc) - Php 4,750

One thing you should really allot budget on is food. Food in Korea, compared to the Philippines, is pricey. Pricey yet delicious! That's why I'm sure you won't be able to resist having Samgyupsal everyday! (hehe) However, my Korean friends gave me some tips on saving. They all told me to stay away from the "tourist spots" if I want to find good deals. One Korean friend told me that Samgyupsal near Universities is cheaper as compared to Samgyupal restaurants around popular tourist spots.

Some meals I had were W15,000 per bowl of Bibimbap in Myeongdong or W7,000 just for a bowl of ramen in Hongdae. But this particular set was only W6,000! It's a set of bibimbap, bean paste soup and unlimited side dish! I had this near my hostel in Jonggak Station in Jongno-gu.

True enough, we were able to eat 2 huge chunks of Samgyupsal for only W 5,000 EACH. This was at her recommended place near Hanyang Univesity. However, other Samgyupsal sets I've had cost around W15,000 - W20,000 per chunk / 100 grams. What a huge saving!!

I don't recommend doing this, but when I travel, I usually just have 1 full meal per day. Not because I want to starve myself or save money. But because I find it difficult to squeeze all the things I want to do and to spend an hour or so sitting down and divulging on food. What I usually do is to have a FULL BREAKFAST at the hotel. Breakfast usually comes for free at hotels and hostels in Korea. Airbnb, though, don't offer the same freebie. This is the usual breakfast in Korea!

The fried egg, nachos and grapes aren't a staple but you will always expect to have a toast, butter and strawberry jam, coffee or orange juice, hard boiled egg, cereal with milk and simple fruit. I always take advantage of that and eat as many as I can so I won't easily feel hungry. Sometimes, I put the hard boiled egg in my pocket and eat if while walking.

I only eat either full lunch meal or full dinner meal. In between whenever I feel hungry, Korean convenience stores are life savers! They have ramen, coffee, sausages, burgers, rice meals, and fruits!

15 DAYS FOOD (Convenience Store) - Php 1,550

You will surely go crazy over their convenience store food. I see a lot of items that aren't brought here in the Philippines. One of my favorites is the triangle kimbap. They kept me full on some nights I felt hungry. I ate it while watching New Journey to the West!

Oh, another favorite of mine is the coffee bun with sweet filling! There are lots of bakeshops that sell this but my ultimate favorite is the one in Wangshimni Subway Station. I buy it every time I would pass by that area. For only W1,000, it kept me full and happy for a few hours.

15 DAYS STREET FOOD - Php 815

You are probably surprise that I only spent Php 815 when Korea is a haven for street food lovers. It's because I've already tasted them on my first time in Korea. I feel I have to warn you that Korean street food is not cheap by Philippine standard. A stick of barbecue would be around W4,000 or Php 185!

My ultiate favorite is the ODENG! I ate it everyday! Some stalls in Myeongdong sell it for W2,000 per stick. But you should wait until you see it for only W500 at another place. W500 is the cheapest you could get it for. Different place, same great taste!

UNLIMITED DATA SIM FOR 30 DAYS - Php 3,240

Please don't ever think you will survive in Korea without internet on your phone. Yes, Wi-Fi is available but it's really smarter to have your phone connected all the time. You don't know when you'll need to use Google Maps or Naver Map.

On my first time in Korea, I went crazy with Instagram Live and used it almost every single day of my trip for 10 days. I thought I would do the same on this trip that's why I got an unlimited data. But if you only need it for Google, Maps and for social media updating, I am sure W 35,000 for 2 GB internet is enough.

For me, almost every place in Seoul is tour-worthy and Instagram worthy. But if you have limited time to go around, I am guessing you these places are on your to-go places : Gyeongbokgung Palace, Everland, Nami Island and N Seoul Tower.

GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE (Hanbok Rent + Free Entrance) - Php 1,580

Getting inside Gyeongbokgung Palace is not expensive. The first time I went there, ticket was only W6,000. However, if you come in Hanbok (Korean Traditional Clothes), you will be allowed to get inside for free. Not only that, other palaces and traditional villages will let you in for free you come dress in Hanbok. When I searched online, there are various prices for renting Hanbok, some of them are even way cheaper that what I paid for. But I was happy with my Hanbok. At first, I thought I would go for girly-pink but ended up wearing red and black.

Do you know the term Cultural Appropriation? Did you know that most Koreans never get offended when you wear their traditional clothes? They never find it offensive nor foul, rather they feel proud that foreigners take interest in their culture. While going around Gyeongbokgung Palace in this ensemble, a lot of Korean elderly people praised me saying I look pretty in it. Some tourists (American and Malaysian) even asked to take photos with me because they said my Hanbok just looks so beautiful!

Anyway, to save money on entrance fee and for nice photos, I suggest coming in Hanbok! It's a bit pricey but you don't always get to wear it, right?

EVERLAND TOUR (Entrance + Bus Service via Klook) - Php 3,320

Everland is the biggest amusement park in South Korea. While you could always do a DIY trip, my companion suggested we book our tickets via Klook. It was convenient because it comes with bus service that will pick you up and then drop you off at designated stops like Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, etc.

I am not a fan of adventurous rides so I felt like I wasted money on this. My companion rode them alone while I waited for her for an hour or so. Lines at the popular rides are loooong.

But if you haven't seen BEARS and PANDA in real life, then you will definitely enjoy it here. I saw BEARS up close and saw PANDA for the first time here in Everland. Made my ticket worth the price!

NAMI ISLAND TOUR - Php 1,540

Going to Nami Island from Seoul is convenient and not really expensive. In fact, it's one of the most affordable touristy spots. The ticket for the ferry from the port going to Nami Island is only W13,000/Php 600. But I included the ticket for the ITX train from Yongsan Station going to Gapyeong. Therefor, budget is Php 1,500. Pretty cheep considering how beautiful the place is!

Aside from the ITX train ticket, you also need to take either Bus or Taxi going to the Nami Nara port. Bus is around W5,000 per person and Taxi is about W7,000 per trip. My companion and I took the comfortable taxi and paid only W3,500 per person. Sometimes, it's best to calculate before taking off.

N SEOUL TOWER (Namsan Tower Cable Car) - Php 650

Going up to Namsan Tower / N Seoul Tower is basically for free but it's how you get up there that you have to spend money on. For some, bus is the better option. While for others, they'd rather go up by hiking, As for me, the most convenient way to go up is to take the cable car.

If you are going with your special someone, be sure to bring lock and keys and a marker so you lock your unending love and them throw the keys somewhere. I haven't done it yet but that's something I look forward to doing someday.

You could purchase set of lock with keys at the Tower but it's a bit pricey!

TRIP TO BUSAN (3 Days 2 Nights Trip) - Php 6,150 + Php 1,100

For my Trip to Busan from Seoul, I spent Php 6,150 on the round-trip KTX tickets and 1 Night hostel accommodation in Busan. The Php 1,100 was spent on some food, snacks and souvenir. I saved money on my Trip to Busan as I met 2 Korea and 1 Filipino friends there. They all treated me to food and accommodation so I saved a lot.

KTX is the train that we saw on the movie Train to Busan. It's the speed train that takes you from Seoul to Busan in about 3 hours or less. While other slower trains will take 6 to 7 hours. The KTX tickets are pricey. If you have lots of time in South Korea I suggest visiting the place as it's nice to see other parts of SK aside from Seoul. But if you are tight on budget and have limited time to go around, I suggest skipping it as KTX tickets are pricey and you need at least 2 days to go back and forth.

EXO-L FAN GIRLING (Viva Polo Restaurant) - Php 910

As an EXO-L since 2011, it has been my dream to visit and dine at Viva Polo. The restaurant that Chanyeol's Mom and their family owns and runs.

On my first time in Korea, I didn't have enough time as the place is located around an hour away from Seoul via subway. On my second visit, I made sure I had time to visit. Luckily I pushed myself to visit and Viva Polo was apparently closing. As we're speaking, the restaurant is already closed.

I spent double of what I usually pay for each meal in Korea but it was well worth it. I did not see Chanyeol's Mom but it was a great and surreal experience to be at the same place Chanyeol often visits. The food was decent. The seafood pasta was great! I wish I could eat it again.

15 DAYS COFFEE and COFFEE SHOP STOPS - Php 2,604

South Korea is a haven for coffee and coffee shop lovers! I mean, there's at least 1 coffee shop at every street. If you want to taste different sorts of coffee blends or if you simply want to take nice photos with the awesome interior, SK coffee shops have got you covered!

I also reckon sipping a cup of warm coffee on a chilly day will help you get by. However, coffee in Korea is not cheap. If you think Php 150 per cup of Starbucks in the Philippines is already too much, then imagine having coffee for at least Php 270 (6,000 Won) in Korea!

LINE Friends Cafe and Store in Itaewon

STYLENANDA Pink Pool Cafe in Myeongdong

SM COEX Artium Cafe in Gangnam

If you are in for some coffee adventure, I suggest allotting at least Php 500 - Php 1,000 per cafe visit!

It's cold in Korea. Especially if you are used to warm climate like what we have in the Philippines. Keeping yourself warm also means you may have to spend some bucks.

15 DAYS HOT PACK BUDGET - Php 490

Hot pack is a great invention! You tear the packaging , grab the small pouch inside it, shake it for a few minutes then it heats up and keeps you warm for a few hours. It's really a great invention. Some hot packs I've tried even stay warm until the next day. To save some bucks, I suggest buying sets that come in 5 or 10 pieces rather than buying one pack at a time.

This is really essential especially if you have a lot of walking and outdoor activities. I suggest having 2 packs per day and opening it after lunch or in the afternoon so it keeps you warm until you get back to your hotel at night. Put one hot pack per pocket of your coat and you are good to go. I noticed that the hot packs gets more warm when you are inside warm places like subway, train or taxi. So take it out while your inside hot establishments so it accumulates hear and then put it back in the pocket once your back on the street.

TAXI in KOREA - Php 1,120

Transportation system in Korea is really efficient and convenient. But on times when you feel extremely tired or lazy, taxis are available, too. PRO TIP! Sometimes, it's better to take taxi when you are traveling in 2 or in 4. Simply split the bill!

CLOTHES SHOPPING IN KOREA - Php 8,480

If you are a fashion-forward type of person, Korea will surely excite you! Did you know that clothes are cheap in Korea and they are impressively of good quality? In the Philippines, clothes that come from "tyangge"are usually not as pretty as branded ones. But in Korea, even clothes that are sold on the streets or under the subway are of great quality! You will be shocked to see thick sweaters that cost only Won 6,000 or Php 270! If you dare, try going to Korea without bringing too much clothes. On your first day, head over to Hongdae, Myeongdong and some subway underground shopping for your clothes. I promise, you won't regret it. That's what I intend to do when I go back to Korea!

CUTE STUFF SHOPPING - Php 2,900

There's so much cute stuff to see and to buy in Korea. Who needs flapping-ear hats or furry bag chains? We don't need them but we still want to buy them! (hehe)

PASALUBONG (Gifts for family and friends) - Php 6,420

As mentioned above, there are certainly too much cute stuff in Korea. Oh, does your Mom want that heart-shaped lipstick? Perhaps your friend would like that bear in Hanbok? Maybe your boss would like a traditional Korean hanky? You see cute, you buy cute!

And that my friend, is how you spend too much on pasalubong. (hehe) Come to think of it, when my friends travel, I never expect them to hand me anything from their trip. It's not like they actually give me anything, though. Hehe But why do I like buying stuff for family and friends back home? I guess it's our natural instinct to want people we love have a bite of what we experienced from our trip, don't you agree?

But if you want to save some money and avoid over-spending, you could definitely skip too much shopping. I am sure our family and friends will still love us even if we don't give them anything from our trip.

Que my favorite "hoarer"song... "Ang dami-daming bagay na hindi naman kailangan."

Oh, did you want to see all the things I got from my WINTER TRIP to KOREA? CLICK HERE to watch my Korea Haul on YouTube.

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That's everything I spent on my recent 15-day trip to South Korea. Some people think I spent too much while others think I was frugal at that. I guess it really depends on what your itinerary is and what your priorities are.

SHOULD YOU CONVERT MONEY WHEN TRAVELING?!

I remember I was bashed on one of my videos when I went to Hong-Kong because I kept converting prices from HKD to PHP. While others believe that one must not convert when travelling, I would like to disagree. Sure we saved money for the trip but must we really buy that Php 500 pesos cupcake in Korea just so we could take a photo of it for our Instagram? Perhaps we could buy the same cute-looking cupcake back home for only Php 120? Money is not UNLIMITED. When we travel, we bring with us Philippine Money. We don't work where we travel nor do we get paid with their currency. What may be affordable in Korea may be extremely pricey in the Philippines, considering the economic status. If you migrated or are working in a foreign country, then I think that's the only time you have to skip converting prices. But as long as we're still getting our salary in Philippine Peso, then I think it is always wiser to convert, compare and think "DO I REALLY HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON THIS?"

*Yes, I am looking at you Php 400 EXO cupcake I got from SM Coex cafe which tasted awful! I love EXO, but you cupcake, are not worth the money!*

TOTAL MONEY SPENT IN KOREA for 15 DAYS
- Php 86, 525

Is that too big? Is that too small? Our concept of "too big" and "too small" varies depending on our priorities and status in life. For me, that's quite a sum of money. I would have spent only Php 50,000 had I not gone to pricey coffee shops, rented the pricey Hanbok which I only wore for 1 hour because something happened between me and the person I went to Korea with, had I not shopped for makeup and random cute things and perhaps if I hadn't gone to Busan. I do not regret anything I spent my money on but I honestly think there are better ways to enjoy without spending too much.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED IF I'M GOING FOR ONLY 7 DAYS?
If you scroll back up and list all the important stuff, you will come down to a total amount of Php 40,000. That amount includes the vital things like 2-way airfare tickers, 7 days hotel accommodation that you are to split with your companion, T Money budget, food and entrance fee to some tourist spots. If you can stretch your budget to Php 50,000 then it will be best.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO HAVE IN MY BANK?
I did a separate and detailed video on that topic. CLICK HERE to watch my YouTube video explaining everything you need to know about VISA and BANK requirements.

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I hope this blog post was able to help you plan your coming trip to South Korea. For more tips and travel guide, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel HERE.

Don't forget to SHARE THIS POST to your family or your friends traveling to South Korea soon! :)

FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

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FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

MY REAL PLASTIC SURGERY EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH KOREA + My Shocking Decision!!

2019-02-04T00:30:00.000+08:00

They say even the most beautiful people still have a thing or two that they are not happy about or are insecure about. Imagine you are a blogger like I am and you were given the opportunity to go to South Korea, visit a prestigious plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam and enhance whichever part of your face or body that you like, WOULD YOU DO IT?

That has got to be one of the most difficult questions I had to answer in my life.

In 2017, I was contacted by a cosmetic surgery concierge in South Korea called Beautemedix. They told me they wanted to offer me FREE plastic surgery procedures in exchange of vlogging them and posting them on my YouTube channel.

Growing up, I was the "bullied"girl in class because of my physical appearance. I was short, thin, dark, had extremely oily face, wide forehead, bushy eyebrows, crooked teeth... You see, I wasn't the "cute and adorable"girl every teacher was fond of. I was the quiet and insecure girl at the back seat. Being a YouTube vlogger was no exemption. I also get "cyber bullies", get called names, get compared to other pretty YouTubers.

Truth be told, when I was contacted by Beautemedix, I got excited. I mean, it's plastic surgery in Korea and it's for FREE! But must we really go that far for the sake of beauty? This vlog was taken in 2017 but I had to think hundred of times if I really wanted to upload the video and "influence" my followers to consider plastic surgery.

On this post, I will share my REAL PLASTIC SURGERY experience in South Korea,

What is BEAUTEMEDIX and why did they offer FREE plastic surgery TO ME?
Beautemedix is a government approved medical concierge service company in Korea. They offer cosmetic surgery and other medical treatments. The purpose is to help foreign patients get premium medical service to clients in Korea. They also encourage "Korea Medical Tourism" as these days, many people come to Korea for medical treatments especially for cosmetic surgery. NOTE, however, that they DO NOT offer free plastic surgery. They only offered it to me in exchange of promotion.

Honestly, there are many things I want to improve in my appearance. My wide forehead (is that even possible with plastic surgery?), my prominent cheekbones, my defined jawline, my crooked teeth, my laugh lines, my huge pores, my humble boobs...

Do you know the popular TV show "Let Me In"? They showcase the amazing works of plastic surgery in Korea and show different transformation stories. I personally watch it and am totally impressed with their work.

When I went to View Plastic Surgery clinic in Gangnam, I wanted to see the difference in beauty standard between Korea and the Philippines. I was able to schedule a consultation with 2 of their renowned doctors.

One thing that you have to note, though, is that the doctors purely speak in Korean. Beautemedix will help with the translation but I think that's where you'll meet your waterloo since medical terms are somehow difficult to translate. The doctors are friendly but I just think it's better if they could speak in English to break language barriers.

TO SEE MY PLASTIC SURGERY IN KOREA EXPERIENCE, BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW :

So the real question is, DID I UNDERGO PLASTIC SURGERY??

In the end, I decided to decline the free plastic surgery and just opt for the non-invasive treatments like laser facial treatment and botox on my jaws.

WHY DID I TURN DOWN THE FREE "RETOKE"OFFER?
I have nothing against people who have gone through or want to go through plastic surgery to enhance their appearance. I believe they also deserve to be respected. But in my opinion and as a YouTube Creator, I am aware that I have a lot of young followers. Aside from them, I know I also have a lot of followers who may be feeling down and are insecure because of their physical appearance and acne problem. As an online influencer, I do not want to give my followers the wrong impression that I am encouraging them to alter their appearance just so they would "fit in" with the beauty standard and expectations of this society. With the rise of social media where almost everything is being posted and shared online, it's so easy to compare our lives to others. I don't want my followers to compare their struggles to my "plastic surgery" and then have them think that this is the better option.

Somehow, I want to be a GOOD INFLUENCE to viewers and don't want to give them the wrong impression that "changing your face is the only solution to happiness and acceptance". Though looking beautiful does give us the feeling of self-satisfaction, I still believe self-love and self-acceptance plus CONFIDENCE are the most important factors that make someone truly BEAUTIFUL. Of course, there are other things you could do to achieve your desired beauty like taking care of your skin, eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, taking vitamins, knowing how to apply makeup that compliments you, wearing the right clothes, taking care of your teeth, and so much more! You may wonder why I declined to get plastic surgery even though I could get any treatment for FREE... I realized I'd rather be bashed and hated on for being who I am than to be praised and loved for who I am not. I realized that each and every flaw and imperfection I have is what makes me... BE ME! And you should always remember that, NO ONE is like YOU and that is your advantage! :)

But like what I've mentioned, I have nothing against and still have respect and love for people who opted to get plastic surgery. I know some people do it not to alter their appearance but because it was recommended by their doctors for their health and for their body to function more properly.

In the end, I only had FACIAL TREATMENT and BOTOX. BUT, it's not everyday that I get to experience getting facial in Gangnam! Truly, beauty standard in Korea is on another level!

I had botox on my jaws to relax my muscle. It is injected into the chewing muscle causing it to weaken and shink the size. This procedure may also help those who suffer from migraine headaches caused by stress and teeth grinding as it reduces the overall tension of the face.

The facial treatment is on another level. I wish I had asked how much it's worth per session. The steps were numerous but carefully done.

I also noticed how soft and delicate the movements of the Korean beauty attendant are. In Filipino term, we call it "magaan ang kamay".

NO MAKEUP GLASS SKIN LOOK! My eyebrows and lips got erased but my skin got noticeably smoother and lighter after just 1 session. I also noticed my jaws looked chiseled.

Irene of Beautemedix was the one who contacted me for this partnership. Though I did not undergo any plastic surgery treatments at View Plastic Surgery, she was still very warm and friendly. She took care of me and assisted me although out my stay in Korea in 2017.

Overall, I feel glad I was able to have this once in a lifetime experience in Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea.
Do I regret my decision? To be honest, there are times when I would fit some swimwears and sexy tops and wish I had gone through breast enhancement. *hehe* It has been one of my wishes to have bigger and fuller boobs so I'd have better curves. But whenever I'm reminded that rejecting the offer to alter my face or body might inspire more kids, teens, women, lgbtq people and even men... the desire disappears. For now, I'm happy I could wear padded bras and push my breasts a little to create a sexier curve. hehe

Here's my face 2 days after having facial treatment and botox. Generally, cold weather makes the skin look smoother and less oily, I did notice that the texture of my skin improved. The pores appeared a tad smaller and I was able to get by the entire day without retouching my powder. Really, starting your look with a great "skin canvass" does wonders. As for the botox, I noticed my face structure became prominent and chiseled. Botox only lasts up to 6 months so my face is back to it's normal structure as I'm writing this blog post in 2019.

Here's a selfie of me infront of SM Entertainment in Gangnam.

Here's a selfie of me infront of the old Bighit Entertainment building in Seoul.

Here's a selfie of me just being joyful I'm actually in Seoul!!

As always, my goal is to inspire others through my life stories and experiences. Hope this one is for the books!

If you want to check out Beautemedix and get their assistance with plastic surgery in South Korea, you may check their website HERE. Please take note that they do not offer free surgery to clients rather offer concierge service for plastic surgery in Korea.

If you like this post and would like to see more of my posts and videos about K-pop and my trips to Korea, be sure to visit and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel for my Korea vlogs!

FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

BTS KPOP MERCH from DIVISORIA (Okay ba bumili sa Divi?!)

2019-01-22T19:26:00.001+08:00

One of the things a K-pop fan likes to collect is K-pop merch. I've been to Korea and I've seen how affordable and carefully done the merches that they sell there are. But who has the time (and the money) to go all the way to Korea to buy K-pop merch? Good thing, you could buy some at Divisoria!

From clothes, to shoes, to school supplies, to wedding gowns, to cheap vegetables, Divisoria has it all. Now, they even have K-pop merch!! Ahhh. That only means one thing - TIPID MODE on!

Just be wary, though, because you can not get these merch everywhere in Divi. Sad, I know. But upon going through almost the entire Divi, I found only 1 store that sells different sorts of K-pop stuff.

WHERE TO BUY K-POP MERCH in DIVISORIA- 168 Mall, 1st floor, Pasilio 1J

Also a heads up that the Asian seller there is not as friendly as other sellers in Divisoria. But if you really want that BTS poster or that Jungkook post card, then I am sure a couple of side-eyes from the seller won't hurt you. *hehe*

WATCH MY VIDEO to see all the BTS K-pop merch I got from Divisoria!

One thing I noticed about these merch is that they are almost similar to the unofficial K-pop merch I saw in Myeongdong, Korea.

And the best part? All of the stuff I got didn't even come to Php 1,000!! YES FOR TIPID!!

Though, I know some fans feel ashamed to buy "unofficial" merch that are not released by Bighit Entertainment. That or they are ashamed their co-fans will think their stuff is "cheap" and "baduy". To be honest, I think having the "official" merch is a plus since you are actually supporting the group and their company. But what if you don't have the budget for the pricey official merchandises? I say, screw what other people have to say! Go and head over to Divi now for you dose of BTS merch. I promise, they really look similar to the ones I saw in Myeongdong and in Hongdae!

If you like this post and would like to see more of my posts and videos about K-pop and my trips to Korea, be sure to visit and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel for my Korea vlogs!

FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

MY CHRISTMAS 2018 ROUND-UP ❤

2019-01-18T18:29:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year! Would you believe 2018 flew by just like that and now it's already 2019? Anyway, Christmas is one of, if not the most, busiest seasons in the Philippines. Before we truly forget the year that passed-by, let me share a round-up of my Christmas 2018.

Do you cook food for Noche Buena or do you prefer to have your food bought or delivered? No matter what your choice is, I believe Christmas food is the best when you eat it with your family and with your friends.

As for my family and I, we prefer to shop and cook our own food for Noche Buena. Here's our NOCHE BUENA Haul!

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Aside from malls and groceries, one of the places that gets really busy and crowded during Christmas season is DIVISORIA. Things from Divisoria may be cheap, but like what people always say, it's the thought that counts.

Watch our Divisoria Christmas shopping plus my Haul at the end of the video.

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Do you remember how you used to get literally a sack full of gifts when you were younger? I do remember it, too. Sad but true, as we get a bit older our sack of gifts gets less and less full. But that doesn't mean the excitement of opening the gifts gets less exciting, right?

Here is my collective haul of all the things I got for Christmas!

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Last thing that we like to do during this festive season is to go out with our family and friends. Where do you usually go? As for me and my family, we often go to places that have amazing Christmas lights show. The best part about our choice of places? They're always for free!

Watch my vlog at the Liwanag Christmas Park. They are closed by now but they open yearly so be sure to visit this coming December 2019!

Christmas celebrations don't have to be lavish and expensive, don't you agree? Sometimes, the best things are those that almost come for FREE.

Belated Merry Christmas to all my loyal BLOG READERS! I also wish for you to have an amazing and fruitful 2019!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

PINOY SNACKS and CANDIES FROM THE 90s! | CHICHIRYA MUKBANG

2019-01-16T15:28:00.002+08:00

What's your fondest memory of your childhood? Mine, though a little unhealthy, is munching on 90's popular snacks! Pritos Ring, Sweet corn, Rinbee, Nutri Star, Tomi, Humpy Dumpy and so on! One day, I was at a grocery and saw a bunch of chichirya from my childhood so I decided to film a fun 90s chichirya mukbang video.

But first, what is MUKBANG? Mukbang or MEOK-BANG comes from two Korean words "MEOKDA" meaning to eat and "BANGSONG" meaning broadcast. It is a live or taped online broadcast in which a person eats large amounts of food while interacting with audience. The term and the concept originated from South Korea starting 2010.

Now that you are aware of the meaning of the term, let me show you some of the snacks I have.

I just want to note that eating oily, fatty and salty food, especially if consumed in large amounts, is not good for your health. If you binge-eat chips, at least do it once in a while. If you can't stop your craving, at least drink lots of water after so the salt gets washed out from your body. Be sure to also eat healthy food like fruits and vegetables.

WATCH MY VIDEO for a trip down memory lane ala 90s CHICHIRYA!

I'm a bit sad I wasn't to find Pritos Ring. Did they stop manufacturing it? Sad because that was really of the chips I enjoyed eating when I was a kid. I remember buying a small pouch of it for only Php 1. Yes, PISO!

How about you? What is your fondest memory of your childhood? We'd love to hear your story by commenting it below!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SEOUL : HOTEL vs AIRBNB vs HOSTEL (Complete Guide!)

2019-01-14T16:37:00.003+08:00

So, you're planning to go to Korea but having a hard time choosing the perfect accommodation? Should you pick an airbnb or a hotel? Is it better to stay in Myeongdong, in Gangnam or in Hongdae? It's so hard to decide!! Really, where is the best place to stay in Korea?!

THIS BLOG POST IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE! I've been to South Korea twice and have stayed at different accommodations so I will be able to give you an overview, the pros and cons and my personal experiences staying at every sort of accommodations there. This blog post may be long but you will surely get a lot of tips for your South Korea trip!

The places that are mentioned on this blog post are AIRBNB, HIGH-END HOTEL, HOSTEL / DORMITORY and AFFORDABLE HOTEL. Let's start!

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AIRBNB near GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE

Name of Place : COOL CUTE 74 MYEONGDONG AIRBNB

Location : 604 Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-111, South Korea

Price : PHP 2,600 PER NIGHT

MY EXPERIENCE
Period of Stay : 3 NIGHTS
When did I stay : November 2017
Total amount of bill : Php 11,630.55
Booked via : Airbnb app
Places nearby : Cheonggyecheon Stream, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Nearest subway station : Jonggak Station

On my first time in Seoul, I wanted to stay somewhere nice, clean, cute and accessible. Since it was my first time, I was oblivious of the places and prices. I didn't know much about Seoul accommodations. All I knew back then was that I was excited to finally go to Korea and I wanted a nice place to complete my first-time-in-Korea experience.

I've been hearing a lot of stories about Airbnb's and how affordable and accessible they are. Hence, I decided to book this place via Airbnb's app. The selling factor for me was the location. On the website, it says it's just a few blocks away from Cheonggyecheon Stream. I thought staying near the stream is good timing since Seoul Lantern Festival is also happening around the same time as my trip.

What I liked about the place upon my arrival was that it was spacious! I was alone when I arrived in Korea so I found the place really big. It has a 5-door cabinet that can be seen upon entering the door. Inside it are some clothes hanger, a clothes iron, ironing board and some used umbrellas that you may use, too. It is located along a small corridor that leads to the bathroom. I find this a nice feature of the place, especially if you will be traveling with your family or friends as you'd have separate place for your luggages, shoes, coats and clothes. This will keep the entire place looking clean and organized.

If you keep waling, you will see the small bathroom next. Though, I was a bit turned-off at how simple-looking and small the bathroom is, compared to the overall design and size of the place.

Towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissue, soap, shampoo, conditioner and hair dryer are provided, I find the bathroom oddly small. There is a see-through partition but the water still gets through it when you take a bath, therefore making the whole bathroom wet and slippery.

Keep walking and you will see the kitchen and the bed area. The place has open concept so you see everything the moment you walk in, Do you see the pink wall? You guessed it right! That's 70% the reason why I booked this place. IG worthy!

Kidding aside, this airbnb has everything you will need, especially if you will be staying for days, or even weeks! There's refrigerator, microwave oven and 2-burner stove. Inside the cabinets are pots and pans, knife, places, cups, spoon and fork sets and other stuff. There's not a lot of condiments but I saw a bottle of olive oil and a soy sauce. Kettle is also provided plus a table and 2 chairs.

This is the view from the room. I also appreciate the big mirror they placed that you could use to check out your "#OOTD in Korea" before heading out of the place.

Remember when I said this place is great if you are travelling as a group? Aside from the double-size bed, the couch also transforms into a bed where 2 more people could sleep. I checked inside the cabinets and saw 2 extra comforters.

One of the best parts about actually being in Korea, aside from going around, is going home and turning on the TV and watching LEGIT Korean shows...RAW! No subtitles because we are hardcore Koreaboos like that! (Just kidding) But really, I find it a joy to watch Korean shows in Korea. It's a great feeling that I'm watching the shows the same time as it is being aired right in Korea.

Trivia : I was alone and I AM SCARED to sleep alone at hotels. I stayed in this place for 3 nights. The first night, I had to force myself to sleep but wasn't able to do so until 2 AM. The succeeding nights, I switched the TV to local Korean TV shopping channels and left it on until the morning. It helped ease my worry as it felt like I wasn't alone since people on TV were talking. However, switching the TV to dramas don't do the same thing. I really find TV shopping channels in Korea as my best scare-reliever.

Aside from the TV with cable, there's also free Wi-Fi, phone charger for android, and a socket adapter.

Aside from the other kitchen appliances, you will greatly appreciate the washing machine in the place. Inside the cabinet is a big box of washing machine detergent that you could use. My greatest tip for people traveling to Korea, especially in Autumn and in Winter, is to NOT BRING A LOT OF CLOTHES! First, clothes in Korea are extremely trendy and unbelievably affordable. Second, washing machines in airbnbs and hotels are common so you could just wash your already-worn clothes. Third, bring less and shop more! Save that luggage space for Myeongdong, my friend!

Another great thing about this place is the FREE WI-FI EGG!! I kid you not, this thing saved my life in Korea!! As a first-timer, you won't really know much about the place so having a portable internet is really something you need to have. You may bring this router outside the airbnb. Just be sure you don't break it, don't misplace it and leave it there upon your checkout. The internet connection it provides is no joke! It was super fast!!! Hah, you really must experience how fast internet connection in Korea is at least once in your life.

THINGS I LIKED : First of all, I loved the overall design of the place. The moment I booked it, I knew I was going to blog it. The place is so Instagram-able. Next thing I like was that it was really situated close to Cheonggyecheon Stream. My trip was the same time as the Seoul Lantern Festival so I was there almost every night. It's only 2 minute walk from this place. If you are into drinking, karaoke and late-night events, this place is situated along the "drinking" streets of Jongno-gu. You could go out at 12 AM and still have places to go to while seeing oppas and unnies around. You also won't have to worry about getting hungry as there are lots of restaurants and convenience stores around the place. The best part? It's only 1 block away from Jonggak subway station. In my experience, Jonggak subway station is one of the easiest stations to take as stairs are not too steep and the exit from the train to the main road exit will only take about 2 minutes.

THINGS I DID NOT LIKE : The price, OMG!! Since it was my first time, I really had zero information about the acceptable prices of hotels and hostels in Seoul. Aside from the base fee of Php Php 2,600 per night, I had to pay additional Php 2,089 for the "cleaning fee" and Php 1,287 for the "service fee". I almost asked the owner of the place if I could just clean the place on my own so I won't have to pay extra Php 2,089. Kidding aside, I left the place sparkly clean. The photos posted on this blog post are exactly how I left the place as I took the photos an hour before my checkout.

BOOK HERE : If you want to book this place, click here.
(This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Airbnb in any way)

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HIGH-END HOTEL near HAN RIVER / ITAEWON

Name of Place : GRAND MERCURE HOTEL (Seoul Dragon City)
Location : 95 Cheongpa-ro 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price : Php 11,000 PER NIGHT

MY EXPERIENCE
Period of stay : 5 NIGHTS
When did I stay : November 2017
Total amount of bill : around Php 50,000
Booked via : *sponsored by CHARIS* (click CHARIS to find out more)
Places nearby : Itaewon, Han River, Gangnam
Nearest subway station : Yongsan Station

Seoul Dragon City is located in Yongsan-gu and is a hotel complex where different hotels like the Grand Mercure Hotel, Novotel and Ibis Styles are located. Where I stayed at, Grand Mercure Hotel, is best for people who prefer upscale living in Seoul. It is also situated near the business district so it's the perfect place if you are going to Seoul for a business trip or a corporate event.

My stay at the Grand Mercure Hotel was sponsored by CHARIS, a Korean-based beauty community for online content creators like me. They are also sort of an online shop where beauty enthusiasts could get their hands on exclusive and hard-to-find Korean beauty, skin care and makeup products. CLICK HERE and follow my Charis account for more information.

I didn't know what to expect when I first agreed to come to Korea for this sponsorship. All I knew was that I was finally going to Korea. Hence, I was mind-blown when I got to Seoul Dragon City. Everything seems luxurious, it felt like I was in a Korea drama or something. Oh, matter of fact, on my second day of stay at the Seoul Dragon City, I happen to have an encounter with Super Junior's Choi Siwon who was filming a drama at the lobby of Seoul Dragon City!

I was not able to take a lot of photos of inside my room but I stayed at a 1-King Bed Junior Suite. May I say that my room screamed luxury the moment I went in. From personal wine chiller, clothes washer, own kitchen with complete appliances, king-sized bed, huge television, couch, an android phone with data connection that you could use and bring outside, a marble bathroom to a really luxurious heated toilet seat!!

These are all of the luggages that I brought with me to Seoul. Please don't ask me why. *hehe* Those are 2 15-kilo luggages but they seemed so small against the spacious floors of the room.

If you like city view, you get a city view! I was not able to capture it in my photo but on the left side of the photo is Namsan Tower.

Although, I was a bit disappointed that there is no bathtub in the room, I was still happy about the heated toilet seat!!! You know, the one that heats up so you could do your thing even on a cold winter day. You could also choose to wash "it" using different types of bidets and sprinklers. Oh, and a dryer for "it", too.

The mirror in the bathroom looks fancy, thanks to the seamless light.

On the day I was checking out of this hotel, my *ex* boyfriend followed me to Korea all the way from Manila. I was happy he also got to experience the luxurious room even for just a few hours. Anyway, here is the view of the room from other side.

These gifts aren't standard welcome gifts. Rather, they were welcome gifts prepared by the staff of Charis. How thoughtful!

I really wasn't going to blog this hotel so I did not take a lot of photos. This is a screencap from one of the videos I took inside the room. To the far right is the door leading to the hallway, then the wine chiller, the clothes washer and dryer, a personal cabinet with full-size mirror, the door to the bathroom and then right in front of the bed is the giant television. In the photo, the bed seems small but it's actually huge in real life. In front of me is a cleopatra couch and then the window.

THINGS I LIKE : First of all, I liked that I was able to have a brief encounter with a Kpop star during my stay at the Grand Mercure Hotel. While it's difficult to chance upon celebrities here in the Philippines, it's even more difficult to see Korean celebs in Korea. Aside from that, I really liked the size of the bedroom I stayed at. The bed was huge, high and extremely comfortable. The room is luxurious but not overly done. I also like that the hotel is near Itaewon and Gangnam.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE : The price of the hotel, especially if you convert it to Philippine money, may be a turn off. While I believe nothing beats the comfort of staying at a high-end hotel, I also believe that saving a few bucks and staying at a more affordable hotel is the better option since you will be out of the hotel most of the time anyway.

BOOK HERE : If you want to book this place, click here.
(This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Grand Mercure Hotel in any way)

* * *

AFFORDABLE HOTEL near INSADONG

Name of Place : ICON HOTEL
Location : 20 Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-340, South Korea
Price : PHP 1,570 PER NIGHT

MY EXPERIENCE
Period of Stay : 8 nights
When did I stay : November 2018
Total amount of bill : Php 14,712.87
Booked via : Airbnb app
Places nearby : Artsy cafes and local restaurants in Jongno-gu
Nearest subway station : Anguk Station

UPDATE 2020 :

I went back to this affordable hotel in October 2019 and I found out the owner changed from Korean to now Thailander or Chinese. This place isn't what it used to be when I first came in 2018. The place is now messy, the staff are unfriendly, the bed covers are dirty, the staff aren't Korean anymore and barely speak English, you can't do your laundry, the rooftop has become a smoking area and the bed foam has bed bugs!

I don't want to remove this from this post as this serves as a memory. But I do not recommend staying at this place anymore. I still recommend staying at Ikseon-dong (where this hotel is near), so I suggest finding better places in the same area. :)

On my second time in Korea, I finally knew that the interior and the expensiveness of the accommodation aren't really important. Because the most important factors are really : comfort and cleanliness, value for money, accessibility from and to public transportation and the location.

I was going to stay in Korea for 15 days so I wanted to be able to save as much money as I could. Knowing that accommodation is one of the most-pricey parts of travelling, I decided to stay in a place that's decent but at a very reasonable price.

From Incheon airport, my companion and I decided to take the train going to Icon Hotel. We arrived Incheon International Airport at around 12 noon. But because of our heavy luggages, inability to connect to the internet and lack-luster knowledge about Korean subway system, we got to Icon Hotel at around 4:30 PM!! We also didn't know we were supposed to go to the hotel from Anguk Station. We ended up getting off at Jongno-3 Station. It's quite a challenge to find the hotel from there. Good thing, Icon Hotel noted that one of their landmarks is the Ibis hotel, which could be seen from the subway station.

This is Icon Hotel's lobby. Nothing fancy or luxurious. But if you are travelling to Korea to collect memories and not to splurge on hotels and accommodations, then you may really want to consider staying here.

My companion and I booked a 2-single beds room. Nothing fancy inside the room. But what stood out the most was the cleanliness of the place. You won't feel scared to move around as the whole place looks well-maintained, the floors free from dust and the walls look like they were freshly painted. Another thing that caught my attention was the scent of the entire place. They put perfumes in either lavender or cherry scent which smells very homey and welcoming at the same time. That's one of the things I loved every time I came back from a tiring day.

If you are worrying that the place would be too small, my friend, you don't know what small is until you've stayed at tiny "hotel" rooms in Hong-Kong. I've been to Hong-Kong twice and have stayed twice at midget rooms in Tsim Sha Tsui where staying with another person and then opening your luggage in the room is almost impossible. This room in Icon Hotel actually exceeded my expectation. In the photos that they have on their Airbnb account, one would think that their rooms are tight. At least, that's what I prepared my mind for. But when we got in, I was surprised at how spacious it was. There's even a 2-door cabinet with hangers and clothes iron inside. There's also a mini-ref, a full-body mirror, a decent-sized bathroom and a space for me and my companion to lay and open our luggages both at the same time and still have the luxury to walk around and move around!

Inside the bedroom, there's a 19-inch television mounted on the wall, a kettle, 2 sets of cups and saucers, some coffee and tea sachets, a mini refrigerator with 2 bottles of waters inside, hair dryer and local landline phone are all provided. Water heater is available plus 2 sets of towels, a tiny soap and shampoo and body wash. Though, for me, the best part about this place is the built-in ONDOL (온돌). Ondol in traditional architecture is underfloor heating that uses direct heat transfer from wood smoke to heat the underside of a think masonry floor. In modern time, it refers to any type of underfloor heating.

Have you ever stayed at a place where the floor IS the heater? I bet it's warm and cozy to sleep on the floor during cold winter nights with the ondol turned on. It was close to winter during my stay so I always had the floor heating to at least 30 degrees. If you like to experience the cold nights in Seoul but get cold easily, you will really appreciate the ondol system as it keeps the entire room warm and cozy.

This is the pantry section of Icon Hotel. Quite small, in my opinion, but guests could use it whatever time of the day, even until midnight. There are kettles, microwave oven, television and kitchen appliances in case you want to have a late night Korean ramyeon + Korean drama moment.

Another thing that's good about this place is the free breakfast. Though, it is incomparable to breakfast at high-end hotels and buffet restaurants, the food they serve is still decent and enough to keep you warm and full until lunch time.

This is the standard breakfast that they serve. I stayed at their place for 8 days and the menu didn't change a bit. It was like that the entire time. But the food was tasty and fresh. They serve hard-boiled eggs which I often put in my pocket and eat later in the day.

If you want a Korean "chicken and beer" or "soju and samgyeop night" ala Korean drama, Icon Hotel also has a roof deck that is open everyday until 11PM. From there, you get a fine skyline view of Seoul. Though it's chilly, especially in winter, it's still fun to have an option aside from your rented bedroom.

This is how the reception looks.

At the reception, guests could sign on their guest board. For me, it's amazing to see people from different parts of the globe stay at the same place. It's like breaking boarders and showing unity, don't you think?

What I like most about this hotel is the quiet environment. If you want serene moments, this place is perfect for that. During my stay, the environment was peaceful and quiet the entire time. I did not hear a single dog bark, car horn, people shouting, motorcycle engine, or any unwanted noise. I found it really relaxing and peaceful. The hotel lucked out with their location as it's really peaceful, something guests would really appreciate if they stay here.

THINGS I LIKE : There are many things I liked about this place. First of all, I am in love with the idea of staying in a quiet neighborhood where it feels like you are a local than a tourist. Some tourists prefer staying at "lively" places like Myeongdong or Hongdae. It's fun at first, but staying at places like this lets you experience the life of being a local in Korea. I also liked that I was able to do the laundry here, though I had to hang the clothes since they don't have a drier. The staff was also nice, warm and friendly. The room where we stayed is pretty spacious for it's price and it's really clean. I also loved the floor heating system which allowed me to sleep comfortably at night.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE : The only thing that turned me off about this place is the distance from the hotel to the subway station. You could either take Anguk Station or Jongno-3ga Station but neither is near nor convenient. Unlike my favorite Jonggak Station that is situated close to hostels and airbnb's and where stairs aren't steep and walk doesn't have to be long, Anguk and Jongno station are both far, the stairs are steep and the walk from the actual train to the exit of the station will take few minutes of walk. From either Anguk or Jongno station exit, it's another long walk to get to the hotel. It's really bothersome to take that route every single day, in my opinion.

BOOK HERE : If you want to book this place, click here.
(This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Airbnb in any way)

* * *

HOSTEL near CHEONGGYECHEON STREAM

Name of Place : HARU HOSTEL
Location : 20 Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-340, South Korea
Price : Php 1,700 PER NIGHT and Php 1,500 PER NIGHT

MY EXPERIENCE
Period of Stay : 3 Nights + 3 Nights (Total of 6 nights)
When did I stay : November 2018
Total amount of bill : Php 5.848 and Php 5,608
Booked via : Airbnb app and Agoda app
Places nearby : Cheonggyecheon Stream, Insadong, Bukchon Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Nearest subway station : Jonggak Station

Just like the first ever accommodation I have stayed at in Seoul (mentioned on the first part of this blog), this hostel is situated right in front of Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is an 11km long modern stream that runs through downtown Seoul. It is created as part of an urban renewal project and now one of the main tourist attractions in Seoul. It is spectacle all year round but especially beautiful during Seoul Lantern Festival as different lanterns and light displays light up the stream. It can be enjoyed for at least 2 weeks during the festival. I was lucky enough to have experienced the lantern festival on my first and second time in Seoul.

What makes this place really special is that it is RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STREAM! When you go out of the building, you will be right in front of the stream.

I stayed at this hotel for 6 nights in total but had 2 different bookings as I went to Busan in between. I was able to try 2 different rooms : 1 6-bed sharing room and 1 4-bed sharing room. But before we get to the rooms, these are some of the shared spaces in the hostel.

DINING AREA.

Breakfast is free and I like that the food they serve is sumptuous. They have 2 types of cereals, 3 types of breads, 2 types of juices, 2 types of bread spreads, coffee, fruits, salad, and eggs that you can cook on your own.

Though they don't really change the menu, I was able to enjoy the same food combo every morning . The dining area is located on the 10th floor of the building but if you look out the window while eating, you'll have a nice birds-eye view of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. I usually skip breakfast at hotels since I prefer sleeping in or doing my makeup. But I never skipped breakfast in this hostel because I was always excited to eat while seeing the nice view of the stream.

Another nice thing about this place is the FREE LAUNDRY! Like what I've mentioned earlier, I really encourage tourist to bring less clothes when travelling. You could either go shopping in Myeongdong and Hongdae.. or you could take advantage of the free laundry! You just have to do it on your own but I find it really convenient. I was able to use it for 3 times during my 6 nights stay! They provide detergent and also have a drier so you won't have to worry about hanging your clothes.

Another tip I like to give out is to bring an external hard drive rather than bringing your laptop. On my first time in Seoul, I brought my laptop and I found it really inconvenient having to take my laptop around and worrying I might break it or misplace it. I only brought my laptop so I could transfer all my raw video and photo files... This year, I realized it's best to bring an external hard drive to transfer videos and photos. Hostel Haru has an in house computer that you could use for surfing the internet, making online bookings for tickets and transferring your videos and photos. I only don't like that the computer is in Korean language therefore making it difficult for foreigners to use it.

Now, let's get to the bedrooms! I booked 2 different rooms : 1 6-bed sharing room booked via Airbnb and 1 4-bed sharing room booked via Agoda.

* * *

6 BED DORMITORY
Price per night : Php 1,700
Total bill : Php 5,848
Period of stay : 3 nights
Booked via : Airbnb

It was my first time to stay at a hostel so I didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be as comfortable as staying at a regular hotel. Turned out, it's totally different. Aside from being in the same room as strangers, it's also quite uncomfortable to move around as you have to consider other people who may be sleeping or may be sensitive to noise.

Staying at a hotel doesn't guarantee you get a comfortable bed. In my situation, I got a top-level bed, which in my opinion, is inconvenient especially if you have a lot of stuff or frequent the bathroom.

Speaking of the bathroom, here's how it looks :

During my stay, I did not experience the bathroom become crowded. Maybe because I woke up late and my roommates always left early. Oh, towels, toothbrush and toothpaste are provided but I don't like the size of the towels that they provide. They are super tiny and won't even dry your entire body plus your hair. However, they change it everyday, I guess that's to compensate? I hope they could change it to a bigger size in the future. Or if you would like to stay here, perhaps you could bring your own body towel.

The shower room is also a shared space as it is divided into two so 2 people could shower at the same time. If you think that's awkward, you could close the curtain so you get some privacy.

THINGS I LIKE : Honestly, I really don't have a lot of things I like about this 6 bed dormitory.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE : A LOT. I got a top-level bed which was close to the heater. I come from the Philippines where it's always warm and sunny. One of the reasons I went to Korea in Winter was so I could enjoy some chilly nights. My bed was extremely hot and I am not even exaggerating. Maybe my roommates at that time are used to chilly nights so they prefer blasting heater. But the heat was uncomfortably hot! Another thing I don't like about this 6-bed room is the absence of natural light. It has a tiny window that is almost the size of a shoe box that's why sunlight can't come in. Oh, I also don't like that they don't have bidet or faucet in the toilet! How do other people even wash after pooping? I have no answer.

BOOK HERE : If you want to book this place, click here.
(This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Airbnb in any way)

* * *

4 BED DORMITORY
Price per night : Php 1,500
Total bill : Php 5,608
Period of stay : 3 nights
Booked via : Agoda

I was relieved when I came back to Seoul from Busan and was shown this room. Aside from the spacious room and the fact that I will only share this room with 3 people, I LOVED the huge window that lets the sunlight inside. I love sunlight because it provides a happier vibe to a place. It also gets me excited to leave the hotel/hostel every morning as I get to peep outside upon waking up.

This is how the room looks upon entering the door. The bed that I got is finally on the bottom-level. It is the bed on the lower left of the photo.

From my bed, this is what I see. I really love the placement of the beds as it gives each of the guests space to move around and a little bit of privacy. There's also a table and some chairs in the middle, though I'm wondering why there are only 3 chairs...

From the window, this is what you'll see. The bed with the open curtain is the bed that I got! At first, I was worried that it's right next to the bathroom door. But during my stay, luckily, I only had 1 roommate that always goes to bed early and leaves the dorm early as well. During my 3 nights of stay, it felt like I was alone in the bedroom.

Another great thing about this 4-bed room is the spacious bathroom! If 4 people were to get ready in the morning all at the same time, they won't have a problem as the space is enough and the mirror is huge! It also has a window that lets natural light come in. Perfect for doing your makeup! The refrigerator, however, is inside this bathroom but I did not see any problem with that.

The toilet and the shower are separated and unlike the 6-bed sharing, this 4-bed sharing only has 1 shower room. Body wash, shampoo and conditioner are provided. However, the toilet still does not have bidet nor a faucet... Do people really not wash when they poop? Is it only Filipinos that do that? I sincerely want to know...

THINGS I LIKE : A LOT! If I had not stayed in this 6-bed room, I will never go back to this hotel on my next trips to Korea. But since I got to experience a more comfortable room, I think I will be coming back here. Though, it is still a bit uncomfortable to share a room with others, it's a little better with less people. I loved the window that provides sunlight in the morning. I also loved the spacious bathroom, where I always open plastics and pack my bags and luggage so I don't disturb my roommate. Oh, did you know that though this room is more comfortable and more spacious, it is cheaper than the 6-bed room? Maybe Airbnb rates are higher because I booked this via Agoda.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE : There's not a lot of things I don't like about this room. Maybe if I was given another top-level bed, I would say I don't like that it's uncomfortable. But since I got a bed on the lower-level, there's really nothing much that I did not like.

BOOK HERE : If you want to book this place, click here.
(This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Agoda in any way)

* * *

To see more of this hostel experience in Seoul, be sure to watch my VLOG below :

Here is another shared space in the hostel. The dining and the reception of this hotel are on the 10th floor while the rooms and this lounge are on the 11th floor. It's very chill and relaxing to stay here. During my 6 nights of stay, I was the only one who used this lounge. I used it while I are snacks, wrote on my diary, updated my Instagram, or just enjoyed the skyline view.

I also stayed in this lounge while watching the first snow fall of 2018 in Seoul. The huge windows made it easier for me to see the snow fall in different angles and locations.

Another thing to note about this hostel is that the staff are strict. At first, it was a bit off. But as I stayed, I saw that being strict actually helps them control and safety and serenity of the place. The rooms are clean and the shared places and hallways are quiet.

Overall, this is a nice place to stay if you are looking for an affordable place that is near the subway station, clean and safe and if like me, you are also afraid to sleep alone at hotels and airbnbs. The location is also a plus point since it's just 2 minutes away from Jonggak Subway station, which for me is one of the most convenient subway stations in Seoul.

* * *

I hope you were able to decide where to stay on your next trip to Seoul. If you want to see more of my Korea trips and watch my other Korea-related videos, be sure to visit and subscribe to MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

I WENT TO ADAMSON UNIVERSITY AND DID THIS... | Campus Talk

2019-01-03T10:00:00.000+08:00

One of the things I love doing the most is conducting talks and personality developments speeches at schools and universities. I can't stress enough how empowering and humbling it makes me feel to share my knowledge and my experiences to the youth that will be our future teachers, accountants, engineers, business owners, professionals, artists, etc. Compared to speaking in front of already-established professionals, speaking in front of students give me a sense of accomplishment knowing I will somehow be a part of the people and mentors that taught and inspired them along the way.

I was invited to conduct a talk at Adamson University in Manila a couple of months ago. It was my first time inside their campus so I was even more excited!

I was invited to be their guest speaker to talk about 'VIRALITY IN COMMUNICATION" and generally, my life as a YouTube Vlogger, how it all started and the struggles I faced along the way. As one of the pioneers of YouTube vlogging in the Philippinies, I am happy how far YouTube has come in the Philippines. When I started in 2011, people would often be unacquainted with the term"vlogger". I used to get a lot of stares and side-eyes when I vlogged in public places. 7 years later, even universities hold talks and seminars on becoming a "vlogger". I am trully overwhelmed!

While I'm on it, I went ahead and vlogged my experience at Adamson University.
Watch the VLOG below to see my adventure!

I am really thankful that I get invited to events like this. There is nothing more I want than to be able to inspire the youth with my stories.

Take a quick look inside Adamson University through my photos below! :)

My goal this 2019 is to be able to get invited to more universities and reach out to more youth and teens. If your campus organization or department is looking for a guest speaker, please don't hesitate to contact me via my e-mail posted above.

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

THIS IS WHY I LOVE ROSEGAL! | Clothes Haul & Try-On

2019-01-01T20:13:00.002+08:00

Do you love shopping for clothes but can't seem to find the time to actually go to the mall? Thankfully, almost anything can be done now using the internet, even shopping! I often post shopping haul videos of items that I got from Rosegal.com.

Though I have the time to actually go out and shop for clothes, sometimes I find it convenient to shop online. I like that when see something nice and when I need a specific item for an event, I could just search the net for the item and actually order it, no matter what time or day it is.

I also like Rosegal because their items are not as expensive as other online shops. They also deliver the items straight to my home and I love that the items often arrive exactly as how I imagined them from the online photos. The sizes of their items are also pretty accurate.

To see all the items I got from Rosegal, be sure to watch my HAUL VIDEO :

If there is just one thing that I don't like, it's that their items always run out of stock pretty fast. There was a pair of glittery boots that I order a month ago but I ordered size 38 instead of size 37. The boots is unbelievably gorgeous in person but I can't wear it since it's too big on me. I tried ordering it on Rosegal again but it's already out of stock. :(

I hope you enjoyed this haul video!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

I SOLD MY MAKEUP... AGAIN! (Manila Sundance Bazaar 2018)

2018-12-06T11:02:00.000+08:00

Last time, I joined Bloggers United where I was able to acquire money that I used for my dog's stone surgery. I was thankful that though I let go of my stuff, the money that I got from it saved the life of my most loved dog, Fluffy!

This time, I joined Manila Sundance Bazaar for yet another makeup and skin care destash and resell!

I have honestly been aiming to let go of my unused and new makeup. But since I haven't done a proper, extensive makeup collection video yet, letting go of them has been very difficult.

The easiest for me to let go are the skin care products. I have acne-prone skin so I'm always scared to try each and every product I get. I keep the boxes and bottles unopened if I know I would only use the item once. I want my buyers to not only save money when they buy from me but I also want them to get quality stuff.

I also make sure that none of the items I sell are expired or broken.

To see how I choose which items to sell and how I pack them for a bazaar, be sure to watch the video below!

Manila Sundance Bazaar always holds events like this at different places and various malls. The one that I participated in was last October 4, 5 and 6, 2018 at the Megatrade Hall 1 in SM Megamall in Ortigas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KRISTINE ROCES (@realasianbeauty) on Oct 13, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

I did not vlog because I want to be able to focus on the bazaar and maybe have a chit-chat with my buyers. I sold various stuff from my pre-loved clothes, to brand new makeup, unused skin care items, bags to food such as my Mom's Yema Spread business and some trendy food like dream cake and gourmet tuyo. Now that's what we call a sari-sari store!

I just really hope brands that send me free stuff don't get mad or offended when they see me sell their stuff. I mean, I sell them at 50%-70% OFF! Also, not because I sell something doesn't mean I don't like it or it's not good and effective. Sometimes I sell an item when I feel like I want other people who need it more than I do to be able to get it at a discounted price.

My favorite part about bazaars like this is that followers and buyers get to save money from buying my brand new and discounted items and then I also get to meet the faces behind the names that watch, click and like my posts on the internet. *hehe*

These are the girls I was with the whole 3-day bazaar! I thank them for being with me!

Some Fluffies also went out of their way and accompanied me at the booth. Shoutout to Anna and Klyde for hanging out at the booth and keeping me company!

It's cute how we made friends with the sellers in front of our booth. This is Aiko of RMK online shop. I love being with people like her who are always bubbly, jolly and funny! It was also cute how she bought a lot of items from my booth while my friends and I also bought items from their booth! *haha*

It was a long, tiring day but always worth it in the end especially when I'm given sincere smiles and hugs!

I was not able to take a photo with each and every person who went to my bazaar. Here are the few ones I was able to quickly snap.

I would like to thank all the people who went to the bazaar. I really appreciate that you took the time to drop by. I remember 1 person even came all the way from Laguna! It was also cute how some girls went with their BF or Husband. (Wow, sana all may love life! hehe)

I never really expect anything when I hold meet-ups like this. But just to show gratitude, I post the gifts and letters that I get. Here are sweet gifts and notes given to me that day. I really appreciate "DIY" gifts the most. Why? Because for me DIYs are equivalent to giving someone your time. Because when you make something from scratch, you spend your precious time creating it. Hence, it comes with love and sincere intention. I am not saying bought and ready-made gifts are not sincere. I guess I'm just trying to tell you guys that you really don't have to give me anything bought or expensive. Even if it's just a small note, I will greatly appreciate it! So, thank you so much for these!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KRISTINE ROCES (@realasianbeauty) on Oct 15, 2018 at 3:08am PDT

One of the most memorable gifts from that day was these packed lunch boxes inspired from K-pop. If you are not familiar, Kpop fans prepare and gift their idols packed lunch, especially if the group is currently busy doing song promos, long shoots and participating at an event.

These lunch boxes were given by my follower, Klyde!

I hope you enjoyed reading this! Don't forget to comment below and I will try my best to get back to you the soonest!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

Filipino Favorite : JOLLIBEE MUKBANG!!

2018-11-25T21:00:00.000+08:00

Is there ever a person born from 1978 onward who did not grow up eating and craving Jollibee? No, this is not a sponsored post. But seriously, who doesn't love it? As a K-pop fan, I am low-key proud of Jollibee each time a Kpop idol would mention it, eat it or post it on their social media. I'm like, HEY THAT'S FILIPINO!

Hey, guys! My mukbang is back! I can't even remember the last time I did a proper mukbang video. But let this one be my comeback. I clearly remember this day. I was infront of my camera and was ready to film a video regarding a serious topic. About 5 minutes into it, I starved so I decided to quit what I was filming, call Jollibee delivery and film a mukbang video instead.

Jollibee is not only popular to Filipinos but it has also become a must-try to tourists in the Philippines. I really recommend trying it as this is honestly the most-loved and one of my favorite local food chains here in the Philippines.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW for my JOLLIBEE MUKBANG

All of the food I featured in the video come down to Php 500! That's like $10 ONLY!!! You really gotta love the affordability of products in the Philippines. No wonder tourists really enjoy coming here. I hope you could also try our famous Jollibee when you decide to visit Philippines one day!

My ultimate must-tries are : Spaghetti, Chickenjoy, Burger Steak, Palabok and Peach Mango Pie!!

I was able to finish all the food I ordered. Sometimes I wonder how large amount of food even fit my tiny body. HOWEVER, I do not promote unhealthy, binge eating! Mukbangs are nice if you only do it once in a while and make sure you do exercise after it, drink lots of water and detoxify. Okay? :)

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/RealAsianBeauty
INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine

MY CREEPY GHOST STORIES!!! | Halloween 2018

2018-11-05T14:49:00.002+08:00

Do you believe in ghosts and other spiritual elements?

Last Halloween, I decided to share my scary ghost experiences on YouTube. I do not have third eye and I do not wish to have to have it opened. But I've had quite a few real scary encounters which I couldn't forget up until now.

Since it was Halloween and I thought I'd make something else aside from the usual "Halloween makeup look tutorial", I decided to look back on some of my unforgettable experiences. I did however, try to incorporate a makeup look to the video by creating a simple vampire makeup. I was so excited to put on my special contact lenses, use my ultra white face powder and put on my recently bought velvet dress from Ukay-Ukay. (thrift shop)

What do you think of my look?

WATCH THE VIDEO below to know my 3 CREEPY GHOST EXPERIENCES!

While the first two stories I shared in the video may be true or may be just products of imagination or mixed sounds or light reflections, the last story is the one that scared me at first and then pierced my heart after.

However, being a Christian, I grew up believing in the bible. There is this bible verse that says "the dead know nothing..."

While we all have different beliefs and I would like us to respect each and every person's choice, I believe that the dead know nothing and they can not hear nor see us once they're gone. But what I believe in are the elements we sometimes like to perceive as ghosts of relatives or loved-ones may really just be evil spirits trying to scare us or confuse us. The best way to combat fear or spirits is really to pray and ask for guidance and protection from God.

* * *

How about you? Have you had any scary and unforgettable experience?
What's your take on ghosts and spirits? Don't forget to comment on this post to share your story!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

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♥

Kristine

MAYBELLINE FIT ME POWDER FOUNDATION | Review & Thoughts on Acne-Prone Skin

2018-10-28T20:45:00.002+08:00

Maybelline is of the most-used makeup brands in the market because their products are affordable an easy-to-use, especially for those who only know limited tricks in makeup.

One of my personal favorites from the brand is their Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. I like it for everyday wear because it truly matches my oily, sensitive and acne-prone skin. When I had my acne-breakout, one of my major problems was the acne scars caused by acne. I tried the Fit Me foundation to see if it can cover my dark acne scars. Here is the result :

Recently, Maybelline announced the release of their newest Fit Me product, the Maybelline Fit Me Powder Foundation. Compared to the first Fit Me powder that was released, this new one is two-way foundation meaning it could be used both with a dry sponge and with a wet sponge. It also feels smoother to the touch and feels lighter on the skin.

PRICE :
The new Maybelline Fit Me Powder Foundation retails at Php 349 each and comes in 8 shades!

WATCH THE FULL REVIEW BELOW :

LIKES :

*Powder feels smooth to the touch

*Easy to apply and blend on the skin

*Does not cake

*Feels light and makes skin appear matte

*Affordable at Php 349

DISLIKES :

*The formulation of the powder is TOO LIGHT.

Do not match the powder shade number to your Fit Me foundation as you may end up getting a powder that is way too light for your skin! I suggest trying it out at the counter first before buying. If you can't swatch it personally, I suggest getting it in 2-3 shades darker that your Fit Me Foundation.

Did you like this review? Visit and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more makeup reviews and tutorials. Always check this blog for more tips and stories!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

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♥

Kristine

9 WAYS A BROKEN FAMILY CAN AFFECT YOU | Depression Episode 1

2018-10-17T23:52:00.001+08:00

It's no secret that I come from a broken family. I believe one of the things that hugely affects how we are as adults is how we were in our childhood. Experts say that kids who grew up in a complete and loving family become emotionally stronger than kids from broken homes. Experts also say that the time when a child is born until the kid reaches 5 years old are the most crucial years for a kid to be able to develop in all areas.

But are those statements really true?

Just to be sure that I don't have distorted or biased belief as to what a broken family is, I asked Google and this is the answer I got :

With that, would it be safe to consider those people whose either of the parents is working abroad, whose Mother or Father may have passed away early, people whose parents are still together in marriage but are separated by time and/or distance? Would you agree with me that children from those homes may also suffer from the negative effects of not having both the parents around?

IF YES, THEN READ ON...

LET ME TALK ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD.

My parents were never married because my father had an ongoing petition for the United States of America where his parents and his siblings were already residing at when he met my Mother. My parents had me but my father didn't marry my Mom so he could pursue his American dream. The same year I was born, my father finally got his petition approved and flew to the US. My young Mother and I were left here in the Philippines. I am not particularly sure what promises, settlements, arguments or misunderstandings my parents had but him flying to the US eventually led to separation. He met someone else only few years after he got there and then he had two new kids. My Mother never got married again... I know my Mom tried her best to provide for me. I was young but I clearly remember how she left me to my Lolo and to my Tita for a few years so she could work and eventually send me to a decent private school. My Mom and I had a good relationship when I was still a child. When I was in grade 2, she took me back and we lived together. She would cook for me in the morning, prepare my food and then wake me up. Our life was simple. My father never provided any monetary support so it was all my Mom who did the financial work and the looking-after part. My father gave no part be it financially nor emotionally. Gladly, his parents (my grandparents) tried to fill in the spots my father failed to provide. Life was simple but it was difficult. We rented small room-for-rents around Project 8. I became independent early on and had to learn how to cook rice and commute to school alone as early as grade 3 or 4. Dinner foods were simple, Christmases were't extravagant, clothes weren't branded, TV was neither colored. I was growing up. One can only do so much, especially when alone. I was needing affection, security, assurance, attention, support and most above all, love. I know my Mom wanted to be able to provide me all I would ever need. I know she suffered much and sacrificed a lot just so she could raise me alone. I finally grew up, well maybe not literally grow-up but I did get older. Now that I am an adult and difficulties, disappointments and struggles come my way. I couldn't help but wonder maybe life would be difficult if I come from a complete and loving family. Maybe I won't be like this... Maybe I won't be like that...

Here is my list of ways how I was affected because I come from a broken family.

9 NEGATIVE Effects of Broken Family to Children :

Feeling of guilt and shame
Feel insecure and have low self confidence
Become shy, introvert and anti-social
Develop feeling of anxiety and distrust
Become emotional
Feel envious / jealous towards others
Some become rebellious
Tend to experience poverty
Feel unloved and unwanted

While there are no perfect nor wrong ways to describe how greatly one gets affected when a family crumbles, the things I listed above are just some of the things I personally experienced and some things I have observed on people I know who also come from broken homes. While coming from a broken home does not necessarily mean one is also emotionally broken, but it helps to know how someone could possibly be affected by his/her family background. It will help you understand why someone who comes from a broken home acts, talks and thinks the way he/she does. It will also help you become more considerate and understanding of their situation.

Of course, not everything has to be gloomy or dramatic. Now that I am older and mature, I have come to realize that there are actually positive effects of a broken home to someone. Though it also does not necessarily mean that only people who come from separated parents will develop these characters.

5 POSITIVE Effects of Broken Family to Children :

They become emotionally strong.
They are trained how to be independent.
They remain humble and grateful.
They are highly appreciative of anything.
They become loving and loyal people.
They develop strong desire to build their own happy family.

I couldn't count just how many times I wished my parents were never separated. Or how many times I imagined how my life would have been different if I come from a complete family and a happy home. Maybe I won't be super emotional and clingy. Maybe I would be more open-minded about things and would be extremely confident about myself no matter what struggle I face. Maybe I wouldn't know how it is to live life paycheck-to-paycheck. Maybe I wouldn't have to stop and stare at complete families I see at malls or churches and envy the kids.

But then again, life is not meant to be lived in the past full of regrets or in the future filled with hopes. Rather it is meant to be lived in the PRESENT. I can not go back and force my father to stay. Nor could I fast-forward life so I won't have to suffer. Everything happens for a reason. I know that the struggles my Mother and I encountered when I was young have all helped me shape and mold the woman that I am today.

Maybe not perfect. But I am proud to say that I have faced trials, struggles and disappointments and have successfully overcome them. So can YOU or someone you may know who also come from a broken home. Life is hard but it is also short. With that, let me leave you with the quote that I have come up while preparing for this vlog topic :
The best revenge is to be HAPPY! You only have ONE life. You can choose to live all your life being bitter and unforgiving. OR you can choose to live your life, forgive and be HAPPY.

I really hope you learned something, or at least felt something, from my life story. This is just PART 1 of my DEPRESSION series on YouTube. I plan to make this a complete series where I talk about all the struggles and disappointments I encountered and how I faced them. I plan to take my YouTube channel to a path where people don't watch it when they're bored. Rather, I want people to start watching my videos when they are feeling something and don't have anyone to talk to. More than anything, I really want to be an inspiration to others. Please help me by subscribing to my YouTube channel HERE.

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

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♥

Kristine

First Impression : SIGMA MAKEUP BRUSH Haul & Review

2018-10-07T23:56:00.001+08:00

This makeup brush line started almost the same time as I did. Sigma offers makeup brushes and cosmetics for beauty enthusiasts and professional makeup artists.

They say that if you were to spend money in building long-lasting and quality makeup collection, makeup brushes should definitely be part of your list. But it's not just any makeup brushes, though. You should invest on quality makeup tools!

WATCH MY HAUL to see all the cool stuff I got from SIGMA!

My favorite items are the F04 Structure Contour Brush, Warm Neutrals Volume 2 Palette and the Foam Makeup Brush Cleaner! Which one is your favorite?

I hope you enjoyed my makeup haul! Come back to this blog for more hauls and makeup reviews!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to FOLLOW me on my social media accounts!

YOUTUBE - YouTube.com/User/RealAsianBeauty

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INSTAGRAM - @RealAsianBeauty

♥

Kristine