Korean beauty company, TONIC15, came about from founder Jin Kwon’s attempt to establish balance in her life by dedicating 15-minutes to ‘me time’ every day.
As such, TONIC15 emerged; giving K-Beauty a new global platform. There’s a lot of misconceptions surrounding K Beauty: namely ‘the 10-step skincare routine and quirky animal ingredients with kitschy packaging’ Jin tells us. Instead, ‘what you actually see in Korea nowadays is the flourish of plant-based, vegan skincare brands with beautiful packaging and sustainability at their core’, Jin continues.
Jin scrupulously chooses each and every new brand ensuring their ethos matches that of TONIC15 and that products are filled with efficacious ingredients to simplify and streamline busy consumers’ skincare regimes.
Equipped with her favourite tinctures we delve into Jin Kwon’s on-the-go beauty rituals.
What are your must do beauty rituals/treatments before you travel?
I get a mani/pedi and my brows done one or two days before my trip. Right before heading to the airport, I take a bath – or a shower if I’m short on time – with an ultra-hydrating face mask like I’m From Honey Mask. I try to keep my skin as hydrated as possible, and to feel as refreshed and relaxed as I can before getting onto the plane.
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How do you adapt your beauty regime when you travel?
I don’t change much of my routine. One of the main characteristics of Korean beauty is that it’s very much focused on hydrating, barrier-strengthening, and soothing – and so is my daily routine. Korean products also tend to be results-driven whilst still being gentle on skin so there are a lot of multi-tasking formulas available. Therefore my daily skincare routine tends to be simple, so I don’t need to adjust it while travelling. I do tend to spritz a moisturising mist more often when I am travelling to give my skin an extra hit of hydration.
What is the best way to downsize your beauty products for travel?
If it’s a long trip, I order toothpaste, haircare, and body products online before I depart – either the specific brands that are my current staples, or local products that I’ve wanted to try – so that they can be delivered to where I’m staying when I arrive.
Do you prefer to pack travel minis or full-size beauty staples? And why?
I always pack travel minis because I can usually fit my entire skincare routine into one travel pouch – from skincare, to hair, and body care. Also, if I use up the minis, then I have room in my suitcase to bring home any local products I want to try or re-stock.
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Do you have a regular plane beauty routine?
I pack a few cleansing pads in my carry-on to remove my SPF and impurities when I’m on the plane. Gesgep Bare Pad is a great on-the-go cleanser as you don’t need to rinse it off. I spritz Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist frequently to keep my skin hydrated. It’s an oil-water mist that acts like a mist, toner, and serum in one. I also apply Huxley Good Night Overnight Mask for extra hydration. I always keep my lip balm, hand sanitiser, and hand cream to hand as well.
How do you unwind on holiday?
I’m a big fan of spas. I always look for a spa or a hot spring to visit wherever I travel. I normally book my accommodation to include an oversized bathtub, so that I can take a bath with a facial mask. I always bring a few facial masks in travel-size. I also love finding yoga studios locally, and often do a session in the morning or take a long walk.
What has been you favourite vacation spa so far and why?
So many! Two of the most memorable ones were Hacienda Na Xamena in Ibiza, which was located on a cliff with a sea view, and The Cambrian Adelboden in Switzerland with stunning views of the Swiss Alps. They’re very different views but both were breathtaking.
How do you overcome jet-lag skin when you land?
Keeping myself hydrated and getting a good quality of sleep is a key, so I drink lots of water, restrict how much caffeine I have, and eat very light foods on the first day of my arrival. I also take a bath with a face mask to help my mind and body relax. I’m From Mugwort Mask is my favourite mask, because it soothes dehydrated and tired skin post-flight. For my eyes, I like to cool hydrogel patches like Dr. Ceuracle Hyal Reyouth Hydrogel Eye Mask in the freezer before applying them. The cold really supercharges the de-puffing and rejuvenating benefits.
What are your top skincare make-up/hair tips when travelling?
I always bring By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash with me when I travel to gently exfoliates and removes dry, dead skin, and blackheads so my skin will feel smooth and clear. It’s also easy to decant and store in your carry-on since it’s a powder form.
I also bring an aloe vera gel with me. Whenever my skin, body, or scalp, gets sensitised, irritated, or overheated from the sun, aloe vera gel is my go-to because it’s so great at soothing and cooling your skin temperature. I also swear by a mist. It’s such a great, multi-functioning product because it not only hydrates and rejuvenates tired skin in a flash, but it is also great to prep and set skin for make up.
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What is your favourite location to shop for homegrown beauty?
I know I’m biased but I absolutely love shopping for beauty products in Korea; the innovation always fascinates me. There are so many beautiful, emerging brands with interesting products popping up, so there’s always something new that I want to try when I’m in Korea. I’ve also been exploring more Australian beauty products since I’ve been based here. I love the natural ingredients, and how the products reflect the relaxed and laid-back way of life.
What’s on your beauty wish list right now?
A dermatologist visit for a skin treatment when I’m back to Korea! I’d love to try a new skin-tightening treatment.
THE PACKING LOWDOWN
Travel light or over-packer?
Light when I’m on holiday and over-packer when I’m on a business trip.
Spa facial or massage?
Massage
Vacation air-dry or blow-dry?
Air-dry.
Fake tan or au naturel?
Au Naturel.
Desert island beauty product?
Any Questions or Tips to add?