Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water & Hydrating Booster Review

Hey Guys!

After running out and in desperate need of a make up remover I popped down to my local Boots and normally I would have just grabbed my usual choice of micellar water the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin, but I saw that Simple was on offer so I decided to give their new Water Boost skincare range a try!

I've used a few different micellar cleansing water products now, some having oil bases and some just been specifically for delicate and sensitive skin so I'm always open to try different brand's line of cleansing products. For ages people have raved about Simple's Water Boost cleansing line and at lot of YouTuber's I watch, like Sophia Chang and Jenn Im have been partnering up with Simple to showcase and review their new range. So from watching them and reading many other reviews and impressions on the micellar water and hydrating boost I thought I would give it a try for myself! 

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water 

One thing I notice every time I use the product to take off my eye make up is it doesn't make my eyes sting. I've had some occasions when using Garnier Micellar Water when I've put too much product on the cotton pad and when I go to wipe my mascara and eyeliner it leaks into my eye and stings like crazy! Where as, so far I've not experienced any stinging or burning to my eyes which is great! Other than not stinging my eye it is also great at breaking down my tough eye makeup like my mascara. Normally it takes a while to get my mascara and eyeliner to budge but with the Water Boost Micellar Water it lifts really quick so I don't have to keep rubbing my eyes and making them inflamed and irritated :) 

When I've finished removing all my make up my skin is left feeling soft! Sometimes after wearing make up my skin can be quite dry but every time I've used this micellar water my skin is left feeling hydrated and not stripped. Other than the hydrating aspects of the product the smell is also something I always think about because if it doesn't have any perfume or fragrant smell it tends to be better for my skin, and this micellar water has no smell to it, it is very neutral which proves they are true to their claim of not having any artificial perfume or colour in their products!

So far I'm really liking this product and it has helped keep my skin, especially when I've been wearing make up all day, bright and hydrated :) I just wish they did a smaller version for travelling as the bottle is quite heavy and big, so if they did a small bottle like Garnier I would be even more sold on the product! 

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster

I've never seen a brand do a product similar to a primer, but specially for hydration. It is definitely something new so I was excited to give it a try and see if it would do anything for my skin. They give three suggestions of how to use it: 

1. As a hydrating primer layer 
2. Add to your moisturiser for a booster 
3. Apply directly to the really dry areas before applying moisturiser. 

I've been using it as a hydrating primer layer then occasionally as a booster and adding it to my Nivea moisturiser. I didn't notice a big difference straight away but that can be quite normal for most skincare products because it takes time for them to make a difference. After a few more days of using it in my skincare routine both in the morning and evening I started to notice a difference to the dry patches on my face, such as around my temples, on my cheeks and around my eyebrows. You only need a little bit for it to go a long way, I've been using around a bean sized dollop and and with just a small amount it covers my entire face and dries quickly. One thing I like is that it doesn't have a sticky consistency, so it doesn't go tacky or anything it absorbs into the skin very fast! I dislike products that go really sticky and tacky as it just makes products that I'm putting on top look odd and then it sits weirdly. 

It is a very lightweight product that doesn't feel heavy on the skin and it does make my skin look much brighter and when put into my moisturiser my skin has a fresher look, kind of a dewy glow. Similar to the micellar water it doesn't have any fragrance or perfume scent and it has a pure clear appearance so they haven't added any unnecessary colours either! From looking at the packaging I like that they explain why the minerals benefit your skin for hydration and how the plant extracts are used to maintain hydration and is a natural ingredients that is great for the skin! 

I would recommend if anyone has dry skin, especially since it has been very cold in the UK at the moment, to try out Simple's new Water Boost range, as I have noticed a different with using the hydrating boost! For the price I paid I was very happy (but it was on offer the time I brought it so it was inexpensive). 

What is your skin type? Let me know in the comments below!

See you on Sunday my lovelies! ❤ 

Amy xx

Tips For Surviving Freshers

Hey Guys!

Over the next two weeks a lot of you will be starting university and for you first years that means Freshers Week! Now that I'm going into my second year of university I have realised that there is a lot I learnt in freshers week that those of you who are going into your first year at university might like to know! If only I could do Freshers week all over again!

When it comes to Freshers Week it's completely new to you, your meeting new people, navigating yourself around a city you may never have lived in before, getting used to looking after yourself, cooking for yourself and learning to use the washing machine, so there can be a lot of uncertainty! So hopefully this will help you survive your first week!

#1 Make Sure All Your Paperwork Is Organised

In your first week you'll be having to register for your uni smart card, signing up for societies, getting your keys for your accommodation, using your new student account with a chosen bank and will be organising what modules you will be taking for your first and second semester, so you need to make sure that all of your paperwork is organised and in order. What I did was got a folder and put all my administration documents in the front, banking paperwork in the back and then somewhere in between put all the information and documents I would need to get access to my accommodation key. By having it all in a folder it makes life so much easier when it comes to looking for all the paperwork needed to hand in. Also, when you go to register for your smart card so you can access uni you'll need specific documentation, for example I needed my confirmation letter for acceptance to the university and the document they emailed me to print off. Being organised is essential as you won't need just one lot of documentation you will have collected a few over the past couple of months. 

Another tip is getting all the administration tasks done straight away, so all the boring queues are all out the way before your start partying! Nothing worse than leaving it till last minute and then having to worry about it on your first week of lectures and induction seminars. So, by knowing what paperwork you need prior to going it will be a much easier process!

#2 Don't Be Afraid To Meet New People

That first day when you move into your accommodation and see all these new faces and people can be scary, kind of like starting primary and secondary school all over again! But don't worry everyone is in the same position and everyone will be nervous, believe me everyone worries about not making friends! So, don't by shy and say hi to everyone when you pass them on the landing, introduce yourself, try and remember everyone's names and just be yourself! The people in your flat will all be nervous too so just be friendly and offer to help them move things into the flat. Before you know it you'll be chatting and talking about your courses and where you are from etc! Luckily for me when I moved to Newcastle I already knew who I was living with because I met them all on Facebook through our accommodation group chat so it wasn't so scary going into my flat as I'd already spoken to everybody I lived with and saw familiar faces! You will actually be surprised how many people you will meet at freshers. It is nothing like secondary school, at uni everyone is so friendly! You'll be surprised how many friends you'll make in that first day! :)

#3 Save Your Money

This is an obvious point because now that you are moving to university and becoming more independent you'll be having to pay for your own shopping, machine uses, nights out and treats like the cinema, so you'll need some spending money other than your student loan! But what I mean by this point is for freshers week you'll be spending a lot of money on tickets to events, club entry fees, drinks, pre drinks and the university will hold some events that you will have to pay for as well, so save as much as you possibly can in this short time so you can make the most of the week and not have to worry financially. There is nothing worst than wanting to go and spend time with your new friends experiencing this new city and constantly checking you have enough money and working out what you can and can't go to. Just be sensible! Don't go spending £300 on a night out, when I've heard people have spent that much I don't understand how, you can easily go on a night out with just £10 in your pocket! So, have some spending money to treat yourself but don't go overboard and regret it later!  

#4 Sign Up To Societies

Everyone always says to sign up to as many clubs and societies as you can and they are right! But don't sign up to absolutely everything as that would be too overwhelming and in the end you won't end up going to all of their meetings and socials anyway. For my first year I stuck to just signing up to one society so that I didn't fill my time up too much and I didn't have to constantly go to every society event. I heard of people signing up to five or six societies and then when it came to socials they wouldn't go to half of them because it clashed with their work, uni schedule, time with their friends and they couldn't afford to keep going to all these different events every month. So, I would suggest signing up to two or three as that isn't too overwhelming and you still get a great chance to meet loads of new people! For my second year I'm going to attempt to sign up to a few more societies and make the most of what is on offer. Like I said you can ensure you are using all the great opportunities given to you but you don't have to do it all in one go!

#5 Don't Worry About Being Homesick

Everyone feels homesick at some point and that is normal. For some of you it will be your first time away from home, away from your friends and family and it can be quite scary and stressful. You don't know anybody, you don't know what to expect and you have to suddenly start doing everything on your own and have to be independent, so of course you are going to be missing home and the comforts. But one thing I suggest is to not go home as soon as you feel homesick, you have to stop yourself from rushing home, stay positive and of course you can call your family and friends as much as you want and need! And after two or three weeks they might come and visit you or you go and visit them but I suggest for the first few weeks of settling in keep going and stay at uni. The reason I say this is because the moment you go home it will make things worse as you'll be reminded of what you are missing back home and then you won't want to go back. I know a few people from my accommodation that went back home after one week and they never came back because they realised how easy it was back home. I didn't go home till November and even that was unplanned, so coming from me in the short term it will be hard but in the long term you will see why. Also, your flat mates and course mates will be a great distraction! Whenever I feel homesick I go and spend time with my flat mates and I'm fine again. I do also call my mum for 5 minutes every day, so that helps haha! ♡ 

#6 Start Getting Student Discounts 

There are so many places to get students discounts and they will help you out loads! For the first 6 months I didn't bother getting getting money off any of my shops but when I started to take advantage of student discounts it saved me so much! I got a dress for my media ball for £13 when it was suppose to be £21, I saved money on meals out with my friends and even when you are in a club on the weekend you can get money off drinks because of being a local student. The best apps I recommend are Uni Days, Voucher-Codes, NUS and just plainly using your student card. You will be so surprised the places you can get money off, such as Co-Op, New Look, Waitrose, Starbucks and even really fancy restaurants! Honestly, you won't regret it! 

#7 Don't Try and Go To Everything 

In freshers week there are so many different events on and you'll be getting Facebook invites left right and centre but don't feel like you have to go to all of them to make the most out of your freshers week. At some point you will need a break, and trying to go to every different event will drain you. They may all sound so fun and it will be hard to choose which to prioritise and choose, but what I found worked for me was speaking to my flat mates and those who lived in the flats on our floor and we discussed where we thought would be the best place to go and what tickets to get. By doing that we all could go to the same events together and then could space out the week. When I was a fresher I was desperate to go to absolutely everything but in the end I'd brought all these tickets to these events and I didn't go to all of them so I ended up wasting my money. Don't feel like its a must and you'll miss out on something huge because a few months later that event organisation and club will be throwing more events for Halloween, Christmas and celebrity appearances so don't panic!

What university are you guys attending? Let me know in the comments below!

See you on Sunday my lovelies!♡ 

Amy xx 

Pukka Herbs | Review

Hey Guys!

I'm a huge fan of drinking green tea in the morning and never miss a day, so when I got given Pukka samples I was keen to try them out and see if they are as great as they claim! I've never tried Pukka before but I do know they are quite a trusted brand and that they have a mission to inspire change and reduce their carbon foot print, while producing great products!

I got given four packets and in each pack there were two tea bags to use. So I could try each tea twice and have a better verdict before choosing my favourite ♡ 

First of all I loved the packaging! It's much more unique and inviting than most natural tea products I've used and I'm very big on packaging. Packaging could literally encourage me to buy anything even if it was the most pointless thing like floss. So bonus points for the design and the information it gives you as well, like the pronunciation and meaning, what the individual tea is supposed to achieve and all the ingredients and important facts about the production of their range.

On their website they claim its also organic, vegetarian, wheat free, dairy free, nut free, caffeine free, vegan, gluten free, soya free and kosher so its great for anybody on any sort of diet or religious belief. Whether your vegan, allergic to nuts or dairy! So they are fit for all parts of the market. I would happily recommend them to anybody :)

The one thing I don't like, and this is with most herb type products, is that towards the end of the drink there are bits from the teabag that have rested at the bottom and they are really bitter if you end up drinking them. So I do have to leave some when I've finished. They have quite a strong scent as well so they can be a little overpowering if you aren't big on strong scents of herbs!

Pukka Detox - a clean fusion of organic aniseed, fennel and cardamon

Pukka Detox with Lemon - A lemony spring of organic aniseed, fennel and cardamom

Pukka Ginseng Matcha Green - Organic whole leaf green tea with a zip of red ginseng ad pure green matcha 

Pukka Cleanse - A radiant blend of organic nettle, fennel and peppermint 

The price isn't as expensive as I thought it would be either. One box is £2.49 plus postage and package which isn't too bad. It is quite affordable. When I first saw the brand I thought it would be a very expensive product, especially for myself who is a student on a low income but its not bad! In each box you get 20 sachets. 

Out of all the samples my favourite was Ginseng Matcha Green! It was a range of tea I hadn't tried before and at first I wasn't particularly sure I would like it as I'm not big on matcha but it was the best! If I was to choose one of the herb teas to buy a full box it would be this type. 

If you are a big green tea drinker like myself and want something different to try that isn't you average supermarket green tea then check Pukka out. They do a huge range and you can send for samples choosing from 10 different blends to try out ♡ 

Follow the links to find out more!

What is your favourite hot beverage? Let me know in the comments :)

See you on Wednesday lovelies!

Amy xx 

Hair Issues and Solutions | Lanzarote 2017

Hey Guys!

While I was on holiday I thought my hair would be fine with just shampoo and the normal hair products I use on a day to day basis but the heat, sun exposure and constant contact with water caused my hair to become very brittle and dry on the ends. My hair in general was not in the best condition, so I thought I'd look for something that would help bring the moisture back to my hair and help protect it from the amount of sun exposure it was dealing with everyday. So, we went and browsed through all the hair products in all the supermarkets, which was quite difficult because it was all in Spanish, therefore I had no idea which product did what! Eventually, we found a hair product that made sense in English/Spanish that we hoped would help return my hair back to its best. So for €4.10 we bought a hair mask that would repair the ends, hydrate and return some of the lost vitamins to my roots  💕 

It was frustrating having such dry hair and with it looking so lifeless and limp, so finding an easy solution was reassuring! I've never used a hair mask before because I just tend to stick to shampoo, conditioner, heat protect spray and oils so I was pretty excited to try something new! 😊 I always get this thrill when it comes to experimenting with new products! I used the hair mask the following night before going out for evening drinks and it worked a dream! I washed my hair as usual - shampooo etc., then added the hair mask to my hair, from roots to ends and leaving it for 5 minutes while it worked its magic. I dried the ends slightly with my towel and then let it dry naturally instead of applying any heat and making it worse! Obviously I couldn't tell if it had worked straight away but later on both myself and my mum had noticed how my hair was feeling softer and much healthier ❣️

The consistency was very thick and was similar to a jelly based product so I didn't have to use much to coat my hair thankfully! By the tub is quite large and contains 400ml of product, so I have no doubt it will last me a while! After using that several times while on holiday my hair was restored to its former health! If you are struggling with some hair issues while on holiday like I did I highly recommend a hair mask that hydrates and protects from sun exposure! It works wonders and its affordable and easy to find in any supermarket! 

What is your favourite brand for hair masks? 

See you on Wednesday my lovelies! ❤️ 

Amy xx 

Keeping Positive | My Method

Hey Guys!

Sorry there was no post on Wednesday! Late on Tuesday night I flew back from Brussels and got back home from the airport really late and Wednesday I basically slept all day recovering from the hectic four days I travelled around Brussels, so unfortunately I didn't have a post scheduled or arranged for you guys! But I'm back now with a positivity post for you guys!

I like to think I’m a very positive person and that I see the good in every situation but no matter how positive you are there will still be times where things get you down and you get yourself into a rut which you find hard to get out of no matter how hard you try!

There have been several times in the past 8 months where things have got really hard, whether its family or stress related and you find it impossible to be happy or think positively! For ages you think you are going to be stuck in this downward spiral and don’t know how you are ever going to think positive again, and believe me I had been in this situation many times and so have many other people ♡  So to help myself I came up with something so simple and easy to keep my mind clear and encourage myself to be positive. If I do get into a rut or downer mood I have this method to bring me out of it :)

For my birthday my best friend brought me this beautiful journal/notebook from Paperchase and seeing how colourful and vibrant it is I wanted to use it for something special. Thus, I came up with the idea of using it to reflect on myself and my daily life. By reflecting on my daily life and how at least one positive thing would have happened throughout the day it lightens my mood! 

This is my method:

In this journal I write down the date and anything else significant and then I will write 3 things I’m grateful for, something that I have recognised and realised that day to be something special and something I should be thankful for. By writing these three things I'm focusing purely on something positive and it then helps me realise how lucky I am and how I’m more fortunate than other people around the world. I shouldn’t take that for granted therefore, making me happy with what I have been gifted with ♡ I like to use different colours as well throughout the journal to keep it colourful inside and fun! 

Underneath the things I’m grateful for I write a quote for the day that is something I can live by and relate to. By writing these quotes I can fully reflect on why I should be happy and focusing on the great things I have and not what I don’t have! A lot of people focus on what they don't have and not what they do have, so to make myself happier I now try and focus on the great things that are going on in my life :)

This won't work for everybody as everyone will have different ways of staying positive and reflecting on the positive aspects of life but this is the method that works for me! By purely thinking about the things I should be thankful for and reflecting on it puts me in such a great mood and can really help when you are just focusing on the bad things that are surrounding you. Look on the bright side! (slowly starts singing Mr. Brightside haha!)

I hope this helps, even just for one person! ♡ 

See you on Wednesday my lovelies!

Amy xx 

South Korea Travel Tips With Megan

Hey Guys!

I love travelling and a country I've always wanted to visit is South Korea! I haven't had the opportunity yet to get to travel as far as Asia but hopefully in the future I will have the opportunity to visit all the places on my travel bucket list and see more of the world. 

For this post I have collaborated with Megan from the Instagram account @meeho1987 to create this post for you guys. Megan has lived in Korea and has experienced first hand what great things the country has to offer so Megan has answered all my questions and given the best advice to those who are either travelling to South Korea or are planning to. 

What are the top 10 places to visit in Seoul? (In no particular order)

 Bukchon Hanok Village

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (at night)

Myeongdong

 N Seoul Tower

Gyeongbokgung Palace

 Insadong

Lotte World Amusement Park

Changdeokgung Palace

Lotte World Mall & Aquarium

Hapjeong 

Bukchon Hanok Village

Which are the best palaces and museums to visit and is it free entry?

(Not necessarily just palaces and museums but other great places to check out)

N Seoul Tower

Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul Olympic Park

National Folk Museum

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Seoul Olympic Park 

What is the most traditional thing to do in Korea?

I would suggest to rent a hanbok for a day and visit one of the many palaces or shrines nearby. Be sure to take lots of photos! After some sight seeing stop at a traditional Korean restaurant for lunch. Order something you’ve never heard of or tried. Then wrap up the day at a jimjilbang (Korean bathhouse). 

Traditional Hanbok 

Where are your favourite places in Korea?

I loved the surrounding areas of Seoul such as Byeollae and Nowon. It was quieter and more laid back from the hustle and bustle of the city center. I really enjoyed hiking the surrounding mountains, the scenery was breathtaking. Reaching the summit was a wonderful experience. 

Nowon

Is there anything important to remember about etiquette and manners in Korea?

Blowing your nose in public is frowned upon which is really hard when you have a cold! Go to a restroom or quiet area to do so. When you meet someone for the first time it is polite to bow. Hugging and hand-waving are OK for close friends. It’s also good manners to wait to eat until elderly or people older than you started first.

Considering how busy Seoul is where are the quiet spots that are nice to visit?

I would tell any traveler to Seoul to spend a day going hiking. It’s quite a popular pastime in South Korea. People of all ages enjoy it, and when I say all ages I mean all ages! Haha. I will be struggling or out of breath and an ahjussi in his sixties will sprint past me without hesitation! Take a picnic along and don’t forget to bring makgeolli 막걸리(Korean rice alcohol)! The views of the city and the fresh air is priceless. Stop at a Buddhist temple along the way to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Which method of transport would you recommend? Taxi, the subway or walking?

I recommend taking the subway or walking. Most places (depending on where you are of course) have cafes, restaurants, or grocery stores within walking distance. The subway is easy to navigate, as is purchasing your subway card and refilling it when needed. Taxis are an OK option, but I caution that some taxi drivers are vey aggressive and fast! Haha.

Is there anything like a travel card you recommend getting, similar to a travel pass for the subway and buses?

There’s a travel card you can purchase at the subway kiosk called “CityPass” which works for both subway and bus transportation. All you do is swipe the card on the card pad upon entry and exit. The pad will tell you how much you have on your card incase you need to refill soon.

How much money would you suggest taking for 1 week and how much for 2 weeks?

For spending money, I would suggest adding 600,000 won to 1,200,000 won on top of all your other expenses including airfare, hotel, etc.

Where would you recommend finding a hotel/hostel to stay?

Honestly, I would recommend doing some research and book a place through Airbnb. Places through Airbnb are very reasonable price-wise and the place you book may even have a kitchenette. When it comes to location it’s all about preference. If you love the city and being in the middle of it all, I would recommend staying in Gangnam or Hongdae. For those of you interested in the lesser-traveled areas, I would recommend looking into places a bit outside of the city.

What are the essential items to pack in your suitcase?

Depending on where you’re from, you will definitely need to invest in a power plug adapter. The standard voltage in South Korea is 220 V. Other than personal items such as medications, Seoul has pretty much everything you need. On a side note… If you are a tall person with large feet (such as myself) certain sizes are very difficult to find so bring extra pants and shoes!  

Is it worth buying a Sim Card to use while in Korea? To get access to wifi and 3G?

The great thing about Seoul is that Wifi is pretty much everywhere. However, I do recommend purchasing cellular data/minutes just to be safe because Wifi doesn’t always work in the subway and certain locations. That extra money you spend on data/minutes might come in handy during an emergency.

What are the best street foods to try?

My favorite is hotteok 호떡! It’s like a small, deep fried dough pancake filled with cinnamon-sugar, peanuts, and other spices. Other great street foods to try are bungeoppang붕어빵(fish-shaped bread filled with sweet red bean), tteokbokki 떡볶이 (rice cakes in a spicy chili sauce), gyeran-ppang계란빵(sweet and fluffy egg bread), and eomuk 어묵(fish “cake” served on a skewer).

Hotteok

What are the best Korean dishes to try?

Aside from Korea’s national dish, kimchi, I recommend trying bibimbap 비빔밥(a hot bowl of rice you mix with vegetables and chili paste), bulgogi 불고기(thinly sliced marinated beef), pajeon 파전(thin seafood pancake), galbi 갈비(marinated beef ribs), samgyetang 삼계탕(chicken ginseng soup), and samgyeopsal 삼겹살(grilled pork belly). One of my favorite dishes is jajang-bokkeumbap 관련볶음밥, which is fried rice served with a black bean sauce. Korean cuisine is not only delicious but the ingredients are so fresh. Most dishes are prepared and cooked right in front of you. 

Samgyeopsal

In restaurants do you have to use chopsticks or are knives and forks available as well?

Restaurants in Korea have a box on the table filled with chopsticks and spoons. Most places today have forks and knives if needed. Sometimes, the waitress/waiter may see a foreign customer struggling with chopsticks and give them a fork. But do give chopsticks a try! I was so clumsy at first but now after practice and determination even my husband is surprised how well I eat with them. 

Other than traditional Korean dishes are any other types of food that are popular to eat in Korea?

Gimbap (seaweed rolls filled with rice, veggies and meat), haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), kalguksu (noodle soup in a clear broth), doenjang jjigae (tofu soup), and patbingsu (red beans with shaved ice). 

What are the best snacks to try from the convenience store?

I was a sucker for convenience store ice cream! Korean ice cream (not the traditional kind) is so creamy and not super sweet. Other great things to try are Nongshim shrimp crackers, Lotte Kancho biscuits, Pepero sticks, Orion choco pies, Nongshim banana kick, and Cosmos Wang Sora (my favorite!)

How much is it to rent a Hanbok for a day and where are the best places to rent a Hanbok from?

I’m not particularly sure about price but I do know you can rent them daily at historical sites such as Bukchon Hanok Village and Gwanghwamun Square. Some historical places will even let you enter for free if you’re wearing a hanbok! I rented one for my wedding which cost around 200,000 won. I had it custom fitted and was able to choose the colors and style.  

What are the best themed cafes to visit?

My husband and I visited the cat café in Myeongdong. They have over twenty cats! It was nice to enjoy a cup of coffee in the company of some new feline friends. There’s also a really neat design-your-own cellphone case café in Hongdae called DB Story Café that’s worth checking out.  

Where are the best places to go shopping?

Myeongdong has many Korean beauty shops as well as Uniqlo, H&M, and Zara. Garosu-gilis great for those who are looking for high-end designer brands. For traditional Korean gifts and unique items, I recommend Insadong and Namdaemun. Ewha Women’s University is another great shopping area. Plenty of unique boutiques and delicious street food vendors! The best place, however, to find great deals on clothing and accessories is the underground Express Bus Terminal mall. It’s ENORMOUS! You could spend a couple days just looking through every store. I’ve found tops for 10,000 won and accessories for less than 5,000 won. The downside at Express Bus Terminal is the majority of stores only offer “free size”. 

Namdaemun Market 

What is the best thing to do at night in Seoul?

Definitely check out the street food! Afterwards, head to a noraebong for some late night belting out of Adele or Big Bang. 

What does the average night out in Hongdae cost?

It depends on what you’re looking to do; hang out with a group of friends, date night, etc. My husband and I usually went out with a group of friends, it’s more fun that way! In South Korea, you go to three to four different places for drinking and eating. You can enjoy soju, beer, or both (called somaek 소맥). Bottle service is also available. Afterwards, you can go to a noraebong for some late night karaoke! A night like this can cost anywhere from 50,000 won to 200,000 won. It all comes down to how much you want to spend and how much you want to do.

Soju

Which Korean beauty stores should be on our itinerary?

I highly recommend Innisfree, Nature Republic, Skinfood, and Etude House. Innisfree and Nature Republic offer great natural skincare products. Innisfree has a green tea skincare line that I love and Nature Republic has the best sheet masks and hand cream. Skinfood sells heavenly smelling body wash, scrubs, and creams. Etude House has the cutest packaging ever! Their makeup line is feminine and colorful with lots of products to choose from. All of these brands are reasonably priced and sell high quality products.

What Korean beauty products would you suggest checking out and buying?

I would look into purchasing skincare products such as sheet makes, serums, essences, and treatment creams. Basically anything that may be hard to find or expensive where you live.  The popular new thing in skincare is cleansing sticks. I would suggest purchasing  one or two!

What are the best souvenir gifts to take back for friends and family?

I suggest bringing back traditional Korean made good such as fans, handkerchiefs, paintings, makeup pouches, scarves, etc. Their silk-work and paper crafts are gorgeous and very well made. Of course you have to bring back Gangnam Style and Kpop socks! 

I hope this is helpful for those of you who are wanting to travel to South Korea like me and needed some tips. I know it will help me when it comes to organising my trip :)

Where do you guys want to travel to in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

And a big thank you to Megan for helping me with the content for this post and giving such great advice for tourists and myself. Go send her some love over on her Instagram account ❤ 

See you on Wednesday lovelies!

Amy xx