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Ever since Korean beauty products started entering the beauty industry more than 8 years ago, K-beauty trends like supple mochi skin and just-bitten gradient lips grew in popularity, giving way to the rise of even more K-beauty brands to take foothold in the marketplace. And we, as makeup and skincare lovers, are here for it.
If you’re into Korean beauty products like we are, you don’t have to wait for a vacation to Seoul to pick up your favourite serum or lipstick (but the next time you’re in Korea, here’s what to get). Guardian has a large array of K-beauty brands and they’ve just expanded their range of brands with 3 new additions that we’re definitely hyped for.
Here are the must-have products from each new brand and of course, we’ll complete the list with the existing K-beauty brands that you can buy exclusively at Guardian.
This popular haircare brand has gained traction due to its all-green initiative and the fact that all its products are made of only safe and natural ingredients. Kundal is also Korea’s No. 1 Haircare brand (in the natural category) with its Cherry Blossom and Baby Powder range being the major sell-outs of the brand.
Each range consists of shampoo, hair treatment, hair serum and body wash, with all the products being infused with the brand’s iconic luxurious macadamia oil that gives your hair the shine it needs. So, if you’re on the hunt for naturally silky and tangle-free hair, you know where to look.
Focused on ensuring a flawless, radiant complexion using all-natural and organic ingredients, I’m From is a Korean skincare line that may be new to Guardian but has always been a well-loved brand in Korea.
I’m From takes the benefits of the Mugwort plant and infuses all its goodness into their masks and essences to promote smooth and supple skin. Our pick: the Mugwort Essence that promises to eliminate breakouts while calming the skin. Add this to cart if you’re struggling with dry skin too, as it’ll smooth any rough patches away to reveal a soft and hydrated complexion.
Superface was launched by two Hong Kong and Korean commercial directors after years in the film business and finally understanding the makeup needs of actresses on screen. Eager to bring these products to us, the directors launched Superface which has now become an up-and-coming brand to keep an eye out for.
Their bestseller? The Zoom In Mesh Cushion, a light cushion foundation with SPF50 that easily covers redness while adding a healthy glow to the complexion. Infused with 7 herb extracts, this cushion foundation also has anti-ageing properties and radiance-enhancing benefits that’ll give you a perfect base to start your no-makeup makeup look.
Now that we’ve got the lowdown on the 3 new K-beauty brands available at Guardian, let’s check out the other fan-favourite Korean brands that beauty fiends have been loving. They’re of course available at Guardian and online at www.guardian.com.sg.
We’ll kick it off with one of the many exclusive brands presented by Guardian x Olive Young. Olive Young is known as the no. 1 beauty store in Korea, providing a wide array of affordable and luxury Korean skincare and makeup for locals to choose from. Botanic Heal BoH’s bestseller is the Derma Water Ceramide Gel Cream, a moisturiser that provides 24-hour hydration and moisture circulation. Infused with lotus extract to purify the skin, this cream is perfect for both AM and PM use.
Looking for all-natural skincare to add to your vanity? Check out Bring Green, a K-beauty brand that prides itself in creating products that’s formulated only with plant-based ingredients.
Our pick is the Carrot Vita Eye and Face Cream (Double Set) that’s perfect for achieving smoother and brighter skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around your eye.
If you use Korean skincare, you’ve probably heard the of the ingredient Cica. Used primarily in K-beuaty products, Cica is a sensitive skin-friendly ingredient that helps to calm irritation, inflammation and reduce redness to reveal a healthy complexion.
Speaking of Cica, Round A’round’s star product is the Green Tea Cica Intense Serum that’s perfect for dry and sensitive skin. It also promises to improve the appearance of fine lines and even out the skintone.
Another brand from the Guardian x Olive Young line, Wakemake is a makeup brand made famous by its large selection of pigmented lipsticks. Here, we have the Wakemake Rouge Gun Zero Lipstick in the shade Kill Me Red, a perfect red lip shade for all skintones.
This lippie has a weightless matte finish and has a long-lasting formula that’ll tide you through copious cups of coffee without you having to re-apply. Not a fan of the classic red? Check out the many other colours available at Guardian – we’re talking nudes, pinks and mauves.
Looking for a sheet mask to calm your skin during stressful work nights? Try the Mediheal Whitening Bubble Tox Serum Mask, a leave-in bubble mask aimed at clarifying the skin and restoring a natural glow to the complexion.
Infused with rice bran water and pearl extract, this mask bubbles up to give your skin a light tingling sensation which feels like a mini massage. Remove the mask after 15 minutes and your skin should appear brighter and more radiant.
Ryo is a premium haircare brand that has a large range of shampoos, conditioners and hair masks to target different hair needs. From hair loss prevention to damage care, this Korean brand ensures that the major hair issues faced by Asian women can be solved easily and at an affordable price.
Our pick is definitely the Ryo Beautiful Aging Hair Loss Care Shampoo that’s formulated with Korean Ginseng and Lingzhi to ensure that the scalp remains healthy after prolonged use.
If you’re on the hunt for a new lippie, you’d want to check out the BBIA Last Velvet Lip Tint collection. BBIA is a popular Korean makeup line that offers quality products at affordable prices, so you can get a bang for your buck.
The velvet lip tint has a light, comfortable texture that easily smoothens out the wrinkles on the lips. Plus, it’s super long-wearing which means you can have a meal without worrying about your lipstick fading.
Lilybyred started off as a small online brand that sold killer eyeshadows and soon became a well-known makeup line that Koreans rave about. The brand sells everything from eyeliner to lipsticks and even makeup brushes but their bestseller has always been the Lilybyred Mood Cheat Kit.
This eyeshadow palette comes in 9 shades including matte, shimmer and glitter finishes for versatile everyday makeup looks. Tip: if you want to get extra payoff, use a small wet brush or your fingertips to dab the colour onto your lids.
If you’ve been to the beauty section at Guardian, you’d have probably seen Candylab’s large selection of makeup. Known for their adorable packaging and bold colours, Candylab focuses on fun and expressive makeup that easily makes a statement.
Here, we have the Candylab Satin Lipstick in the shade Lovebug. It’s the classic red lip that goes with any skintone and instantly adds the glam factor to any outfit. Pop this on for a date night or even for a Skype meeting to show you mean business.
When Singaporeans travel to Korea, you can almost guarantee that at least one of the many beauty products that’s being brought back an APRILSKIN gem. This fan-favourite brand made a name for itself when they started using natural nutrients and minerals to create effective yet affordable skincare.
Our pick is the APRILSKIN Real Calendula Ampoule Glow Cushion, a light cushion foundation that doesn’t just conceal redness and blemishes, but also soothes, moisturises and brightens skin. As the name suggests, it’s infused with real calendula flowers to provide extra hydration and radiance to the complexion.
Shoppers can enjoy 20% off selected beauty brands in stores and online (www.guardian.com.sg) from now till 29 April.
