Hi there. My name is Tiffany Marie and I’m a New York City native from the “Boogie Down Bronx.” Although I am American, I was raised in a predominantly Hispanic household. I could dance salsa by the age of two and my favorite pastime was watching my abuela cook dinner in the kitchen.
New York City is often known for being a cultural melting pot, but I admit: I discovered Korean culture pretty late.
Skin care has always been an on-going battle since I was a teen. Acne, the ultimate arch enemy I couldn’t seem to get rid of, even followed me into adulthood. I’d just about given up after having tried practically every zit-zapping drugstore brand I could get my hands on. Let me just tell you the depression of acne-caused scars and dark pigmentation is REAL!
One afternoon I jokingly asked Dr. Google for a fix to lightening acne scars. I had heard rumors of skin lightening Asian products. What I found instead was Korean skin care. I stumbled upon a review for Missha featuring their First Treatment Essence and Super Aqua Snail Cream on YouTube which led me to dig deeper, and that’s how I found one of my favorite K-beauty Blogger Babes: Sheryll from The Wanderlust Project!
My Korean skin care regimen has changed since I started over a year ago and varies day to night depending on what my skin needs each day.
My current daytime cleanser is the Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick from Su:M37. The rumors about this being made out of unicorn tears and heavenly clouds are TRUE! My skin feels soft and luxurious after being caressed with actual rose petals. After cleansing I tone with the Aloe BHA Toner from Benton, and next is Missha First Treatment Essence (this product has worked miracles for lightening my acne scars!). Then I’ll use either my A.C. Care Bee’s cure Serum or my Missha Super Aqua Marine Stem Cell Serum. Last is my Missha Mild Essence Sun Milk in 45 SPF for day with a bit of my favorite moisturizer Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream.
Don’t be discouraged! It isn’t necessary for you to follow all 10+ steps of a Korean skin care routine. Find what steps work best for you and stick to it! No matter how frustrating your skin woes may seem, know it IS possible for your skin to find its GLOW!
It’s a mystery to me why skin care isn’t as celebrated in the U.S. as it is in Korea. Beauty is of course highly sought after but it seems we’re more focused on makeup instead of healthy skin. I’ve learned to love the skin I’m in. To be able to smile in the mirror sans makeup is a gift I didn’t know I needed! Don’t get me wrong, I love playing with lipstick and eyeshadow, but at the end of the day, loving your natural beauty is priceless!
Although I spend much of my time gushing over my enthusiastic love of skin care and cooking I’m also a huge advocate for health care. About five years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called lupus and it changed my entire perspective on what health care actually looks like for people living with a chronic illness.
By sharing my health experiences I hope to enlighten others so that families can become better caregivers, health care professionals can become better providers, and patients can finally find their voices and realize they’re not alone. If you’re passionate about something, SHARE IT! You never know who needs to hear your experience. For example, I praise the beauty gods daily for the miraculous souls who introduced me to Korean beauty. My skin has never been this flawless!
My K-beauty must-haves
1) Clio Kill Black Pen Liner An absolutely easy-peasy, perfect black liner for all your vampy needs!)
2) Missha Mild Essence Sunblock Do you know how hard it is to find a sunblock that doesn’t leave you looking ghostly?! This one is perfect and feels light!
3) Missha First Treatment Essence I’m convinced this is magical gift from the gods and one of the main reasons why my skin GLOWS on a daily basis!
Best beauty advice
My best advice for looking and feeling beautiful? Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. If that means a multi-colored dress covered in magical ponies, DO IT! Lavender lipstick? HELL YES! A cream made out of snail mucin? Lay it on me!
If it makes you feel good and it’s not hurting anyone, TREAT YO SELF!
*I’ll be be back soon to share some awesome ways to help get rid of acne scars!
—Tiffany Marie
Tiffany Marie is a glitter obsessed New York City native with a penchant for all things nautical! She’s a freelance journalist, public speaker, and healthcare ePatient advocate with a burning passion for advocacy, Asian skin care, fashion, food, beauty & K-pop! You can find her on the Tiffany and Lupus blog.
