Mini-Ep 483: Soft Pants and Korean Skincare
Listeners call in to ask about Elise’s favorite Korean skincare brands. Plus, they discuss non-pilly soft pants, tooth whitening routines, traveling with liquids, and more.
Mentioned in this Episode
Etsy Seed growers
Toboco
Lip tint
Eyeshadow pallet
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Transcript
Doree Shafrir (00:10):
Hello and welcome to Forever35, a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves. I'm Doree Shafrir.
Elise Hu (00:17):
And I'm Elise Hu and we're just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums.
Doree Shafrir (00:20):
And this is a mini episode where we hear from you, we share your comments and your thoughts, and we answer your questions to the best of our ability. But please remember, we are podcast hosts. We are not experts, and we always urge you to seek support first and foremost from a medical and/or mental health professional as needed.
Elise Hu (00:39):
We have a lot of questions that we've gotten about burnout and relationships and things, and we're all doing the best we can. So we will try and guide you. But it's so funny that this disclaimer actually makes me think there's a bit of controversy. Have you heard that there's this controversy that Oprah has stepped into?
Doree Shafrir (00:59):
No.
Elise Hu (00:59):
Okay. So there was recently an episode of Oprah's podcast that's about setting boundaries with toxic family members. And I think that the advice, or there was plenty of advice of just like, go no contact or cut off this family member. But maybe it was too broad sweeping because then there have been a lot of Instagram psychologists who have come out to say, "It doesn't work in this case and you don't want to listen to a podcast and then make this decision that might be irreparable." But we all have different stuff on our feet, so I wouldn't know that. I only know this because Meredith, who's a friend of mine who is a psychologist and a behavioral, she's like an organizational psychologist, she brought it up with me. And I was like, had no idea. We all see completely different stuff.
Doree Shafrir (01:50):
That's so interesting. Wow. Okay. Okay.
Elise Hu (01:55):
So that's why it's a reminder every time it's like we're not experts.
Doree Shafrir (01:59):
We are definitely not experts. I don't even feel like an expert on my own life. Do you know what I mean? Let alone other people's lives.
Elise Hu (02:10):
But we are, I feel like warm and affectionate toward the community. I don't think that we're trying to steer you wrong. Yes,
Doree Shafrir (02:18):
Totally. 100%. A hundred percent. Yes. What else is happening with you?
Elise Hu (02:24):
I am back from the desert. It was restorative. I feel great. Did I tell you I got a massage? I can't remember when we taped our casual chat in which I was still out at the desert, but I got a massage and this massage table was brilliant and it was designed by a woman clearly because it had a boob elevator where when you're lying face down, it'll adjust lower for your chest so that you don't feel like you're getting a mammogram when you're face down, like you're not having to press your tatas against the table. So it was so lovely. And then also when you were face down, they had this beautiful succulent that you could look at if your eyes weren't closed underneath your face. And then they had like, you could choose which scent that was getting sort of infused into the air.
(03:16)
You could choose among four different ones. And then after that, as a gift from the spa, whichever scent you chose, they presented it in a roller form. So you had a little take home roller from your massage. It was really lovely.
Doree Shafrir (03:32):
Wow.
Elise Hu (03:33):
Yeah. But other people got different services. And another gal who got a different service did something, it was called like functional fascia, or I don't remember, but it was basically just a large, strong man who stretched you limb from limb. And he would just stretch your body in all these ways that needed to be stretched. And I really missed out on that one because I could use it now. I'm so sore, so sore.
Doree Shafrir (03:58):
Wow.
Elise Hu (03:58):
Even after the massage.
Doree Shafrir (04:00):
Okay. Sometimes a hard massage will make you even more sore.
Elise Hu (04:05):
And maybe that's what it's supposed to do. Somebody was like, going to move stuff around. I don't know.
Doree Shafrir (04:12):
I mean, I guess you don't want to feel like your insides have been rearranged, but ...
Elise Hu (04:20):
I didn't have anybody who was really pressing down on me that much, but she was lovely and we chatted a little bit. It wasn't completely silent. Do you chat during your massages or do you like to just be completely silent?
Doree Shafrir (04:34):
I don't like to chat. I usually try to imply that I'm not up for chatting by just giving sort of like monosyllabic answers. There have been a couple times where I have said the person is really trying to chat with me and I'm really just trying to relax and I kind of just want to close my eyes and they totally ... I mean, that's like their job. They get it. You can say the same thing to a hairstylist who wants to chat and sometimes you just want to zone out because some people do like to chat
Elise Hu (05:10):
While
Doree Shafrir (05:10):
They're getting a service like that. And sometimes you don't. I mean, that's just how I feel. I like to just sort of like zone out.
Elise Hu (05:19):
It was different for me. Because typically I get so many services from Koreans that we never chat because we don't speak the same language. But in this case, this woman with English as a first language, and so she was like chatting me up and I thought, okay. But it definitely did feel different because usually I fall asleep. And in this case, we were like talking about the history of the property and whether I played golf and how long she's been in Palm Springs. Yeah.
Doree Shafrir (05:52):
I mean, that does feel slightly different because I'm sure you were sort of interested in what
Elise Hu (05:58):
Was
Doree Shafrir (05:58):
Going on.
Elise Hu (05:59):
Yeah, I guess. I mean, I did apply a little bit of a journalistic or anthropological lens to this whole experience because I kind of wasn't supposed to be there. It was for all tennis influencers. I was just there to take up this last minute spot and it wasn't until the first dinner where I realized everybody else there was like a content creator. And this explains why people's plus ones were Instagram husbands who were
Doree Shafrir (06:28):
Like- Oh, that's so funny.
Elise Hu (06:30):
... shooting them as they were moving across the property and all these things.
Doree Shafrir (06:35):
Wow. Have you seen any of the content that they made?
Elise Hu (06:40):
I don't follow them. So I mean, I don't know them that well. There's this one girl who's grown to a rather modest following, but just from filming her tennis journey, like going from-
Doree Shafrir (06:51):
Wow. ...
Elise Hu (06:53):
Not playing tennis at all to now playing a little bit of tennis and her husband was there to capture everything. And then Jess Pagula, one of the top ranked women, she came and taught a clinic and so there's pictures of her in Pagula. So I saw a little bit of hers and then there was a big model there who I didn't realize was a big model. I mean, she looked like one, but she has like a million followers or something. And I don't know all the influencers among us because there are so many. I mean, all of Ava's friends from Brat TV have a million followers. And I hadn't heard of them in my life. So this goes back to the original point about Oprah Daily and the controversy. We see so much different stuff from each other.
Doree Shafrir (07:40):
Yes, yes, yes, yes. So interesting.
Elise Hu (07:45):
Yeah.
Doree Shafrir (07:47):
Well, Elise, we got a text from someone who heard our call out from the person who wanted info on how to buy seeds and-
Elise Hu (08:01):
Yeah, and boxes. ...
Doree Shafrir (08:01):
Stuff for their window boxes. Yeah. And someone said, "Get seeds from farmers/growers on Etsy, good prices and unusual species."
Elise Hu (08:13):
I have never thought to do that. Me neither. Incredible.
Doree Shafrir (08:16):
I mean, not that I'm looking for seeds, but I thought it was interesting.
Elise Hu (08:19):
Okay. That is interesting. Cool. Thank you. Good tip.
Doree Shafrir (08:23):
Good tip. And then we also got a voicemail that I want to play before we take a break. And this is in response to someone who was looking for info on starting a skincare routine, if you recall that question as well. Hi,
Listener Voicemail (08:39):
Elise and Doree. I was just calling in response to the listener who is wanting to get into a little bit more of a skincare routine. A few years ago, I asked a similar question in one of the Forever35 Facebook groups and was directed to a website called Skincare by Sydney. And she offers a free quiz where you answer questions about your skin and your goals, and then she will send you a routine based on your skin type. And she offered steps with drug store products and then also higher end products. So you could pick and choose if you wanted to just spend a little money or really invest in those products. And I thought that was a really good starting place for me to know the kinds of products that I should be using and where I could find them. And again, that was all free from her.
(09:40)
I'm sure if you use her links to purchase the products, there's some sort of kickback for her, but I think that's a really great starting point for someone just getting into skincare. Anyway, I hope this listener finds some great products and really starts to love a skincare routine. Great tip.
Elise Hu (09:57):
Thank you.
Doree Shafrir (09:58):
Okay. Thank you for that website recommendation. And yeah, I'm sure that they use affiliate links, but I feel like that's kind of like how they get paid, especially if they're doing the quiz for free. All right. Well, before we take a break, just a reminder, you can call or text us at 781-591-0390, and you can email us at forever35podcast@gmail.com. And also a reminder that our website is forever35podcast.com. We have links there to everything we mention on the show. We are on Instagram at Freber35 podcast and our Patreon is patreon.com/fre35. We do our weekly casual chats, which are now on video. So if you want to see our lovely faces, you can get our casual chats on video, patreon.com/freber35. We also do our monthly pop culture recommendations episodes. We just put a new one up last week, and we have a chat going in the Patreon app with those pop culture recs.
(10:59)
We also do ad-free episodes. We also have our newsletter at the free tier. So if you're just kind of Patreon curious, you can sign up for our free tier and get our newsletter. So check all of that out at patreon.com/forever35. And then after the break, we have a question for Elise about Korean skincare
(11:21)
And some de- influencing on a product that was recommended on this very show.
Elise Hu (11:29):
Okay.
Doree Shafrir (11:29):
I'll leave you all in suspense about what that might be. All
Elise Hu (11:32):
Right. Stay tuned.
Doree Shafrir (11:33):
All right. We'll take a break. We'll be right back. All right. We are back. Elise, here's the email that is mostly directed to you.
Elise Hu (11:49):
Okay.
Doree Shafrir (11:49):
Hi, Jorian Elise. A new Asian cosmetics and skincare store has opened up near me and it is equal parts fascinating and overwhelming. I was hoping that Elise could give some recommendations on Korean brands and products that she loves and that I can keep an eye out for. I remember Elise mentioning a cushion compact, but I can't remember what else she loves and I'm keen to try some new products. I'm drawn to Toboko, but only because I like their branding and packaging. Any suggestions would be super helpful. Also, on the topic of shows to watch while going through the IVF process, this may be a little dark, though sometimes the journey gets a little dark, but I like watching The Handmaid's Tale. Where not being able to have a baby was the norm. I was probably a few egg retrievals into the process with nothing working when I watched this, but it made me feel less alone at the time.
(12:39)
I also want to say that Matt and Dora's excellent adventure really got me through that time in my life. I was really in the thick of it when I came across your podcast and following your journey at the same time was so, so helpful. So a big thank you. Oh my
Elise Hu (12:51):
Gosh,
Doree Shafrir (12:51):
Thank you. That is so nice.
Elise Hu (12:53):
That's great. And you're still making Matt and 's excellent adventure, right?
Doree Shafrir (12:58):
We record our regular main feed episodes kind of sporadically. It's gotten down to like a once a month cadence, I would say, but we still have a Patreon and we do two Patreon episodes every month as well. So it's still pretty active on the Patreon.
Elise Hu (13:17):
Great.
Doree Shafrir (13:19):
It got to be a lot and we're also not going ... We haven't gone through IVF in a few years and so we didn't like make an official announcement about anything, but it just sort of seems to be like slowing down naturally. So that's the status.
Elise Hu (13:35):
Okay. To the question about skincare brands that I like in K Beauty. For makeup, I really like this brand called Rome and ND. It's R-O-M, just it looks like Rom and ND. They have great tints, lip tints, and their eyeshadow palettes are fantastic and I would totally, totally recommend that. My cushion that I use is actually from Mac, but it's muled to me from Singapore because my face, my skin is too dark for the cushions, a lot of the cushion brands that I like from Korean skincare companies. But the cushion compact that I think is good from Korea besides the Lenege one is by Jung Semul, that's J-U-N-G-S-S-A-E, Mu, and that is the name of a makeup artist who became like really huge. She's like the Bobby Brown of Korea. And she has a really great CC cushion compact or her line has a great CC cushion compact.
(14:39)
And I'm a devotee of Jung Semal because there's also Jung Semul salons in three or four places in Seoul. And my hair person there was at a Jung Semul and I still go see her when I'm back in Korea. Juhi, what's up Juhi? And she's fantastic. And Juhi knew people at a salon here in Koreatown, LA, which then helped me get all hooked up to my K beauty services here in LA. It's because they kind of all are connected across the pond. And so anyway, Jung Semul, good CC cushions, Roman ND for makeup, for skincare, the Medicube PDRN serum is very hot right now. If you want to try PDRN, I brought some back a few years ago and I think PDRN is more effective when shot in your face, frankly, like in the form of a juron. Oh, interesting.
(15:34)
I mean, and most of these things are, right? But because hyaluronic acid, same thing. They were like shooting hyaluronic acid in faces and you could see like an immediate difference. But if you want to try PDRN, MediCube makes a good one. And then the other brand that Koreans love, which I haven't seen as much here in the US, is Toridin, T-O-R-R-I-D-E-N. And they make an awesome hyaluronic acid called DiveIn or it's in their dive-in line and I always use that when I travel because I need a little bit more because as y'all know, I don't have a multi-step skincare routine. I just try and stay really hydrated, especially when I'm in super dry places like the desert. And so, and in addition, one more thing on sheet masks, because everybody loves a sheet mask, Metaheal is the kind of sheet mask that I like. And I hate that name because it problematizes our skin.
(16:31)
It's like meta heel, AKA, something's wrong with you, which Dory I think talked about in a recent episode. Nothing's wrong with you, but if you want to just have a sheet mask on your face for moisturizing and to feel like the relaxation of it, then I like Metaheel sheet masks.
Doree Shafrir (16:48):
Okay. Thank you, Elise.
Elise Hu (16:49):
Yeah. Got you.
Doree Shafrir (16:50):
I love that you are the resident Korean skincare expert.
Elise Hu (16:54):
You can also pick up my book if you want to hear the history of all this. I
Doree Shafrir (16:57):
Was going to say, you did literally write a book. Okay. Elise, do you want to read this next text?
Elise Hu (17:06):
Okay. Hi, Dora and Elise reaching out with some not so great news about the old navy bounce flees. Oh, no. I was obsessed when I first got it. I bought a set of joggers and a half sip. I wanted to get more in every color. Pretty quickly though, it started to pill despite washing it inside out and air drying. My set is only a few months old and it's so pilly that I won't wear it out of the house. It looks awful. I'm so bummed. It's so comfy and flattering, but this is a fatal flaw. Question to you and the listeners, is there another option that will hold up better? I've considered Spanx air essentials, but no pockets is an issue. Plus reviews say they peel badly too. Ugh. Would love any wrecks for a comfy and cute set that doesn't deteriorate after just a few washes.
(17:53)
Thanks. Love you guys in the pod. I am bummed to hear that. I am so turning off, Rob. Every time I wear my old Navy bounce flea set, but I love it and I continue to wear it. I mean, I guess in a couple months it will really show its wear and tear, but I've had my varley half zip since Christmas and it's still looking great. And so you can get varley sets. It's just at a price point that I didn't like. I only have that half zip because Rob's mom bought it for me for Christmas. I didn't want to-
Doree Shafrir (18:31):
Does Rob hate coziness?
Elise Hu (18:33):
What does he
Doree Shafrir (18:33):
Have against the bounce, please?
Elise Hu (18:36):
He's like, yeah, it's not his thing. I love coziness, but he's like, "Do you have to wear soft pants every day?" And the answer is yes. Yes, I do have to wear soft pants every day. It's now become this running joke. What was the nickname for my bounce fleece outfit? What's that casino? Yamava. Oh yeah. Yamava Casinos in resorts. Oh, there's more. And also, Elise, I'm sorry to hear about Oscar's latest surgery. I also have a dumb dog. Thank goodness she's cute, Si.
Doree Shafrir (19:12):
How is Oscar doing, by the way? We haven't had an Oscar update in a few minutes.
Elise Hu (19:16):
We got him a muzzle because the vets who have had to operate him, operate on him, recommend that he just be in a muzzle.
Doree Shafrir (19:24):
All
Elise Hu (19:24):
The
Doree Shafrir (19:24):
Time.
Elise Hu (19:24):
Yeah, in order to prevent accidents, because who knows? Oh, wow. We got him a muzzle, but there's muzzle training required for him to get used to having it on his face. And so he'll wear it for a little bit and then I'll take it off. And then yesterday or the day before, Rob told me that Oscar had eaten through the clip, the clasp of his muzzle. So now it doesn't work.
Doree Shafrir (19:49):
Oh my God. Because
Elise Hu (19:51):
It was off his face at some point. So we have to get him a new one. That is the update. Is he still with us? Yes, for now. Always a journey.
Doree Shafrir (20:00):
Always a journey. Okay. We have a voicemail on a different topic, a non-Oscar topic.
Listener Voicemail (20:09):
Great. Hi, Doree and Elise. I had a quick question about shampoo bars. I'm really curious about trying shampoo bars just to reduce my use of plastic, but I'm worried about not having as nice of hair at the end. I've gotten really comfortable with the type of shampoo I use and I really love having nice soft hair. So I'm just curious about if either of you have tried shampoo bars or if there's other listeners who'd like to chime in with other shampoo bars they might've used that have left them with great results. All right. Thanks so much.
Elise Hu (20:47):
Bye. I haven't. I respect that impulse to try and reduce consumption and reduce the amount of plastic that you're using. My response to that, because I also feel that has just been to wash my hair less. So I'm washing my hair every three days sometimes. My hair person was like every other day, but now I'll go longer because it'll really stretch out the amount of shampoo that you use. Yeah,
Doree Shafrir (21:12):
Totally.
Elise Hu (21:13):
And then I use a dry shampoo in between if I need, if I'm feeling like I'm getting oily at the crown. But I haven't tried. What about you, Dor?
Doree Shafrir (21:22):
I have not used a shampoo bar.
Elise Hu (21:24):
Okay.
Doree Shafrir (21:26):
So I have no recommendations, but I know shampoo bars have definitely come up before and I know people had recommendations. So if you are someone who has recommendations on a shampoo bar, please show yourselves and let us know what you like. Okay. One more text that we got before we take another break, and this is for me. Candle warmer question for doory. Are we supposed to be dumping the wax after it's melted? How frequently, how much? How am I doing this dumping exactly without getting hot wax everywhere? I don't dump my hot wax. I let it re-solidify. I also, I wonder if you have your candle warmer on too high of a setting.
Elise Hu (22:15):
Yeah, because it shouldn't really liquefy, right?
Doree Shafrir (22:17):
It shouldn't really liquefy. Yeah. Mine doesn't really liquefy exactly. It gets soft, but it's not like a puddle. So maybe try turning yours down a little. The one I have, you can adjust how intense the light is. And actually, mine was about a little past halfway on the dial. So definitely not as intense as it is capable of. So maybe just check that. And if you don't have one where you can adjust it, I don't know. But it does sound like it might be a little hot. So that's my only thought. Okay. We're going to take another little break. And when we come back, we have a packing question, which I feel like Elise, you're kind of our packing guru.
Elise Hu (23:09):
Love, love a packing question.
Doree Shafrir (23:11):
Great. So you might be the one answering this one. All right. We will be right back. Okay. We are back. And here's the question. Hi, I usually travel without checking in a suitcase, which is great, except that a quart-sized bag never seems like nearly enough space to pack my liquids. I don't like to buy products after arriving at a destination, so I'm wondering if you ladies or listeners have tips on how to pack fewer liquids, and thanks Elise for recommending travel cubes.
Elise Hu (23:48):
Love a cube. Love a cube. Yeah. I remember doing some reporting on packing for another episode of NPR's Life Kit and interviewing the around the world person for the New York Times. A few years ago, the New York Times had this person who went to 52 places in the world in 52 weeks or something. And she said to me something I won't forget, which is that liquids obviously weigh a lot more than solids. And so she never packed liquids. Anytime she got to a destination, she would just figure it out. But you're saying that you don't like to buy more products after arriving at a destination. So if you want to bring your own, my advice is to edit as much as possible. So if there are products that you don't have to have if you're away just for a weekend, don't bother bringing them.
(24:41)
Things like sunscreen for your body, right? Most places have that if you're out by the pool, there are sunscreen jugs or things or those pump, what do you call it? Pump bottles. And then if you get those travel packs for your quart-sized bag at a CVS or any drug store, they come with all those mini bottles and things. So you can just kind of figure out, you can use your full size things to fill those out. And that's how I usually travel with my cleanser and hair conditioner. I like a certain kind of hair conditioner. Those travel with me when I go in any places. And then the other is a lot of times if you do buy something at Sephora and you get samples, the samples are in those little packets rather than a full bottle because it's such a limited amount. You could always bring those with you if it's like body lotion or something that you want to bring.
(25:43)
But ask yourself what is going to be at the destination that you're fine to live with. Maybe that's body lotion. Maybe that's the sunscreen at the pool. And if that's the case, you don't have to pack them with you. And then when you can, and then for the things that you want to travel with for sure, fit them into those little bottles and don't fill them all the way up. Only fill them the amount that you need for the length of your trip.
Doree Shafrir (26:12):
Okay.
Elise Hu (26:12):
Yeah. I try to reduce liquids as much as possible.
Doree Shafrir (26:16):
Yeah. I decant into smaller. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
Elise Hu (26:25):
I forgot to bring moisturizer to the desert face moisturizer. I got there and I was like, I guess I'm going to have to put this body lotion on my face, but it wasn't great. It wasn't great. So the next day we got a swag bag and what was in the swag bag?
Doree Shafrir (26:41):
Moisture.
Elise Hu (26:42):
The water cream. Oh my
Doree Shafrir (26:42):
Gosh, that's a lovely moisturizer. Yes.
Elise Hu (26:45):
Yeah.
Doree Shafrir (26:46):
It actually might be a little light for the desert.
Elise Hu (26:49):
I had to open it. I love it. I mean, I could have kept it and given it to somebody as a gift, but then I was like, "Nope, I actually need this right
Doree Shafrir (26:58):
Now." The other thing that I find I always need in the desert, like copious amounts of is lip balm. Your
Elise Hu (27:08):
Lips get so
Doree Shafrir (27:09):
Dry.
Elise Hu (27:11):
Absolutely.
Doree Shafrir (27:11):
Also, what's funny is, just as an aside, I feel like the way that we feel like our skin and our lips get so dry when we go to the desert is how people from other places feel when they come to LA. Everyone's always like, "I stand so dry." And I'm like, "I'm used to it at this point." But people are very surprised by that. Okay. Last question or comment. Regarding the collar who asked about teeth whitening/enamel health, I recommend that the collar check their dental insurance to see how many cleanings they'll cover per year. My insurance covers four cleanings per year, still two exams per year. I now go every three months where every other cleaning I am seen by the dentist. I'm also a dedicated tea drinker and I've noticed my teeth are whiter with this routine.
Elise Hu (28:00):
Oh, I have to look at that. I think my insurance only covers two. I'm pretty sure I had a conversation with insurance about this once when I was asking about reimbursements,
Doree Shafrir (28:09):
But
Elise Hu (28:09):
Check your insurance.
Doree Shafrir (28:10):
Check your insurance. If you have insurance, check your insurance. Yeah.
Elise Hu (28:15):
Yeah. So she's saying you could get more cleanings than exams.You could get two exams, but four cleanings. Yeah.
Doree Shafrir (28:21):
Yes, yes, yes. Exactly. Exactly.
Elise Hu (28:23):
Okay. Good tip. Thanks.
Doree Shafrir (28:25):
All right. Well, thanks everyone so much. Thanks for your questions and your comments and we will talk to you soon. Take care.
Elise Hu (28:32):
Bye.
Doree Shafrir (28:32):
Bye.