* Written by SweetEe *
This is Part 3 and the last blogpost of my experience attending Kiehl’s Asia Symposium in Seoul, South Korea.
For previous posts, click the links below >
Kiehl’s Asia Symposium @ Seoul
Kiehl’s Asia Symposium @ Seoul: Day 2
Our media troupe were brought to The Raum at Gangnam-Gu for the symposium of Kiehl’s Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence.
After some quick research about The Raum, I was surprised to discover that it’s the first social venue ever in South Korea, whose planning itself took four whole years! Based on the developer’s philosophy and dedication to master craftsmanship, The Raum took three years to construct. Koreans and their dedication to perfection is definitely something I look up to.
That’s me! In my very questionable banana outfit.
We were ushered to be seated at our designated tables, each set up with bottles of the new Kiehl’s Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence and vases of lilies.
The new Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence is packaged in a convenient plastic bottle, which is perfect for clumsy people like me. This treatment water acts as a first step of anti-ageing treatment, or rather, first step of your usual beauty routine. It’s a method popularised by the Koreans (which we all agree are pretty advanced in their skin care). The ideal application is to use it on cleansed skin after toning, as it helps prepare the skin to efficiently receive the subsequent anti-ageing and hydration benefits of the following products applied.
“Anti-ageing” was a foreign term to me till I was 25 and could no longer ignore the increasing signs of my skin ageing – loss of glow and radiance, less supple, dull, rough skin texture, and the worst of all, visibility of fine lines..! This led to an overload of anti-ageing products in my beauty cabinet.
Some as young as 23 or 24 have to start preventing skin ageing issues earlier, due to lifestyle and environment, so make sure you get your skin tested regularly!
The Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence is REALLY easy to use, adding no more than 30 seconds into your daily facial regime. Simply pour a few drops into your palm, then gently pat and spread it onto your cheeks, forehead and chin. I would personally suggest to focus more on the drier parts of your skin, such as forehead and cheeks. It instantly soothes my skin, leaving it more supple and moisturised.
The treatment water penetrated into our skin within seconds upon application. It’s very light yet moisturises your skin instantly.
The key ingredients of this product which contribute to its multiple benefits are:
1. Iris Florentina Root Extract helps re-nourish the skin. Each iris florentina root is hand harvested from Spring to Autumn around the Mediterranean region (which was believed to provide the best iris plant). It’s the magic itself, known for its deeply nourishing benefit, preservation of skin quality and cohesion, protection of keratin integrity, and the reduction of visible lines and wrinkles. It also has the ability to increase deeper surface level hydration while improving barrier function to lock-in skin’s moisture for up to 24 hours post-application.
2. Lipo Hydroxy Acid (LHA), renew skin by activating skin’s natural exfoliation process. This ingredient helps remove dull and dead skin cells on the outer layers of the skin, and stimulates cell renewal to optimise penetration of the formula and subsequent skin treatments. It’s also highly lipo-soluble, meaning it diffuses better throughout the outer layer of the epidermis to reach dead skin cells precisely, yet gently removing them without irritating the skin. Which, is great for people with sensitive and thin skin.
3. Hydration is key to everything. Sodium Hyaluronate is used in this formula to replenish skin. It has the ability of holding up to 1000x its weight in water, which means it hydrates your skin and smooth fine lines instantly.
The result after numerous clinical and consumer testing.
Shortly after, the interview session with the Kiehl’s spokesperson started.
While waiting for our turn to arrive, the Kiehl’s team planned a flower arranging activity for us!
It was my first time arranging flowers in a tiny vase and I thought it would be pretty simple, you know, just arranging flowers right!?
Nope. One has to trim the branches and extra leaves, cut them to its suitable length, then carefully arrange it in a little pot. This was mine, after almost half an hour of struggling. I’m seriously not born for this.
Our interview session was short and straight-to-the-point.
Some media asked if we could use the treatment water as a face mask – by soaking cotton pads in it to apply onto the face as a mask, well.. the answer is yes and no. Of course it’s possible, but it wouldn’t make any drastic difference. It would be more effective if used daily right after your usual cleansing and toning routine, as it’s supposed to prep your skin for the rest of your beauty regime.
After the symposium, we were brought to Bicena at Yongsan-gu for our farewell lunch.
It was a really healthy lunch.
Namul mushrooms with melon in secret dressing.
Other members of the media next to our table.
Grilled black cod with rice. This was really good, the flavour of the cod was intense, yet packed with juiciness. I loved how the radish and cucumber balanced out the stronger flavour of the cod, whilst the rice soaked up all the cod-goodness.
A very traditional Korean dish – Doenjang stew with rice.
Doenjang is a kind of Korean soy bean paste, similar to miso and Chinese bean paste but in a different flavour.
Donut topped with glazed walnut and red bean paste filling was our final dessert.
The food portions may look small, but I was really satisfied. I wasn’t too full, nor feeling like I could go for another bowl of rice. Everything was just right.
So that wraps up my experience of attending Kiehl’s Asia Symposium in Seoul, South Korea.
After two days of intense information about Kiehl’s, an eye-opening experience to the company’s long and proud history, all the interview sessions with their dermatologists and spokespeople; I am so much more drawn to the brand than before after learning its efforts to introduce true quality products to its audience.
Kiehl’s stores are available in all major shopping malls in Malaysia. Don’t hesitate to walk in and enquire after any products you’re interested, the staff are well-trained and are always able to provide you great information and advice about your skin concerns.
In the mean time, check out their website and Facebook for any latest updates as well!
www.kiehlstime.com.my
www.facebook.com/kiehlsmalaysia
Find our more about my experience with Kiehl’s Asia Symposium here:
Kiehl’s Asia Symposium @ Seoul
Kiehl’s Asia Symposium @ Seoul: Day 2
