Flawless
A Love, California Series Novel, Book 1

I'm an Asian American that grew up in the South during the height of poolside lounging and tanning beds. While I rarely participated in the latter, I definitely used to do plenty of the former. This logic does not hold true in Asia. I didn't grow up submersed in Asian culture. If anything, I rebelled......more

A great book about the K-Beauty industry. Elise Hu’s writing is wonderful in that it feels both conversational and easy-to-read while also capturing nuance and complexity. She describes aspects of the K-Beauty industry such as skin care routines and makeup products as well as plastic surgery and cos......more

I like how Elise Hu ponders the thin line between enjoying beauty products, spas, as well as exploring aesthetics, and lookism as sexism, as a means to control and ultimately oppress women, because the thing is: How do you know where your personal desire to express yourself through your appearance e......more

Do you remember a few years ago when Korean beauty routines became all the rage? BB cream, cushion foundations, sheet masks, oil cleanser, essences, ampoules and toner - at one point or another, I’ve tried all of these products. Many of them still remain in my routine, so as one who has been wholly......more

This was a fascinating take on Korean beauty norms and the rigid standards they set for women there. Increasingly for men as well, but more variation is accepted for males. For women, there is only one ideal, although it keeps changing so that keeping up with the trend is taxing. It’s also expensive......more