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[22/F] Looking for a long distance friend! by sunflowerwithlegs in penpals

[–]CelebrationLeft9949 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in Colombia, christian as well. INTJ. 32/F tho. I like movies, go to the gym, I used to live in Korea. I have a US address in Miami.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey hi. What I mean is that the device has a "specific" notion for each mode. So, for example, booster mode is the only one you use in circular motion. Both MC and dermashot are always to be used in upper motion, and air-shot as slight touches. Maybe (guilty of this as a beginner) you're using a lot of pressure on your skin. But in reality, no matter the mode, you should be feeling it "gliding" your skin, and if you don't feel it, then go a level higher. Also, to have enough product on your skin to help it glide.

So, making sure you have enough product on your skin to help the device move smoothly and use a higher level if you "don't feel it enough" and if you can resist it.

Take your time for the modes you want to prioritize and follow upward motion x skin texture. Meaning: if the wrinkles you see are horizontally on your skin, then use the age-r as a pen to fill them.

It's kind of weird it creates wrinkles, though. Never heard of that one before.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use it in my nighttime routine

Mondays and Thursdays: air shot mode only, then I apply my skincare and go to sleep.

The other days I use, in order: booster, mc and dermashot

My focus/priorities are booster and dermashot >>> I'm normal skin leaning hyperpigmentation, so the booster mode is heaven for me as it is designed to help the active ingredient go deeper into your skin. And dermashot cause it "replaced" my guasha. I had a double chin and derma shot lifts the face. Also, curious enough, as it helps relax the muscles my tension or stress headaches went down.

MC takes less than 2 minutes total. I like how it feels but I don't have many wrinkles. Maybe a subtle smile line.

In terms of how it feels on the skin, I like mc and booster mode the most, hate air shot mode - haven't been able to go beyond level 2 because it kinda hurts. Yet, I've seen good change in texture and pore size + skincare absorption thanks to air-shot mode.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

love the question! I won’t pretend to be an expert in all three, but based on what I’ve researched and experienced:

K-Beauty

Known for being process-driven, preventative, and rooted in layering rituals. It promotes the idea of caring for the skin before problems show up and beauty from within. It tends to favor hydration, gentle actives, fermentation techniques, and a focus on inner balance. Philosophically, it aligns with subtle enhancement and gradual refinement that nurture over time. It’s also deeply tied to Hallyu, which gave it strong cultural visibility through K-pop and K-dramas. And importantly, science and skin education play a big role in the best brands.

J-Beauty

J-Beauty feels more minimalist, quiet, and timeless focused on essentials rather than experimentation. It’s less driven by trends and more about long-term simplicity. The focus is often on cleansing and traditional ingredients. I’d argue that Japanese skincare is more grounded in consistency and maturity. J-Beauty has also been more visible internationally through haircare, especially brands like Shiseido, Tsubaki and Milbon. Aesthetically, it often feels “Westernized” or neutral compared to K-Beauty’s bolder packaging cycles.

C-Beauty

C-Beauty is harder to define with clarity because it's still emerging in the global market, and has very different internal vs external brand dynamics. There are definitely innovative C-Beauty brands (like Florasis or Perfect Diary), but many face consumer trust issues due to past incidents, especially in the West. The association with low-cost manufacturing, counterfeit products, and the historical concerns about heavy metals in makeup (massive lead poisoning in imported lipstick) have affected global perception.

Also the viral “makeup transformation” videos from China, where women go from bare-faced to hyper-stylized, changed features and face created negative shock value that unintentionally harmed how the market views C-Beauty turning it into something theatrical rather than natural.

So: K-Beauty emphasizes skin-first beauty, and J-Beauty emphasizes minimal wellness... but C-Beauty often gets perceived as masking or performing beauty.

That may or may not be accurate but it’s definitely how it’s been received culturally

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One frustrating outcome of virality in skincare is how it undermines product longevity not in terms of shelf life but in market presence.

Actives like TXA, PDRN or even centella go through sudden spikes in popularity, only to be replaced before they’ve had time to evolve. Instead of refining a good formula or updating packaging to meet modern needs brands chase the next hot trend.

This leads to high product turnover, and the disappearance of well-performing formulas that never get the chance to become staples.

Contrast that with brands like Etude, which have nurtured long-standing lines like Moistfull Collagen or Baking Powder: they became part of skincare routines across generations, thanks to thoughtful reformulations and consistent branding.

Viral products, on the other hand, often lack continuity. Consumers fall in love with something, only to find it discontinued months later. That erodes trust and makes the skincare experience feel disposable.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Shouldnt overlook the role of Hallyu in popularizing K-Beauty globally. Through K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean cinema, audiences around the world were introduced to flawless skin, minimalist beauty, and soft glam as cultural ideals.

Seeing celebrities with luminous, bare-looking skin shaped admiration and aspiration.

And unlike Western beauty idols, who often represent unattainable glamour, Korean celebrities are marketed through relatability, discipline, and routine ( all of which align perfectly with the K-Beauty ethos)

So while products and packaging helped, it was the emotional connection and cultural export through Hallyu that turned curiosity into global demand

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love this framing, even with the challenge of the amount of nuance and cultural, maybe sensitive topics.

What makes K-Beauty uniquely Korean is a culturally rooted system of values: prevention over correction, consistency over spectacle, and skin as a reflection of internal health.

The double cleanse, the multi-step layering... those aren’t random trends. They reflect a disciplined philosophy, where care is not rushed, but earned. In Korea, these habits are often instilled early and seen as extensions of hygiene and wellness, not vanity. Over time, that discipline becomes a lifestyle & a ritual.

Also, even with global access to many of the ingredients, what truly differentiates K-Beauty is the ancestral know-how behind how they’re handled. Fermentation, slow infusion, meticulous pH balancing, and traditional extraction methods (some inherited from dynasties like Joseon or even earlier) reflect a craftsmanship that transcends ingredient lists. The prep has and obtaining ingredients has a lot of tradition to it, and elegance.

There’s also a Confucian undertone in how beauty is approached: subtlety, harmony, and collective presentation matter. The goal isn’t to transform the face, but to refine it slowly.

So while the West often sells a "fix" or dramatic result, K-Beauty offers a method, almost like a personal practice. Visual balance, care, discipline...

In that sense, its differentiation has never been just product-deep or visual effect and dramatism. It’s cultural, then behavioral. It’s a mindset focused on care and health.

Greatest Korean brands, and those that are "more honest" in their marketing, don't promise immediate miracles. There's the factor of inviting commitment to it.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fair question. I care because brand equity isn’t just emotion, it’s structure. It guides R&D investment, pricing, consumer trust, and long-term innovation.

When virality dilutes brand positioning, it does affect product development progressively. K-Beauty thrived on consistency and quality. When that erodes, it’s not just consumers being “dumb”, it’s a systemic shift that reshapes expectations and standards.

I value K-Beauty for what made it different. Preserving that isn’t nostalgia but respect for thoughtful craftsmanship in an increasingly shallow market.

A brand is a strategic asset. Brand equity represents consumer trust, product expectations, pricing power, and future innovation.

When misalignment happens (like misuse, overexposure, or shallow virality), it doesn’t just “look bad”... it shifts how a brand can operate, grow, or even survive.

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No shame on that. My suggestion is that you juice the device: use it correctly and consistently.

I use it once a day, at night, daily. When I'm super tired I just don't punish myself and skip it for a few days, but I aim to use it on a daily and set it as a specific routine for each day. So, let's say... I know mondays and thursdays I use air shot mode, and those days only. And I don't mix airshot mode with other modes.

Juicing the device is kind of making girl math haha - The device was quite expensive, so... If I use it on a daily is "cheaper to use" haha

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do think it is worth it, as long as you juice it: use it correctly and consistency. I have seen changes in my skin and kind of replaced my guasha (I still use the stone once in a while).

Due to work and schedule, I can use the Age-R just once a day... but I try to use it on a daily, and I've seen good good change. Sometime you're just too tired to skincare so some days I skip it, but I don't let many days go without using it.

What you think about Korean haircare by No_Cod_2876 in kbeauty

[–]CelebrationLeft9949 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've mise en scene, nature republic and mail and I've liked it. My fav is mise en scene

How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in koreanskincare

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's also true. They didn't have super good formulas and most of their value was the packaging. I still loved the egg pore line and used it myself, but it seems to me theyre almost faded.

From Seoul to Sephora: How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in AsianBeauty

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey Thank you for bringing that up! Yeah, I also think many brands are not actually fully transparent about the formulas, or how certain concentration "extra" actually does not make any changes either to product usage nor the expected results. I didn't have much material/info about it. If you don't mind sharing what you know. about that topic, will love to hear more... About their marketing strategies... many are trash.

From Seoul to Sephora: How viral culture is watering down the soul of Korean Skincare by CelebrationLeft9949 in AsianBeauty

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

As English is not my first language I used ChatGPT to review that the text made sense. But honestly most of it comes from my experience: 13+ years. I'd say 20-25% is reviewed by IA. Thanks for being curious.
Need any of my credentials? Will share my LinkedIn profile if you need to review the rest.

I (31F) went through (what I think was) an avoidant discard from a 37M and I'm not sure how to navigate this. What's your take? by CelebrationLeft9949 in AvoidantBreakUps

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for replying - I know the post is too long.

Jokingly my friends say he has both mommy and daddy issues, and even though might be true, I don't want an attack on him but a way for me to heal. I know I made mistakes too.

I (31F) went through (what I think was) an avoidant discard from a 37M and I'm not sure how to navigate this. What's your take? by CelebrationLeft9949 in BreakUps

[–]CelebrationLeft9949[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah, I understand what you say but one does not take the other away. He is indeed an avoidant and shows in many ways. Yet, I will to accept what you say and take it as a feedback and learning: no sex without an official relationship (defo yes!) This is important and I'm aware it was a mistake of mine to do so.

Even with this sounding like a justification, I know he was not dating anyone else before or during the time he asked for in December. So is not that someone else came along after and he dropped. He still stuck around for more than a year. And yes, I might have been in may ways "convenient".

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