Cover of "The Korean Art of Skin Care."
Leah is American, from Virginia, but she has been living in Barcelona for almost 10 years; Sara, 28, is from Barcelona; and Lilin was born in Hubei, China, but has been living in Spain for 14 years. Together they created Miin, an online Korean cosmetics store also present in Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Paris with a physical store.
“We are very confident that we will continue to grow and open more stores in 2019 and 2020,” says Lilin, who explains that the project was born from her numerous trips to Asia. “I used to go to Hong-Kong, Seoul a lot… He was a fan of Korean cosmetics, he always bought many products to bring them to Spain".
"They work great," he continues, "they have a good price, they use many ingredients that I like as green tea, centella asiatica, rice, bamboo... It was impossible to find them in Europe at the time and that's where the idea came from."
Lilin and Sara, from Miin.
The boom of Korean cosmetics It has rope for a while: “It has been one of the most cutting-edge and innovative in the world for years, its success is not by chance. It was only a matter of time before it reached Europe and conquered us all. The Japanese cosmetics industry is also very good and we find interesting products in Taiwan, Hong Kong… Also in Europe, of course, in the Nordic countries we find brands with a very attractive philosophy and concept”.
Xoy Dark Choco Mask.
"For us, the most important thing is to continue introducing good Korean cosmetic brands to the European market for our clients, our goal is to have news every two months," adds Lilin, who together with her colleagues has now launched the book The Korean art of skin care (Zenith), a compendium of super-simple tips for glowing skin.
We have asked the authors to highlight some of them, and they propose these five extracted from Korean philosophy. Take note!
1. Learn to listen to your skin. "It is essential to give it what it needs, as well as not using products just because they are fashionable. Healthy skin is the most beautiful. Care is not only about punishing it when we have problems (pimples, wrinkles, etc.) but about knowing our typology and pamper it, giving the specific care it asks of us".
Natural Coconut Oil Cleanser.
two. Give the oil a try. "People usually moisturize the skin with a serum or cream and rarely remember oils," explains Lilin, "but it is a product that has completely changed my routine." Leah agrees: "Adding the oil cleanser has changed my skin - I hardly ever break out now and my skin is so much smoother than ever."
3. Use acids wisely. “The AHA/BHA in low percentages helps to cleanse the skin. It is important to know your skin type before using them and not abuse them or mix them with other active ingredients with which they may react. But when we use them knowing what we are doing, we achieve spectacular results”, explains Sara.
Cover of the book "The Korean Art of Skin Care".
Four. Learn – once and for all – in which order the products are applied and how to distinguish your skin type.
And 5. Avoid classic mistakes: That is, sunbathing too much or going outside without protection, not doing the double cleansing step at night (you will quickly notice the difference in the condition of the skin) or not moisturizing the skin.
Ultra-hydrating mask available at Miin.
Once all this has been set on fire, forget the false myths. For example the one with… “The pores!”, they answer without hesitation. "We hear several times a day that 'I want something that closes the pores'. The pores do not close, our skin needs them to breathe. Everyone has more or less open pores, but they do. What we can do is minimize its size following a specific cleaning routine or by using ingredients that absorb impurities such as carbon dust”, comment the authors.
BEAUTY AROUND THE WORLD
All three are very well traveled – “Asia has many wonderful destinations that are on my list of favorites: Seoul, Kyoto, Nara…”, says Sara. “It would be very difficult for me to stay with just one because all these places have something that makes them unique but, without a doubt, one of the views that has most impacted me has been that of the Mount Wakakusa in Nara” – so We are especially interested in what essential products are worn by experts like them.
Mask for the eye contour.
Leah:
In the bag: "Always a mist, a lip tint, a BB cream cushion, a mini mirror and the book I'm reading at the time."
In the aircraft cabin: “Noise canceling headphones are essential, an eye mask, the MiiN headband, my "trtl travel pillow", a good sleeping pack like the Enature or Cosrx one, and a mist to hydrate the face during the flight because the air is very dry.
In the suitcase: “Comfortable and cute sneakers like Converse, my bag with the full-size products I need – like my oil and water cleaners, etc. – and at least one more organized outfit.”
Calming mask.
Sarah:
In the bag: “Always an antiseptic gel for the hands, hand cream and a BB Cream in a cushion format. It's great for touch-ups during the day and has sun protection."
In the aircraft cabin: "Masks, it is the best so that the skin does not dry out. And a travel guide of the place I am going, always on paper. I do not like to plan trips in excess but I always write down the essential ones and I like to read about the history and traditions of each place. In addition, I always carry a notebook to keep a diary of the trip".
In the suitcase: “Always a good make-up remover, no wipes and sun protection even if you are not going to do beach tourism. Slippers to be at home to be comfortable in the hotel, an umbrella to go out even in the rain and a swimsuit, it would not be the first time that I find a surprise spa in a hotel”.
Unicorn cushion.
Lilyn:
In the bag: "Unicorn heart lake cushion by Melomeli, Matte x heart on the lips 5 Rae by the same brand and Perfect Daily mist by Urang.
In the aircraft cabin: "Gold black peral eye mask by Shangpree and Ultra moisture mask by Abybom".
In the suitcase: "Rose Absolute first serum by aromatica, Brightening blue oil serum by Urang, Ultra time return eye serum by Abybom and Illuminating supple blemish cream SPF by Klairs.
Nourishing rice mask.
"Traveling is very important to me, it's a way to recharge my energy," Lilin tells us. “I like Seoul, because it is a safe city and I like to spend time there to find new trends and novelties in cosmetics and clothing, it's like working and having fun at the same time”.
Among many other pearls of wisdom, her new book also contains directions for enjoying Seoul. Here it goes his top 5 must-see places in the South Korean capital:
1. **The Shangpree Spa ** to enjoy the best masks in a luxurious setting.
2.**The Unistella Trend Nail salon**, you will find the latest in manicures there.
3. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, better to visit it when it gets dark to see the led flowers. And take the opportunity to pay a visit to the Doota shopping center, on the main floor they have collections of young designers.
Four. Cafe Menon in Hongdae , a pink cafe with a cosmetics shop on the 1st floor.
5. A day of shopping in Gagnam.
Miin's book is a compendium of skin care tips.