[CLOSED] Store Visit: JKNLEE Chinatown, NYC K-Beauty Store

JKNLEE is a new-ish retailer that sells Clio Professional, Peripera, Goodal, Dr.G, Derma Dr. Lab, Soo Ae, Dermatory, Healing Bird, Botanic Bouquet, Hip Chic, Freeset and L.O.C.K Color. Don’t confuse JKNLEE as a Club Clio outpost because it sells many other brands that are manufactured from DK Cosmetics. Think of JKNLEE as home base where all of its brands are found in one convenient place, sort of like The Deciem where it houses 10 distinct brands but they can be purchased in one store. Some of their more popular brands can be found scattered in more accessible retailers. Dr. G is available in Nordstrom; Soo Ae, L.O.C.K. Color, Hip Chic and Botanic Bouquet are sold in Walmart locations; Goodal and Peripera are sold at Riley Rose (Forever 21’s K-Beauty store). Visiting the JKNLEE Chinatown, NYC location gives you the best access to all these brands.

JKNLEE Store East Broadway NYC

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YouTube: Soko Glam Best of Korea Pop-Up Event (2017 Best of K-Beauty Awards)

Soko Glam celebrated their fourth Best of K-Beauty Awards with a weekend event that brought some Korean culture into Nolita, New York. The space was a testing ground to feel and smell winners of the award but it was also a cool space to check out other Soko Glam favorites, see some K-pop performances, and hang out in their make-shift “pojangmacha” area (tent bars) with some cool Korean style grub and premium soju (if you’re over 21). There are ten winners of the award (you can view them all in my YouTube vlog below) and they must fulfill three criteria 1. They must have rave reviews from Soko Glam customers 2. The Soko Glam staff must also approve that it’s awesome and 3. The products must also have good reviews from influencers and media in Korea. After seeing these products IRL, I definitely have two products in mind that I want to buy once I get some space back in my vanity. See all the action in my video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikhp9FnRJQA&t…

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K-Beauty Sample Sale – JKNLEE, Club Clio, Peripera, Goodal, Dr.G, Derma Dr. Lab, Soo AE & Freeset

This is my first Korean Beauty sample sale of 2018 and it’s hosted by JKNLEE, a wider brand that houses a number of my K-beauty favorites including Club Clio, Peripera, Goodal, Dr.G, Derma Dr. Lab and Freeset. The sale lasts for a whole week and they were constantly restocking so there’s still a lot of good stuff for everyone. Surprisingly, there was a ton of Dr.G products! Out of the JKNLEE range, Dr.G has the highest price points for good quality and research-backed formulas. My haul was 95% Dr.G. Deals were irresistible as they were at rock-bottom prices (read more to see my YouTube coverage and price list) but I’ll caveat that the cheaper the deals, the sooner products expire. This is a sample sale after all where companies are trying to sell off products before it comes at a loss. Be mindful of your current skincare inventory so you make sure it’s finished by a reasonable time (which for me is about a year AFTER it expires lol). If you can’t go to the sample sale, JKNLEE has a brick and mortar store located on 2 E. Broadway in Chinatown, New York. However, this sample sale event takes place in a rented spot in the West, Village so go to address listed in the full post. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaapWxBsjEs&t=8s…

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Korean Beauty at CVS Drugstores!

Korean beauty used to be an online-only purchase when products were harder to find and the hallyu wave was only a baby splash in a kiddie pool. Fast forward to 2018, K-beauty now have shelf space in ULTA, Sephora, Nordstrom, and even in my beloved CVS drugstores! Products at CVS are curated by Peach Slices (Peach & Lily’s little sister brand) and they made the announcement of the partnership in 2017 although product selection varied greatly at locations. In fact I hadn’t found a CVS until now that carried popular products from Frudia, JJ Young by Caolion, Ariul, or Peach Slices (Peach & Lily’s own product line). Turns out that the best locations to go in New York City was in Columbus Circle and Times Square where Korean sheet masks, skincare, cosmetics and body care has its own giant, dedicated area. And the CVS deals never fail the penny-pincher in me because there are sometimes ExtraBucks Rewards incentives! I did a YouTube tour during the Peach Slices Night Market where Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily, was onsite to give personal skin consultations. Also check out my sheet mask haul!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElbDqWlnr-8&t=48s…

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Review: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream (Pink Jar – For Dry Skin)

The Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream was one of my first K-beauty face creams but just like a first boyfriend, it probably wasn’t meant to last. I’ve debated if I wanted to write this review because it’s such an old product that already has tons of reviews however it’s also a Nature Republic classic that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. Ever since K-beauty made it big in the United States, there has also been an influx of newer, flashier brands getting my attention but I won’t forget some of my first-timers when I started building a Korean beauty routine. I suppose this post is more of a nod to my 2015 K-beauty beginner self. That said, this is a great starter face cream for those on a budget and starting their skincare journey.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="452"] 2015: When SISTAR slayed my summer with “Shake It”.[/caption]…

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