Generation Beauty by Ipsy, Part 1

Hello everyone!

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Generation Beauty, created by Ipsy. As a volunteer, I helped out at two booths (Artis and Briogeo). It was an interesting experience watching so many people attend this convention. I was able to see some creators, such as Charlotte Cho from Soko Galm and Wengie. As a volunteer, I also received a gift bag from Ipsy, fully of wonderful goodies. The PR people at Artis and Briogeo were very nice and even gifted me a brush and hair mask at the end of my shift. 

Being at this convention made me really want to attend it and get all the goodies available. I was able to talk to a couple of people who were attending the event and their shared their crazy waiting in line stories and all the products they were able to get. 

Gen Beauty tickets are about $99 and early access tickets are about $40 more (based on what people have told me). I think the early access tickets are worth it since you are able to enter the convention an hour earlier than regular tickets, which can really make a difference. The lines for larger brands, such as Makeup Forever, Tarte, and Ciate, are very long. One of the girls I talked to was in Mac's virtual line, but was unable to get in even at the end of the day and had to reline up the next day. From what I saw during early access, there are significantly less people walking around and you don't even need to wait at the smaller booths. When the entire convention was open, some smaller booths had 15-30 minute waiting lines. 

I am currently preparing for my first organic chemistry test of the semester, so I don't have time to take pictures of everything in my gift bag. So stay tuned to see what I got! 

Thanks so much for reading. I'll see you soon!

~Claudia

A New Beginning + Innisfree Grand Opening

Hello everyone!

It's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for not posting in a very long time, but I want to start posting more often now.

First, I have changed my URL and blog name from cloudyethereal to theseoulmatecafe. I also have a new instagram: @theseoulmatecafe. I will update my contact info, so stay tuned for that! 

The content of my blog will be similar in that I will be posting about beauty and dramas. As you may have noticed, I started posting more Korean brands and Korean dramas, which is why I wanted to change my URL to something that reflects that more. 

Now, onto the post!

Innisfree's Grand Opening in NYC!

Innisfree is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands… actually, it’s my absolute favorite. But the struggle of living in the US is that there isn’t an Innisfree store. There are stores that sell some of their products, but not all of them…. Until now!

I first heard of Innisfree’s first store in America during KCON NY in June, and boy was I excited. The store had its grand opening last Friday and it was filled with many freebies. The first 100 guests in line received a free deluxe gift box, worth over $300, with a purchase of at least $20. The first 3,000 guests received a free eco-tote (with three different designs) with a purchase of at least $20. Additionally, a free face mask was given for showing your student id or the wristband from their KCON booth. Posting a picture from inside the store or the gif made from their gif maker on the second floor with the hashtag #innisfreeusa was another free face mask. With the purchase of $30, you were given a free deluxe sample, 2 for $50, and 3 for $70 or more.

Free face masks and deluxe samples

Of course I tried to be the first 100 in line, but that was extremely difficult…. I was number 105 in line… Very salty about it (many people got there early but some people came later and joined their friends in line, who were holding their place). I arrived there at 6:30 am and there were about 80 people in line in front of me. Within about 2 hours, before the Innisfree staff came to regulate the line, I was pushed back to 105. The Innisfree staff didn’t arrive until 7:30am and didn’t start regulating the line until about 8 or 8:30. They tried their best to stop people from cutting the line, but it was very difficult for them as those cutters would say they “went to the bathroom” or “went to get coffee.” The Innifsfree staff were very friendly and tried to comfort me and my friends who were very salty about it.

The store officially opened at 10, but I wasn’t able to get inside until 11. I had seen the store from outside the night before when I tried to meet Jenn Im (She had a meet and greet in the store the night before. Sadly, I wasn’t able to meet her and was compensated with 2 free sheet masks. Nothing seems to be working out for me, huh.), but actually going inside was amazing. There were real plants on the wall, giving it a very natural and Jeju Island vibe (which I think was what they were going for). On one side of the wall, they displayed all their cushion compacts and eye shadows. On the other side, they all their different skincare lines, such as green tea and orchid. The middle of the store had all their other products such as lip products, mascaras, eyeliners, and sunscreen.

Image taken from Innisfree USA instagram

Image taken from Innisfree USA instagram

I got color matched for their cushions and got their matte cushion with their Air Magic puff (cover). I’ve worn this cushion twice and it seems okay to me. So far, I’ve only used it with the puff I bought in the store, but it makes my makeup look slightly cakey. I have their Air Magic puff (glow), which I will try with the cushion, so hopefully it’ll fix the cakey look. I have to dip into the cushion a couple of times for a medium coverage and still use concealer for my darker spots.

Moisturizer

Pore care kit

Welcome Kit

Overall I had a fun experience, minus the cutting in line. I made two new friends waiting in line and found out we had so much in common. I was also able to chat with two of the staff members, which was very pleasant. Outside the doors of the store, two very good looking employees stood there regulating the line, gotta love some eye candy lol.

Will I be back? OF COURSE! How could I not? I’m so excited about this new access to Innisfree products and plan to make good use of it.

Let me know what Innisfree products you love or would like to try!

Thank so much for reading. I'll see you next time!

~Claudia