The Face Shop Smim Radiating Moisturizing Essence

The Face Shop has a mini line called "The Smim" with various products to improve skin elasticity, provide energy, whiten skin, and more. Here I'll be reviewing Smim Radiating Moisturizing Essence, with more information from its webpage.

The tagline on the front and back state "Flawless skin with moisture radiance" and "An essence restoring moisturized radiance from inside the skin with deep moisturization by naturally fermented kefir."

According to the webpage, this product uses Tibetan mushrooms, cloudberries, shea butter, and more to whiten, moisturize and make skin more resilient. It also suggests that after using the product for two weeks, you should notice that your skin is significantly more glowing and radiant than before. I won't be using this product for two weeks straight, so I won't know if this is true or not.

The instructions online state that after using the Smim Toner, every morning and evening, pump two to three times and apply in an outward direction, then lightly tap in the product to absorb. I never understood the importance of the direction to apply creams, but I won't question it.

Here is the product itself. It smells like the Tony Moly Snail Essence, a slight scent of lemon. It has an interesting consistency, as it is runny like watery congee. It's also really pretty, as it's translucent white with metallic flecks. The amount pictured above is enough for the bottom of my eyes downwards.

The Pros

• The product goes on very thinly on the face, since it's so watery. Therefore, a little goes a long way.

The Cons

• It feels like the product is just on top of my skin, like a film is on my face, and not really penetrating into my skin. It took two hours for it to fully absorb into my face.
• The smell did bother me a bit, but eventually I got used to it. It is very subtle though.
• This product is suggested for normal skin types, and I completely agree. It's watery so it won't help to rid grease nor will it help heal dry skin.

Overall, I don't think I'm a good person to be reviewing samples at all, since they're only to last a few days, and these products are meant for a long term effect. I'm the lazy type, so I'll only use a product if I have a skin problem that I want to fix (acne, dry, greasy, etc.), so I probably won't use this product again since it's to perfect already normal, healthy skin. I would like to just stick to my Kpop unboxing posts, but I have all these samples that I can use for blogging...

Infinite: Second Invasion Evolution Plus DVD Review

I'm a little late on a Thanksgiving post, but here it is. If I were to write a Thanksgiving post about the things I'm thankful for this year, it would just look like my OGSLA Anniversary post; I'm thankful for the unforgettable experiences I gained this summer while studying abroad in Korea. But since that's already been done, I'll just review a little something that I bought while in Korea!

I am so behind on my unboxings, but now finally I'll be reviewing Infinite's 1st Arena Tour in Japan, the Second Invasion Evolution Plus Concert DVD! I wasn't going to buy this when it originally released in early January, 2014, because this DVD set is only available in Region 2 (for Japan, and therefore no English subtitles) or Region 3 (for other parts of Asia, but with English subtitles), and therefore I didn't think I could play it in the US. But while I was in Korea, I couldn't stop myself and bought Region 3 on impulse for 39,500₩, which is quite reasonable since there is no shipping fee.

I bought this in Myungdong at YP Bookstore, the bottom floors of Noon Square. The CDs and DVDs are in one corner, and there's a little counter with a worker there. I thought that was where I was supposed to pay, so I showed him my items, and he handed me a packet of Infinite postcards that come with the DVD set, then pointed across the store to the actual cash register. Apparently this is the counter to receive the bonus posters and whatnot; I'm so glad I came here, or else I wouldn't have gotten the postcards! I knew the DVD came with postcards, but I thought they'd be inside the packaging. Onto the actual product~

Second Invasion Evolution Plus is the last concert series from Infinite's Second Invasion concert series, and this is Infinite's first arena tour in Japan. Though this was released in 2014, this arena tour actually occurred from October 27, 2012 to November 22, 2012, will 11 shows. This DVD specifically covers the last two dates at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo.

The front photo is the same group photo from Second Invasion Evolution. The overall design is simplistic, with metallic silver detailing that reflects all colors of the rainbow. The side is angled so the contents are peeking out, and you can see the little Infinite logo on the front and back.

For some reason, the Japanese DVDs tend to look...bootlegged (or I guess, just really basic in appearance) in comparison to Infinite's Korean DVDs, as seen on the side and back. All these companies are just printed on the box and it just looks cheap. Usually Infinite's Japanese products don't have authentication seals, so it's reassuring that this DVD set has two.

The back has the two seals, the tracklist for all three discs, and DVD information. Everything is written in either Korean or English.

Here is a closeup of all the information. The DVDs are for Region 3, but I was able to play it on my American DVD player, which I thought was set up for only Region 1. So possibly this is for Regions 1 and 3. The subtitles are in Korean, English and Chinese.

This set includes the 3-disc box on top, the photobook on the bottom, and exterior postcards. Here you can see the tiny Infinite logo is on the front of the DVD box, and on the back of the photobook, so they can both peek out on the front and back.

Here are the postcards. During the VCR of the Second Invasion concert DVD, Infinite said L and Hoya were currently the most popular, so possibly that's why those two postcards are the covers. The seven postcards come a a resealable plastic bag.

The postcards came in order from top left to bottom right, with the bottom row facing backwards (like this matters...). They're just smaller than 4" x 6" and are like flimsy card stock with a completely white background. I really like these photos and their backgrounds; they show various parts of the concert and the members enjoying themselves.

These are the covers to the DVD case. The symbol really looks like striped candy canes to me. Like the exterior box, this case is highly glossy.

The DVD case is tri-fold. The first two discs contain the concert footage while the third disc contains the special features. The first disc is 88 minutes long and contains the majority of the set list, at 19 songs. The second disc is 40 minutes long and contains just 4 songs, but with the ending comments. And the third disc is 30 minutes long. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to write so much about the DVDs, but my fangirling could not be controlled and I just had to write it all out.

The main reason I wanted to buy this was to see how Infinite would deal with performing in a foreign country. I thought that they would sing their songs that have already been released in Japanese at the time ("BTD," "Be Mine," "Julia,"  "She's Back," "Come Back Again"). Surprisingly, Infinite sang almost all of their songs in Korean. During the opening song, "Come Back Again" (Korean version), a member even said in Korean, "Shout!" so I really thought that everything would be in Korean. But then during the intro ment, everyone spoke really confidently and fluently in Japanese; they all seemed to handle the stage just like at their Korean concerts. They sang "BTD," "She's Back" and "Be Mine" in Japanese.

The menu on the DVD has the set list including all the "ments" and videos, and it's all in Korean or English. The songs played throughout these various menus for the first disc are "BTD" (Korean version), "Paradise" and "That Summer," and for the second disc, the Korean versions of "Come Back Again" and "Nothing's Over," and for the third disc, the Korean versions of "Hysterie" and "She's Back."

The concert begins with the Second Invasion intro VCR, but with a new extension VCR where the members failed at dismantling a bomb and rescuers just barely missed saving Myungsoo (the feels!). The VCR continues with the Second Invasion Evolution VCR where Infinite's wearing their white military suits and walking dramatically with the white feathers floating around. The opening is similar but not as upscale as SIE, with the strobe lights and industrial container and "Come Back Again." They also performed "Tic Toc," "Wings," and "Voice of My Heart," which are three of my favorite songs performed live; the vocals, dance and orchestra are so amazing, making it so different from the recorded version. I was tearing up at Sunggyu's long note during "Wings!" They also performed the acoustic version of "I Like You," and Myungsoo acted so cutely during his line! A random thing I noticed, their second set of outfits is the same set from That Summer Concert, the one with the feathers. Except this time Woohyun's wearing a tank top underneath!

The set list doesn't explicitly mention any solo or duo stages, but actually I'm just blind! In Korean there is "Without You," "Only Tears" and "Timeless!" This is like a combination of Second Invasion (Woohyun's "Timeless"), Second Invasion Evolution (Sunggyu's "Only Tears") and That Summer Concert (Infinite H's "Without You"). And Sunggyu performed "Only Tears" in Japanese; I didn't even know they made a Japanese version of that song. His English is also correct now for that song, "I'm missing you" instead of the original "I missing you." And Woohyung also performed "Timeless" in Japanese, even when that version hadn't been released yet! Sadly the DVD doesn't include the maknae line, though from the photobook it seemed like they did the Infinite Band like in TSC.

There was one ment where Sunggyu was asked to sing a bit from his solo album, since it was just released just a few days prior, on November 19th (hence his red hair, since it's his solo era!). He sang part of "60 Seconds" and it was so amazing!

During the ending ments, they showed a VCR of Infinite practicing over the years. Then there was a surprise birthday cake for Dongwoo, since it was his birthday on the last day of the tour! This scene is so adorable as the members are joking around, and Dongwoo tears up, it's so touching. The encore included Infinite wearing what looked like suits that Englishmen would wear, and they sang "Lately" on those moving lifts like in SIE, and lastly "With."

The third disc contains the behind-the-scenes for both the "Chaser" music video and "With" music video, both spoken in Korean. Both of these seem really unrelated to the concert itself. I'm so lost as to when these two videos were released, or if they were only released for this DVD set. Anyways, the "Chaser" Making is about 18 minutes long, then they play the music video at the end. It was cool seeing each member's individual scenes, especially Myungsoo's in the rotating car! And the "With" Making is titled "Letter from Infinite," where each member writes a letter reflecting on the Arena Tour and on life itself, for about three minutes, then they show the "With" music video. They're all wearing those British outfits again, and with sad and serious expressions throughout the entire video.

Here are the front and back covers of the photobook. It's 26 pages of quality photos and paper.

Inside includes the concert dates and venues from this arena tour, the set list from this concert DVD, mostly group photos of Infinite on stage, very few individual photos (some of which are the postcard photos), and several behind-the-scenes photos. The venues are written in Japanese while the set list is written in both Japanese and English.

Overall, Second Invasion Evolution Plus is really like a blend of Second Invasion, Second Invasion Evolution, and That Summer Concert. I really don't know how to recommend which concert DVD is best, because they all have their special touches. What sets this DVD apart is the Japanese, which is used during the ments and during a few songs, the ending ment with Dongwoo's birthday, and of course the special features. But really when I first bought this DVD, I thought it'd be just like the other DVDs, but the more I watched, the more I realized just how amazing this DVD is, and I'm so glad to have it! I definitely got emotional throughout the entire concert and special features.

[Update 2] Kinokuniya Bookstore in Seattle

After returning to Seattle from studying in Seoul over the summer, I noticed that Kinokuniya has added a Kpop section! I first blogged about the little selection of Korean Jpop here and here. This is really exciting because I haven't found a store that sells Kpop albums anywhere on the West Coast, besides Burnaby and LA. Upstairs on the second floor of this bookstore, there are three mini bookshelves of both really recent and older Kpop albums, and of popular and not-so-popular artists.

Artists include Block B, BAP, IU, Lee Hi, Boyfriend, 2NE1, Got7, Speed, BESTie, TTS, Boys Republic, MIB...the list goes on! They had several copies of Infinite's Be Back album then, but when I visited again in early November, they were all gone.

The prices are a little high, considering the shipping fee and that Kinokuniya is just generally more expensive. I'd say they're reasonable though, like all the Infinite albums are maybe $5 or so more than what I paid for online, and I think Be Back was roughly $10 more, at $29.99.

There are also two display areas of unofficial goods, including light sticks, rubber coin purses, wallets, pencil cases, book bags, folders, and more of the really developed boy bands, like Big Bang, SHINee and Super Junior.

The Korean Jpop section has also expanded, with albums from artists like SNSD, Big Bang, Super Junior, Donghae and Eunhyuk, SHINee, 2AM, 2NE1, U-Kiss, Rainbow, DBSK and After School.

Also as I was leaving the bookstore and passing through Uwajimaya, I was so thrilled to find the drink I fell in love with in Seoul, Milkis! And I didn't even know there were other flavors besides original!

I went back again on November 22nd, and the Kpop area has changed, yet again! Upstairs, there is now a magazine rack display for Kpop albums, so it's much easier to see (before they were just like books on a shelf, but at ground level). There are also albums on top of the mini bookshelves, all of which line the borders of the second floor. Then the center now displays Jpop, with half of the table dedicated to AKB48 and the other half for Arashi. I am so sorry for the blurry photo...I was in such a rush because shoppers were judging me for taking photos. The labels I made are general...as you can vaguely see, Block B's Jackpot is in the 'Unofficial Goods' section and a Super Junior bag is the the 'Kpop CD Display.' There was also a SHINee photobook for around $46 (I know nothing about SHINee goods, but just throwing it out there that they also carry nice photobooks).

Here is a closer look at the row of Kpop CD displays. I am so impressed with their collection!

Since Infinite F released their debut Japanese single on November 19th, I asked if the store will be getting any version of the album. The worker told me that new albums usually take one month to arrive, and that the supplier just gives them whatever, so which version(s) the store will receive is unknown, and they don't have any indication of the price range. But you can leave your email or phone number with them and they can contact you when the album arrives! Though it's obviously faster (and cheaper) to order online, and purchasing from many online shops counts towards music charts, I'm still so thrilled that new album releases are coming to Seattle!

Also on the wall by the cash register is a sign saying posters are $10.99...I've never seen Kpop posters here before! But they had an official (at least I think it's official) F(x) Red Light poster, and a small, unofficial Beast poster.

I can't wait to see how else Kinokuniya will expand and spread the joy of Kpop to Seattleites!

One Year Anniversary of OGSLA: Reflections on My Inspirit Life Over the Past Year

This post is just me spilling out my feels about all my Infinite-related experiences that started exactly one year ago today. I'll link my anecdotes with my previous blog posts so you know what I'm rambling on about.

Exactly one year ago from this day, November 8th, 2013, marked the true beginning of my Inspirit life with Infinite. I was standing 30 feet away from Infinite as they were performing in their own solo concert, One Great Step in Los Angeles. I can't begin to express all the emotions rushing through my mind as I relive the memories of seeing Infinite for the first time. It's all such bittersweet and still surreal; as an international fan, seeing my idols perform in my home country is such a dream come true.

The hours after the concert, I was so sad that this was probably the last time I would see Infinite. Little did I know, a month later my dad would suggest me to study abroad in Seoul for the following summer! And so I started my side blog about My Seoul Adventures, which are mostly just me releasing my inner Inspirit.

So from June to August, 2014, I studied in Seoul and had my own Inspirit tour! Besides fangirling over the Infinite endorsements (Pepsi commercials, Lotteria, Elite, Shara Shara...) and merchandise (past concert goods, endorsement goods...), my first official Inspirit experience happened when my Korean Inspirit friend (who I met at my home university and was the backbone to my adventures) took me to Hoya's family restaurant, where I met his dad! And the following day, I was able to relive my OGSLA feels by seeing Infinite perform at the Brilliant Motor Festival, one of those free Korean concerts that I used to only see photos of on Twitter! Later on, I also went to Dongwoo's restaurant, and met his dad, who's just as 4-D as his son!

Then the low point of my study abroad came, when I visited Sungyeol's family restaurant and saw Sungyeol myself, standing inches from me. I was so ashamed of myself that I thought to ban myself from being an Inspirit and I wanted to go home...as my first time seeing an idol off stage, I didn't know how to act and therefore my actions came off wrong, though I still feel I'm not in the wrong (especially as an international Inspirit that didn't know any better).

A week later, I finally bounced back and was a full Inspirit again, though Sungyeol went from being my second bias to...I special place in my memories that I just don't know where to place, as it's an experience well learned. I visited the Infinite Tree Forest and felt at one with Infinite! My love for Infinite had been restored.

This was all during Infinite's "Back" promotions, and so I applied for Infinite's fansign event! Of course I didn't win, with the few albums I bought. I also hung around two of Toheart's fansign events in hopes of catching a glimpse, and I ended up hearing Woohyun's voice!

And then the highlight of my trip, going to Woohyun's family restaurant and being greeted and served by Boohyun himself! He was so grateful that an international Inspirit came all the way to Korea to eat at his restaurant, and was the sweetest. This experience, I treasure the most.

I also visited Infinite's hair salon, famous for when Infinite had an interview while getting ready for the 2013 MAMA show. This honestly wasn't that special. But what was definitely worth the visit was Box+, the clothing store where Hoya filmed his scenes for "Man in Love," and Nana Piercing, where Infinite got their piercings! To think, Hoya touched that door handle, sat on those stairs, Sunggyu got his latest two piercings in that store...

And later on I also visited the Mangwon area, including Infinite's favorite restaurant, their old dorm, old practice room, and new dorm!

And my study abroad came to an end on August 10th, but Infinite was holding their That Summer Concert 2 series from August 7th to the 16th! I extended my stay and celebrated the end of my trip with Infinite, a more than perfect ending. I got the full Inspirit experience by camping out overnight to purchase concert goods, and then I went to TSC2 Day 5 and Day 6!

Just two years ago, I had just started learning about Infinite, and then the past year I got to live and experience the Inspirit life with all of these experiences! This has definitely been the most memorable, amazing year of my life and I will continue to wallow in my sadness of never seeing Infinite again, but being able to see them, both in my own country and theirs.