Ultimate Korean Makeup and Skincare Product Thread!~
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The Clio eyeliner is my HG. It is the only eyeliner that stays put on my hooded, crease-y, and generally non-liner friendly eyelids!
Korean makeup is well renowned and loved around the world. Could it be that some of the products are so inventive and can't be found in western brands? Could it be that they work really well? Could it be the amazing range of types of products? Could it be that Korea was one of the first countries to start using BB cream cosmetically and therefore, have had longer to develop their BB creams that can easily surpass others in quality and productiveness? Could it be the array of products to target different areas and problems?
What is your opinion? Share your favorite product/s and why you love them~~
I do definitely think that Korean BB & CC creams are better than most foreign competitors. Especially those in the USA, which generally amount to little more than the usual liquid foundation or a repackaged tinted moisturizer with marketing buzzwords slapped on. (And I apparently ticked off a Sephora sales girl apparently by saying similar... She was trying to sell me Lancome miracle cushion as better than my HERA UV mist cushion. Tested the Lancome before, Its not bad (but did cause me to break out) and has the perk of having a broader range of tones, but in comparison to some of the go to Korean Brands, particularly the one I'm currently using... No contest. )
I have a pretty obscene collection of Korean cosmetics. Before moving to Korea, my make up collection was limited to a handful of eyeshadows, liners, lipstick and the only foundation I had was Physicians Formula because out of all the American foundations I tried, it was the only one that didn't make me break out. Same for face washes & such. I only used water, green tea, rice water & tea tree oil before.
Then a friend sent me a BB cream sample. I think it was the GaIn Nox Lab BB cream. Which I skeptically tried out and immediately started getting comments on my complexion. That used to *never* happen for me. After that, tried more samples with comparable results. Moved to Korea and it all went down hill from there. Started trying out different skincare & make up products and it became a pretty bad habit.
One of my favorite brands is Etude House for both the cute packaging & the consistent quality for the price point. I also like quite a bit of Skinfood, TonyMoly, Su:m37 & Hera for pretty consistent quality. History of Whoo & Missha have both great and blah products in my experience, which at times can leave me a bit irate on the price. The Face Shop, Natures Republic, Innisfree, Nox Lab, and many of the other brands seem best on a product by product basis, some I love and some are just, there.. Clio I like almost exclusively for liners. Chosungah 22 seems promising from what I've tried.
Currently, my most used products are from: Etude House, Hera, Skinfood, Tony Moly, Innisfree.
On my to try list:
Etude House Moistfull Collagen peeling wash - ordered
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cushion - ordered
TonyMoly Timeless Ferment Snail Lip Treatment stick - ordered
Clio Lipnicure (Trouble Peach or Heartless Coral)
Clio Lipnicure remover
Cobas Wonder Bikini Body Patch
Innisfree Mint Green Tea hair care line
History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Seol BB cushion
History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Sleeping cream
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I agree. I have sort of, in a way gradually lost interest in Western cosmetics and skincare as I find it to be less variety and lacking..as opposed to Korean.
I have been using the Etude House Precious Mineral BB cream..Bright and Blooming fits and they have suited and looked much better on my skin that any foundations have from popular brands like Maybelline, Australis etc..They never blended or adapted to my skintone and colour as well..maybe I didn't take enough time to find the right one? Anyway I think I am going to try the new cushion version of them as well.
I have just started trying the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Treatment in the Essence and Cream and it has made my skin super soft and supple..also less oily with no rough and dry spots. I have only been using it for nearly a week so I can't comment on its spot healing and fading capabilities but I will later on.
Haha I wouldn't say 'downhill' .. I know how you feel-you get addicted!
I am going to Korea next year and am worried how much money I will have left if I do xD
I think part of the reason Korean cosmetics are shaking the market, is its more competitive. Korea takes personal image very seriously, even the job market is highly competitive about looks. A larger percentage of Korean women especially, take skin & beauty regimens and fashion much more seriously than women in the US. It amazed me living in Korea, how many women around town, even outside of the more urban areas, looked as though they stepped out of a fashion magazine. In order to appeal to that sort of market, it takes more effort and the products have to really show a difference to be competitive.
Where as the US is largely a "dress up on occasion or for fun" kind of country. And most women now pay very casual care towards skincare, make up and fashion. And the American market is usually more than willing to accept mediocre quality, haphazard marketing and poor customer service.
I just ordered the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renewal! I ordered some for my Mother-in-law as well. Now that you mention oily skin, I have combination skin with a very oily T-zone, the innisfree no sebum primer is a HUGE help. It even allows me to use dewy products without looking greasy.
You'll have a lot of fun in Korea, bring an extra suitcase and pack lightly. >.>
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I highly recommend the sulwhasoo perfecting cushion. I've tried about 6 different cushion compacts and that one is the best. I would say iope comes in second!
OH and étude brush cleaner (the spray bottle) is the best brush cleaner I have ever used!
OH and étude brush cleaner (the spray bottle) is the best brush cleaner I have ever used!
I agree. It is a totally different perspective and culture with makeup between most western countries and Korea. It is the same here is Australia..skincare isn't very creative nor inventive with products and packaging and there isn't much variety in them. Same with makeup..as you said, it is only really for special occasions and to 'dress up'. Mostly people don't go to huge effort on a day to day basis with beauty or fashion as you mentioned and I myself was brought up with the idea that you washed your face twice a day and moisturised it on dry days and wore sunscreen when going out for extended periods in the summer, I can imagine it would be quite similar in the US. As you said, this is totally contrary to Koreans. I can see what you mean..whenever I go on social media such as instagram etc, it seems [every] Korean woman I see has flawless and bright skin with perfect makeup and hair. So I can sort of imagine your experience in Korea....It is a bit sad in a way we are behind the eight ball on this, but in a way good as well as it is more of a novelty and exciting for us who are not exposed to these products on a daily basis. I think we are also accepting of mediocre products because we also don't have as much range or variety.
Hope you and your mother in law enjoy the Super Aqua Snail Cream and it is as effective as it has been for me (: Also thanks for your suggestion of Innisfree primer..I have seen it a bit and am looking for a primer so I will definately try this one because it sounds perfect for me-I have an oily t zone too and after a little while 'dewy' products start to mix with the oil when my skin starts to get oily and look a bit greasy :/ I like Innisfree's products as well- I want to try the Green Tea Seed Cream because I have read good reviews on it..maybe after Missha haha.
Thankyou! I will make sure to pack REALLY lightly and take an extra carry on bag hehe.
Thank you (: I am looking to try a cushion compact ♡ I have never tried any makeup from Sulwhasoo, only skincare products and they have been pretty good.
It has really good coverage and lasts all day with minimal touch up - also feels very light and breathable on the skin
Only downfall is that u might not find your color if u are not fair
Hi. What is the best product for my freckles & pigmentation? I've never tried Korean skincare yet. TIA
Sounds great! (: ..I have heard cushion pacts are light and don't have the same sticky/greasy feeling as BB creams. Coming into Summer..I think that would be better for the weather.
I have quite fair skin but I know what you are saying..it is very hard to get darker shades as Korean makeup usually only comes in two shades #Light Beige and #Natural beige (darker)..I think because they are not taking their international market into account and only catering to Koreans/Asians who don't have particularly dark skin. Its unfortunate for some people with darker skin though (;-
"Hello Cassey (:
Welcome! May I ask what sort of thing you were after? What did you want to do for your freckles and pigmentation?
I agree, its a great cushion. And right now you can get a pretty, limited edition floral case with it. Its slightly heavier / thicker than my Hera UV mist cushion, but has a bit better coverage. Its a bit more matte, and a little bit drying though. One thing that caught me off guard is that it has a very, very slight yellow undertone even in the No.13 which is described as light pink. This mostly fades when blended out though. (Hera on the other hand gives a whitening / gray cast). Its definitely one I plan to buy again.
Wearing the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion in No.13:
Yes! I'm in love with my Clio liners, especially the Gelpressos! They're difficult to smudge, hold up under humidity & thus far rain/water. They apply so incredibly smoothly. I have double lids that crease quite a bit, but they don't smudge or bleed. In the photo above I'm actually wearing: Bloody Sweat / sweet (inner corners and bottom line), Bloody Angel (top line) and Bloody Devil (upper water line). I also have Hawaii Orange & Black Brick and plan to order a few more fun colors here soon.
ETA: Also, Sulwhasoo Perfecting cushion can be purchased in 4 colors: Light Pink (13), Medium Pink (21), Medium Beige (23) and Deep Beige (25)
I'm not sure why, but most English language sites seem to only carry 21 & 23. The English Sulwhasoo site & Nordstrom only carries 23 & 25. And a lot of the sellers that ship out of Korea, seem to sell out of the 13 quickly and even tend to price it higher than the other shades. I did find this picture showing swatches of Sulwhasoo's four shades that may help people choose what they need:
I'd recommend right clicking the image to get to the blog its from, the review is quite thorough but I don't think I'm permitted to directly post links to outside beauty blogs in posts.
I agree, its a great cushion. And right now you can get a pretty, limited edition floral case with it. Its slightly heavier / thicker than my Hera UV mist cushion, but has a bit better coverage. Its a bit more matte, and a little bit drying though. One thing that caught me off guard is that it has a very, very slight yellow undertone even in the No.13 which is described as light pink. This mostly fades when blended out though. (Hera on the other hand gives a whitening / gray cast). Its definitely one I plan to buy again.
Wearing the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion in No.13:
Your skin is perfection!
Other than eBay, I have not found any place to purchase Korean brands. Thankfully, Sephora is starting to carry a few Tony Moly items. Hopefully they will expand more into Korean beauty products soon!