Most of us can’t get enough of k-beauty, and who could blame us? It’s well established that women in Korea take pride in their beauty routine. We are beyond thrilled to see more cult beauty brands landing on our shores, with some even setting up counters in local drugstores like Guardian and Watsons.
To save you some time and money, we sussed and tried out the star products from each brand. Scroll through our gallery to find out which product you should make a beeline for.
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Product claims: One swipe of this high coverage water-based cushion that infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients like blueberry extract and aloe vera leaf extract will soothe the skin while giving it the coverage it needs.
Our verdict: A little goes a long way with this product. A tiny dab is all it takes to even out my skin tone and conceal all of my spots and blemishes. Apart from the high coverage which I really liked, the cushion didn’t adhere to my skin as much as I hoped and it would accentuate dry patches throughout the day. This cushion will be excellent for touch-ups and perhaps on those with an oiler complexion because the finish is more matte than dewy.
Available at Guardian.
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Product claims: Formulated with a blend of natural and organic Korean herbal extracts and devoid of harmful substances like parabens, preservatives and artificial colouring, this solid soap promises a brighter and clearer complexion upon the first use.
Our verdict: The first thing I noticed about the soap is its subtle herbal fragrance that isn’t too overpowering. Rubbing the bar of the soap in your hands works up a rich lather that leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean and not to mention smooth when rinsed off. I would recommend leaving the foam on your face for about 30 seconds for your skin to absorb all of the nutritive ingredients and to break down the makeup on your face so it washes off easily without the need for any pulling and tugging.
Available at Guardian.
ALSO READ: 8 LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY GIFTS FOR K-BEAUTY FANATICS
Product claims: Made from stellar ingredients like Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, and niacinamide cushion is made for individuals who struggle with dark spots, scarring and pigmentation who want to treat their skin in the day, whist still looking on point.
Our verdict: This cushion is one of my holy grail products. It has a super skin-like finish that adheres to the skin for a brighter and even skin tone. Not only does it have SPF 47 to protect you from the UV rays, it creates a radiant glow without the skin feeling sticky.
It also has great medium to high coverage so you don’t have to use a concealer. Thanks to its water-based formula, it’s great for those with normal to dry skin who want a glow to last all day. The only downside of this cushion is the limited colour options. The cushion only comes in two shades, light beige and medium beige. If you have a deeper complexion, you might want to give this cushion a skip.
Available at Lazada. Selected Cosrx products are available at Watsons.
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Product claims: If you are a two birds with one stone kind of person, this snail secretion filtrate packed essence boasts to hit back on two fronts by softening the wrinkles and battling the spots.
Our verdict: This essence does wonders for my parched skin by giving my thirsty skin a mega dose of moisture. Besides being super gentle on my skin, it also does the job of fading my acne scars and laugh lines. Because it has such a thick and heavy consistency, it is better suited for those with normal to dry skin.
Available at My Beauty Moments. Selected Cosrx products are available at Watsons.
ALSO READ: 8 LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY GIFTS FOR K-BEAUTY FANATICS
Product claims: This cream mines the power of centalla asiatica to hydrate the skin and keep those pesky zits and blemishes at bay. Its key ingredient, Centalla asiatica, also promises to improve collagen production and facilitate the skin cell regeneration process.
Our verdict: One cardinal rule to treating adult acne is using a product that doesn’t dry out the skin. This product does just that. It’s my go-to product when I am experiencing a breakout. Even though the instructions suggest applying the cream evenly on areas of the skin that has acne or is prone to breaking out, the cream works better for me when I use it as a spot treatment for red and angry zits.
Available at My Beauty Moments. Selected Cosrx products are available at Watsons.
ALSO READ: 8 LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY GIFTS FOR K-BEAUTY FANATICS
Product claims: Each jar contains 70 cotton pads that are pre-soaked in toner that is formulated with ingredients like salicylic acid and betaine salicylate. These pore pads boasts to slough off dead skin cells with naturally derived AHA and BHA and tighten pores.
Our verdict: These pore pads work almost like exfoliating pads, kicking dullness to the kerb by getting rid of the dead skin cells harbouring on the surface of your skin. This product might be a little too harsh on sensitive skin because it contains salicylic acid which may cause redness and peeling in some individuals.
Available at Guardian.
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Product claims: This serum claims to tighten loose pores and reduce excess sebum production whilst keeping the skin hydrated with its patented camellia flower extract, making it suitable for a variety of skin types.
Our verdict: This serum is great if you have a bit of complex about the size of your pores because it minimises the appearance of pores with continued use. It has a lightweight consistency and is rapidly absorbed by the skin, perfect for applying makeup afterwards.
Available at Guardian.
ALSO READ: 8 LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY GIFTS FOR K-BEAUTY FANATICS
