K-Beauty Belongs to Everyone: Reflections on a Lost Weekend

Today is going to be a very short post, because frankly, all I want to do is curl up in a blanket with some hot cocoa and a sheet mask, and watch snow falling for the first time in 8 years.

Yes, that's a backup supply of marshmallows in case they melt too fast. Don't judge me.
Instead I'm typing here with cold-stiffened fingers while I'm waiting for my new wireless handwarmers (they're little toasts!) to charge, and my heart is too heavy for reviews or tales of K-Beauty adventures today.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you may be aware that it's been a really eventful week; if not, I recommend that you check out this follow-up piece on Fashionista or the one from The Frisky.  Two other members from The Snailcast who were also impacted have already shared their thoughts:  Tracy of Fanserviced-b here, and Fiddy of Fifty Shades of Snail here.

However, I'm not going to write about what happened, because for one it's already been well-covered at length in the links above, but for another, it's a sad truth that moments where someone attempts to hijack the influence or credibility of a blogger for their own gain are sadly not uncommon.  To be honest, I'm still troubled by the fact that people are trying to infer that the absence of one thing implies the presence of another, namely inferring that my objection to my work being appropriated to promote a political agenda (without my consent) is an indicator of my stance on said politics.

The thing is, I've never said what my politics are, and there's a very good reason for that: that's not what this blog is about.  Do I have opinions and beliefs outside of K-Beauty?  Well, I'm an adult human, so that goes without saying.  They have no place here, though; this blog is not a tool for politics, not even my own.  Therefore, my politics are, and will remain, private, and I don't appreciate people exploiting my silence on them as tacit permission to fill in their own narrative about what they might be (or not be.)

So in the light of all this, I'd like to make a statement about politics of ... K-Beauty, since that's, well y'know, what this blog is about.

K-Beauty is for everyone; it belongs to the people.

It does not belong to the shops, to the magazines, to the professional trend-watchers, to those seeking to capitalize on it.  It belongs to the fans, to those of us who connect with one another through social media, blogs, forums- striking up friendships and connections with people around the world as we engage through our mutual love of Asian beauty products.  K-Beauty did not become a "thing" through the machinations of business people, its evolution into the prominent force it is today is due to the international community that nurtured its growth.

K-Beauty is about sharing reviews and new discoveries with one another, developing communal knowledge, and silly Instagram hashtags that invite people to be part of the conversation, to be part of the narrative.  It's not about stealing people's ideas for profit, whether that profit is monetary gain, credibility, or exposure.

That community, that culture of connection, has been the light in the darkness this week; for all of you who have reached out to me for reassurance that things are ok, and to reassure me that things are ok, I am so grateful that we're all in this together.  Now let's go get #sheetfaced.

Have something you'd like to share with me?  Hit me up on Facebook or Twitter, or even better, snap a pic and tag me on Instagram at @snowwhiteandtheasianpear because I'd love to see it!

All the best,
-Cat

P.S. Someone asked me where the handwarmers were from, they're on Amazon for around $45 for the fancy wireless ones, the type I have is "Butta" but they have other faces as well.

**Disclaimer: All products reviewed/mentioned in my blog, unless expressly stated to be press samples which were provided for honest review, are 100% purchased with my own money; regardless of their origin, my opinions are entirely my own.  This blog contains  both affiliate and non-affiliate links, and clicking the former before you shop means that this blog will receive a small commission to assist in this blog supporting itself.  Please see my Contact Info & Disclaimer policy for more information.

6 comments

  1. I love your blog. I've purchased quite a few of your recommendations. I have naturally good skin, but I'm 54 and worshipped the sun in my youth. I'm following an extensive routine and it's making a difference. I also added curology to my routine. I have two issues. One is that most of these blogs are written and followed by much younger women, so I'm not sure that the anti-aging concerns are the same. Also, the two places I need help the most are my hands and my decollete. Do you have any product recommendations for those areas?

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    1. Hi Joann,

      I know that Fiddy of Fifty Shades of Snail uses curology on her neck, perhaps you could try that for your chest area? Also my mother (who is 63) uses Tonymoly's whitening hand cream on her hands, and she has advised that it has helped to fade the spots on her hands.

      I hope that helps!

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  2. I'm so sorry this happened to all of you. I'm working towards my PhD now, and I think shenanigans like this have contributed to my loss of faith in academia. Academia tends to promote a culture of entitlement, a sort of arrogance, a "let me explain you to yourself, you lowly plebe, and while I'm at it I will rob you of agency and use for my benefit with impunity" attitude. We academics tend to think we're untouchable, in part because a of a false sense of superiority, yes, but also I think because posing ourselves as the "studier" in opposition to an "object of study" makes us feel kind of disconnected from the real world and the people in it. We start to think we're not really a part of it, maybe? In any case, it's a problem and it needs addressing, and it's really terrible that you and the rest of snail unit had to experience this first hand. That kind of treatment is inexcusable.

    And that Adeline Koh, sweet tap-dancing Jesus...

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    1. Thank you for your insight, I appreciate it. People trying to cloud the issue into a matter of feminism are really missing the mark- it's not about feminism, it's about agency.

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  3. Very sorry to hear about what happened :( I've been following your blog for quite some time now and I cannot even begin to tell you how much I look forward to your insightful and well-written posts. For the life of me, I can't figure out how it is that what you (and others) have contributed to K-Beauty could be thwarted into something political and I'm so sorry you had to experience it :( Just know that you have the support of so many who, like myself, are overjoyed when they see that you've written a new post and who milk up whatever it is you're writing about for what it is - your experience and your reviews on something which you enjoy writing about.

    So thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on K-Beauty and I hope you have a pleasant weekend :)

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    1. :3 Thank you so much! "Overjoyed" has me smiling like a nut. The sharing of K-Beauty should be joyful.

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