Happenings in October - AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum

Tuesday 8/10/24

I am already familiar with the AVENE Cleanance range as I am currently using Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel and Cleanance Comedomed. Hence, adding AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum to my routine felt like the perfect complement to complete my skincare set. Thanks Daily Vanity for introducing the product.

AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum is suitable for people with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, watery texture infused with Avène Thermal Spring Water, feels incredibly soothing upon application. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving behind a hydrated, dewy glow without any greasy feeling. The serum is free from fragrance. I noticed it effectively soothed redness and did not trigger any breakouts or discomfort. It’s the perfect addition to my skincare routine.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 1: Deoksugung Palace + Myeongdong Kyoja + Cafe de Paris

As we stepped out of our hotel onto the street, we were surprised to see the road packed with people and surrounded by police. While in the cab earlier, we had also noticed a few police buses, initially thought it was related to Armed Forces Day on 1 Oct.

The police were armed with gear and shield which felt unusual to us, something must be amiss.

It turned out there was a protest by the construction workers' wing of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (those with red band on their head), they were all making their way toward Sungnyemun Gate. Many police were activated to manage any potential disruptions. While it seemed like a regular occurrence in Seoul, it was quite an eye-opening experience for us.

We finally arrived at Deoksugung Palace at 4.30pm after 20 minute walk and observing the protest. I decided to visit this palace as it was within walking distance from our hotel, a convenient spot to explore on our first day.

There are five royal palaces in Seoul with Deoksugung Palace being the smallest among them. This historic site served as the residence of King Gojong, the last monarch of the Joseon Dynasty.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 1: Airport Limousine + Lotte Hotel Seoul

After 10 minutes of air taxiing, we moved out of the plane and made our way toward customs. 

The queue for custom clearance was madness, likely due to the China Golden Week holiday. Visitors are required to fill in an arrival card. We started queuing at 7.40am and took 1 hour 10 minutes to finally get through. 

 My exchange rate was S$1 : ₩1,017.

 After collecting our baggage and taking long toilet break, we headed to the ticket redemption counter at Gate 6 of Incheon Airport Terminal 1. We needed to exchange our mobile voucher for a physical ticket as we had pre-purchased the round trip Airport Limousine Bus Ticket from Klook for S$32.45 per person. 

As we stepped out of the airport at 9.35am, cool breeze greeted us, I put on my jacket while waiting for Limousine Bus 6015 which would take us to Myeongdong. It has been a long while since I last experienced such a cooling season, it felt refreshing.

The bus came 5 minutes later and we boarded the bus to find very comfortable seating, perfect for the hour-long ride ahead. The bus would make its way to different parts of Myeongdong and our hotel was located at the ninth stop. 

There were jam especially near the cross junction on the expressway, the journey to our bus stop was extended to 1 hour 45 minutes. We reached Lotte Hotel/IBIS Myeongdong stop at 11.25am. 

We spotted Lotte Hotel Seoul at the opposite street, tucked behind Lotte Department Store. It took us about 8 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the hotel as the hotel main lobby was a distance away.

We returned to Lotte Hotel Seoul (main tower) at 2.15pm for check-in. The customer service was top notch. From the moment we arrived, I felt warmly welcomed. The staff rushed to open the car door, and there were ceiling heaters to keep guests standing outside comfortable. The staff were stationed at various lanes in the lobby in suits, putting a smile on their face and ready to cater to the guest needs.

Lotte Hotel Seoul is a 5 star luxury hotel located in Myeongdong. At 38 storey high, it has 1,015 rooms spread across both the main and executive towers. 

Lotte Hotel Seoul

30 Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

While waiting for the lift, I was captivated by the waterfall cascading behind the glass right next to the lift. It added a touch of sophistication to the hotel ambiance, offering guests at the lift lobby and lounge a tranquil view.

The view from our room at level 18 showed a cityscape of surrounding buildings. To the right, I spotted The Westin Josun Seoul being shone by the sunny rays.

The bathroom was spacious with a bathtub to add to the luxurious experience, I liked the use of Japanese-style toilet with various bidet settings and heated toilet seat for added comfort on cooler days.