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Rena

@abmuse.net
662 followers 456 following 384 posts

actor, skincare enthusiast, dog mom

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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/02/2026
Picture of a comment from a deleted user (me). Where I know I 100% had this jumbled before deletionAnother picture of a comment from a deleted user (me). Where I know I 100% had this jumbled before deletion
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Rena @abmuse.net · 27/12/2025
Bugonia: Beautifully and expertly threaded story that could only be trusted in the hands of a true artist and made possible by stellar acting. My god does it give me hope for movies with heart
A bald Emma Stone covered in honey and blood for the movie poster of Bugonia
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Rena @abmuse.net · 08/12/2025
We have been starved of movies of this caliber for a long while. Everyone needs to watch Jay Kelly please 🎞️
Movie poster for Jay Kelly with Adam Sandler and George Clooney in tuxedos. On Netflix since Dec.5
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Rena @abmuse.net · 21/10/2025
Stumbled onto an area of IG that basically makes it evident that companies that have your email address from other sources (eg: purchases, newsletters) can create advertising lists to target your IG account and it looks like the lists can be utilized by others. “Don’t allow” too many lists upsets IG
Sample of what the CorePower Yoga Audience-based Advertising page looks like. Note the 10 advertisers utilizing this list (including one @sallykim7)A “Page isn’t available right now” after diligently changing many of the lists associated with my account/email address to “Don’t Allow”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 19/10/2025
Blessings from Molly Smith Metzler, writer of the play I’m in 😭❤️ Lots of little gems in the blurb she wrote us☕️
Screenshot of an IG story with Molly Smith Metzler writing “happy rehearsing @littlefishtheatre! Hope things are getting turnt 💕☕️
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Rena @abmuse.net · 01/07/2025
Some movies (Carry On, The Gorge) have been trying to recapture that 90s action movie feel, whereas F1 is the polished and refined progression of that genre. Balance of spectacle, heart, humor and hope, all of which requires an adequate budget to properly compensate creatives in every department
F1 Movie posture with Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) standing in front of an APX F1 car
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Rena @abmuse.net · 29/06/2025
The Great - Season 2 Ep 6 “A Simple Jape” covered this brilliantly, with all the attention these people deserve. Complete with over-the-top makeup and heinous “fashion” choices
Screenshot of one of the paid-for “nobles” from the show, “The Great” (season 2 episode 6), aesthetically very similar to the Bezos wedding
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Rena @abmuse.net · 14/06/2025
#NoKings
A picture from the protests, including a sign for says “A facial America is NOT a great America”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 09/06/2025
“Yes ha ha ha” Sickos meme
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Rena @abmuse.net · 07/06/2025
The MAC Lipglass Blow is an amazing lip plumper and lip oil. IT DOES BOTH😍 And it LASTS. I swear my lips are more plumped from regular use, even when it’s not on. +++it tastes like ginger candy. I’ve given some away to friends and family, it really does make a great small #beauty gift.
Picture of my hand holding a beautiful gold-tube of MAC’s Lipglass Glow which is both a lip plumper and lip oil
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Rena @abmuse.net · 24/03/2025
In honor of @commercialpoem.bsky.social‘s latest post about using her last Timetreasure Honorstige Serum, I’m using one tonight. Shittier replacements really make #skincare not fun Post: commercialpoemferments.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-...
My hand holding a sample sachet of Sulwhasoo’s now discontinued premier-line Timetreasure Honorstige Serum in front of my money tree that’s not been doing so hot
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Rena @abmuse.net · 21/03/2025
NEW SUNSCREEN TO TRY!!! 😭 (and eventually review) Suncut was the first Jbeauty sunscreen brand I fell in love with. I’ve graduated to Anessa (after a brief fling with Allie), but I will always, always have a soft spot for Suncut. Info: www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/suncut-m... #smb Thanks, Rod!
The Suncut The Multi Vitamin Essence
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Rena @abmuse.net · 26/02/2025
Add Medipeel to the genAI marketing of #skincare That fake model on the bottom left is for sure drawing from pictures of Lucy Liu. I wonder if celebrities could sue. I’ve been backing off Kbeauty since LG announced genAI use in marketing, I hope others will join. Source: @odilemonod.bsky.social
Screenshot from Odile’s IG: “ just relaunched their website. 99% of the visuals featured on their website, including before and after pictures, product shots and corporate imagery, are created using generative AI with no disclaimers to inform the visitor that they’re AI-generated. 

I suspect authentic photographs will become rare in Korean beauty by 2026”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 24/02/2025
This goes for every market, but because my mind auto defaults to #beauty reasons often, Javon Ford posted this video about AI “content creators” on his IG. www.instagram.com/reel/DGdiceB... He has another with tips on not getting scammed by AI
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Rena @abmuse.net · 14/02/2025
ImageBeauty haul. One of my favorite #skincare stores is closing. Heartbreaking. A confluence of international politics & changing consumer knowledge & habits driven by social media has created a tough few years for AsianBeauty-centric indie stores the past few years IMO. Product list in comments
Left to right, top to bottom.

•Biore U The Body Foam Soap, Refreshing Fresh Herbal: Brilliant Bouquet
•Fancl Deep Clear Washing Powder
•Albion Eclafutur D
•Decorte AQ Boosting Treatment Hair Serum
•ALBION Exage Moist Full Lotion
•Kracie Tabino Yado Nigori Cloudy Hot Spring Series Assortment (2x)
•UZU Eye Opening Liquid Eyeliner, Black
•JMsolution Prime Gold Premium Foil Mask, Calendula
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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/02/2025
And if you want to see the 2D version, it was very much illustrated before (Found by a detective with serious sleuthing skills and shared to me 😂)
Screenshot comparison from orig.ginal IG account (account of the AI influencer). Left shows a very illustrated, animated version. Right shows what it looks like today, looking more human
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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/02/2025
Still a little uncanny valley, but if you’re mindlessly scrolling or just busy… Source: @odilemonod.bsky.social #smb
Screenshot from Odile’s IG:

“I just found out that Amorepacific created an AI influencer to promote their products. 

The project started in 2022 with a 2D character (presumably illustrated by digital artists, though I couldn’t find confirmation), but it evolved into an AI character last year.

I wonder if this initiative is really driving sales for them”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/02/2025
Well it was reversed so I guess it doesn’t now, but they do use USPS at the tail legs and since it wasn’t implemented, we don’t know how it would have impacted. But now packages from HK meant for the US, including thru DHL, are being rejected on HK’s end: www.wired.com/story/tariff...
Email from yesstyle showing USPS was awaiting a parcel from yesstyle
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Rena @abmuse.net · 05/02/2025
US-based Yesstyle and Stylevana buyers are going to be piiiissed. I know this concerns more than #skincare, but that’s where my mind immediately goes. For non-US folks, I hope you’re enjoying your popcorn 😭
Screenshot from Hong Kong Free Press’ IG:

“US postal service suspends inbound parcels from Hong Kong and China amid tariff war”

“The US Postal Service (USPS) has temporarily halted acceptance of international packages from Hong Kong and China until further notice. The move comes amid a tit-for-tat trade dispute between Washington and Beijing.”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 30/01/2025
AmorePacific (behind brands like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, innisfree, Aestura, Etude, Ryo, Mise en scene, etc.) using genAI for marketing *and* packaging design. I’m a sucker for good packaging and design, especially for #skincare, and this soulless future is bleak. Source: @odilemonod.bsky.social
Screenshot from Odile’s IG story: 

“Two new releases from Amorepacific created using generative AI (both for the packaging of the product and the campaign visuals).

As you know (?), my job consists of curating the advertising campaigns of a foreign beauty brand in Korea and my biggest beef with the current ubiquity of generative AI in Korean advertising is that the results feel extremely bland and unoriginal. 

Since designers don’t have to go through the long and painstaking process of creating something from scratch using a limited set of tools and their own imagination, the final products come across as formulaic copies of things that have been done before. I don’t find any intent or larger creative vision from these designs.”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 27/01/2025
Spotted Biore Aqua Rich at Tokyo Central. Despite similar packaging and misleading marketing touting its popularity in Japan, the ingredients are different. (Unless you’re severely susceptible, ignore the prop65 warning. It’s on so many things and doesn’t take into account dosage) #smb
Display of Biore Aqua Rich “UV Moisturizer” at Tokyo Central. Similar packaging but with a workaround name to comply with US laws (eg: Beauty of Joseon “Relief Sun”). Ingredients of the US version of Biore’s most popular Aqua Rich. Active ingredients: avobenzone(3%), homosalate(7%), octosalate(5%), octocrylene(5%)
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Rena @abmuse.net · 24/01/2025
Nightbitch is so. fucking. good. What I had heard of the premise was a bit silly, but truly no movie has touched my soul the way this has. Amy Adams was phenomenal.There is blocking in this movie that is such a gut punch. I need Marielle Heller to write and direct more movies, please🙏🏼🐕
Poster for Nightbitch. A wild and dirt-covered Amy Adams framed by a pack of dogs
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Rena @abmuse.net · 20/01/2025
So slight worry is happening now. At least I can buy the trial set and see if I’d prefer the reformulated sun milk. The 2022 sun milk had a strange finish so I’ve been hesitant about trying.
Image of the Anessa Day Serum N trial set that includes a trial size of the 2024 version of Anessa Perfect UV Milk
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Rena @abmuse.net · 20/01/2025
#Kbeauty industry reps finding out the obvious that flooding western social media with fast #skincare brands only targets people chasing trends, not the potential loyal customers who’d be willing to pay a premium. Image source from @odilemonod.bsky.social’s IG
From Odile’s Stories: “The Korean financial newspaper Edaily published and interesting article discussion the recent popularity of Korean beauty in foreign markets (mainly the US).

They interviewed various industry professionals who revealed that they had to abandon plans to enter foreign markets because only Korean products priced under 30 USD tend to do well in the US. 

They also voiced concerns that Korean beauty is increasingly being perceived as synonymous with trendy, gimmicky, and low-costs products. This trend sidelines companies that invest in proprietary technologies and high quality ingredients, as they cannot compete by lowering their prices to meet such expectations, something I and many others have been warning about the dawn of times.

It takes time to build a brand that inspires trust and loyalty and many feel that, by prioritising short term profits over long term customer trust, Korean beauty might have missed the ship.
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Rena @abmuse.net · 11/01/2025
Started reading “Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder” by Asako Yuzuki (trans. by Polly Barton) and made the first food item of just cooked rice, soy sauce, cold salted butter. Her description of the sensation of “falling” upon eating is accurate, but it is *rich*. Worth a try, don’t make it a habit 😂
A clump of cooked rice, a dab of soy sauce, an unhealthy amount of homemade salted butter.
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Rena @abmuse.net · 10/01/2025
The Cure Aqua Gel, 10+ years consistently. It was my first peeling gel and the product that made me realize that my skin needs help removing dead skin *often* if I want products to work. I’ve tried other peeling gels and they don’t hold up. My oily-skinned friends don’t get my love for it though 🥲
My current bottle of Cure Natural Aqua Gel. I have not lived without a bottle of this on my shelf for 10+ years
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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/01/2025
I’ve tried other fullerene serums and settled on KisoCare, though it’s not the easiest to get. The deeper color suggests it may have a higher concentration of Radical Sponge fullerene than others like Tunemakers. Again, no guarantees about anything, I’m trusting they haven’t added coloring 🤷🏻‍♀️
Dropper with the amber serum of a new KisoCare Moisture Serum RS
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Rena @abmuse.net · 06/01/2025
Panned my 4th? 5th? bottle of KisoCare’s fullerene serum. I never loved Vit C & switched to a fullerene serum a few years ago. Early research shows “over 250x” more antioxidant power than Vit C. Does it work? I dunno how a layman could judge a prevention product like this, but I enjoy using it. #smb
An empty bottle of KisoCare Moisture Serum RS with an empty dropper leaning on it
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Rena @abmuse.net · 01/01/2025
First impressions review: Albion Flora Drip Results were immediate. On application - skin plumped, softened, strengthened and still feel it in the AM. I’ve missed my skin feeling like this since a former HG toner was reformulated. So glad I found my new hero product #smb
The Albion Flora Drip is pale pink with a milky toner texture Picture of the ingredients from the box. From the Albion Garden site: ASPERGILLUS/(ARTEMISIA CAPILLARIS/CYANUS SEGETUM FLOWER/LEAF/STEM)/(ARTEMISIA MONTANA/MELISSA OFFICINALIS/THYME LEAF/STEM) FERMENT FILTRATE• WATER (AQUA)• BUTYLENE GLYCOL• ALCOHOL• GLYCERIN• TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIISOSTEARATE• ALCALIGENES POLYSACCHARIDES• TOCOPHEROL• CETEARYL ALCOHOL• DISODIUM EDTA• GLYCERYL STEARATE• PEG-20 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL• PEG-50 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL ISOSTEARATE• PHENOXYETHANOL• FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)• CARAMEL
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Rena @abmuse.net · 12/12/2024
Screenshot from Odile Monod’s IG stories. “…AmorePacific dedicated an entire section of one of their corporate websites to their use of generative AI for the production of marketing materials”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 12/12/2024
And AmorePacific. Not unexpected. Loss of jobs and insane energy consumption www.chosun.com/english/indu... #smb #kbeauty
Screenshot from Odile Monod’s IG story of an article from Chosun titled: South Korea’s electricity demand underestimated amid AI and semiconductor boom”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 10/12/2024
New Guy Fawkes mask just dropped
Amazon listing for a $19.99 Luigi Beanie (Luigi from the Mario games of Nintendo) showing over 100,000 purchases today
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Rena @abmuse.net · 09/12/2024
Had a belated Thanksgiving dinner both days with separate families over the weekend. Had fun with the people, obviously, but *the food* 🤤 one of those rare times I regret not being a “take pictures of what I eat” person. But here’s a flower arrangement I lovingly spruced up from actual Thanksgiving
The back of a flower arrangement from HollyFlora that I spent hours sprucing up because she came apart during the travel and reignited the feeling of calm joy I had when I joined an ikebana circle. This side is more beginning of fall because of the berries, the other side is more end of summer because of the flowers. I think I liked this side more, but it was all gorgeous
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Rena @abmuse.net · 30/11/2024
Dear Darling Tint, Dracula Red: love it! Perfect red on me. Not too drying & stayed on well through Thanksgiving dinner Ginger Sugar Melting Balm, Rose Berry: very moisturizing. I’m slightly allergic to something in it though Fruity Dewy Tint Whipping Cloud, Berry Soda: dropped it once & it broke🤷🏻‍♀️
Swatches: Etude Dear Darling Tint (Dracula Red), Etude Ginger Sugar Melting Balm (Rose Berry), Etude Fruity Dewy Tint Whipping Cloud (Berry Soda)Swatches after running it under cold water and slight rubbing: Etude Dear Darling Tint (Dracula Red), Etude Ginger Sugar Melting Balm (Rose Berry), Etude Fruity Dewy Tint Whipping Cloud (Berry Soda)
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Rena @abmuse.net · 30/11/2024
Yesstyle #smb haul Nacific Uyu Cream Toner: not as moisturizing as I’d hoped, WNRP Decorte AQ Scalp & Hair Energizer: love the packaging and scent (unisex perfume/cologne?), we’ll see how it performs compared to my former HG, the LG Hair Tonic Etude Lippies: swatches and mini review in comments
Yesstyle haul on green background. L-R: Nacific Uyu Cream Toner, Decorte AQ Absolute Scalp & Hair Energizer, Etude Dear Daring Tint (Dracula Red), Etude Ginger Sugar Melting Balm (Rose Berry), Etude Fruity Dewy Tint Whipping Cloud (Berry Soda)
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Rena @abmuse.net · 30/11/2024
These two hand shots from an AT&T commercial looks like gen-ai. Hands look artificial and I know I was moving so it’s harder to tell, but it has the weird bumps that gen-ai videos have that tries to mimic a true shaky cam
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Rena @abmuse.net · 24/11/2024
Lunch. Don’t worry, one of those little homemade patties is his, the other is for his sister.
Black lab mix staring at his dad’s lunch: homemade burger and fries. There are two plain patties, one for him and one for his sister
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Rena @abmuse.net · 23/11/2024
Nabbed my Stratia #skincare order during their only sale of the year❤️ Lipid Gold: HG for years. Beautiful, simple, yet powerful barrier repair serum/light lotion Interface: first time. Needed an AM cream and thus far texture and moisturization level is just what I hoped for Both fragrance free
Stratia “haul” (does buying two items count as a haul?). Left is Lipid Gold, a barrier lotion. Right is Interface, a peptide cream. On a wooden background.
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Rena @abmuse.net · 19/11/2024
Yeah, LG H&H literally tucked in their intention on using gen-AI models as an effort to better the environment in pgs 70-71 of their 2023 Environmental Social Governance Report. Specifically under the “sustainable management” section www.lghnh.com/global/file/...
Pg. 71 of the 2023 LG H&H ESG report. Notable line: “By applying generative AI, we save time and costs in producing advertising content and reduce the environmental impact by minimizing the disposal of single-use props or formulations”Pg. 70 of the 2023 LG H&H ESG report. “LG H&H creates generative AI model images reflecting brand-specific personas to offer personalized experiences to customers”
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Rena @abmuse.net · 19/11/2024
LG following through with their plan for AI-created models for #skincare marketing. I hate this on so many levels. Loss of jobs, loss of humanity, loss of common sense; all while pushing the lie that using gen-AI is “better for the environment”
Screenshot from OdileMonod’s IG stories showing Physiogel, an LG H&H brand, using a model that was AI generated (not human) to sell skincare. It comes with the tiniest grey font saying they’re using AI models.
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Rena @abmuse.net · 17/11/2024
Small Stylevana haul✨ •Curel Moisture Facial Milk: been thinking my skin’s craving a milky toner; recco’d often, first time buying •Anessa Day Serum: HG sunscreen •Enprani Bota Retinol: was on sale & been curious since Odile’s kbeauty retinol intro🤞🏼 •SBM cleanser sample: low expectations tbh #smb
Skincare haul from Stylevana! L-R: Curel Moisture Facial Milk, 3x Anessa Day Serum, 2x Enprani Bota Retinol, Some By Mi AHA/BHA/PHA 30 Days Cleansing Foam sample
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Rena @abmuse.net · 16/11/2024
Panned the AHC’s Ampoule in Eye Cream today. It’s *okay*. Cream was a tad on the thicker side for me to comfortably apply in the eye area. Decided early on to use it as a face cream, was not moisturizing enough. Finish was okay if not a bit siliconey, didn’t notice much help in the eye area #smb
Empty tube of AHC’s Ampoule in Eye Cream Season 12Odilemonod’s IG story about the specially derived collagen: “it was enriched with Collagen T5 and T17, which promises to mimic the expression of genes COL1A5 and COL1A17
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Rena @abmuse.net · 14/11/2024
Annoying typical Asian sunscreen and makeup disclaimer: it comes out pale pink and blends well on me but I don’t know how well it does on deeper skin tones. Added pictures of product, mid blend, immediately after blending under natural light
Texture shot of the Anessa Day serum, pale pink liquid blob on my left handTexture shot of the Anessa Day serum mid blendTexture shot of the Anessa Day serum blended in
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Rena @abmuse.net · 29/10/2024
Kbeauty skincare giant LG H&H will be using generative AI models and marketing materials in the future. That’s dozens of jobs gone right there. Keep in mind, LG H&H is under the LG conglomerate, which includes LG Electronics. If this trend continues, this could mean hundreds of jobs.
Screenshot from Odile Monod’s IG stories discussing LG’s choice to use generative AI models in their marketing Screenshot from Odile Monod’s IG stories discussing LG’s spinning of using generative AI as being an environmentally conscious choice
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Rena @abmuse.net · 25/10/2024
So groceries aren’t so expensive if you jump through hoops 😐
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Rena @abmuse.net · 01/09/2024
HolySnails is closing up shop. They changed skincare, not just in the #AsianBeauty realm, so it’s sad to see them go. Hoping to snag something on their next restock 🤞🏼 www.holysnails.com
HolySnails’ IG announcement that she’s closing her shop. https://www.holysnails.com/
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Rena @abmuse.net · 26/08/2024
Squirrel eyes 🐿 #InternationalDogDay
Two black and white male and female dogs manically staring at a squirrel in a tree
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Rena @abmuse.net · 24/05/2024
My #asianbeauty haul came and I’m so excited😭 The Dr. Groot scalp tonic, Whoo Lipcerins and Sulwhasoo serums are HGs. Everything to the right is new.
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