South Korea is known for being a beauty haven, with a wide range of makeup and skincare shops in almost every district in Seoul. As a beauty junkie, I couldn’t resist indulging in my habit by visiting almost every single store I could. While I am a fan of brands such as Laneige and Innisfree, which are more commonly known here, there are many other brands that have yet to be brought into Singapore. Here, I single out my top 10 beauty buys that you can only get in South Korea.
One individual packet comes with 24 pimple patches of different sizes. While in Seoul, I did break out a little around my chin and immediately applied the patch to my affected area before I went to bed. The next morning, I saw a huge decrease in size of my pimple and all the pus was absorbed onto the patch. It also helps to prevent future breakouts from occurring.
Treat these pads as a toner. They help to unclog pores and remove any remaining dirt from my skin after cleansing. It also helps to treat acne scarring and hydrates my face, leaving my skin feeling refreshed, clean and ultra smooth.
This serum is great for people with sensitive skin like me. After applying the serum, my face became significantly more plump and brighter. It also does not leave a greasy feeling on my face and helps to hydrate my skin.
After using this Vitamin C drop, I woke up with significantly smoother and softer skin. The Vitamin C helps to improve my overall complexion as well as treat UV-induced damage. Do note that you should only use the drops twice a week to prevent any irritation.
I have to admit that I am a fan of cushion foundations simply because they are convenient to use and give a more natural finish. With the air pollution in Seoul, I quickly put this to the test and was very satisfied with the results. It provided high coverage and long-wear (I was out for almost 12 hours and it held up really well!) , and I felt that it protected my skin from the dirt particles in the air. It also does not crease or settle into my fine lines and provides a semi-dewy finish.
My love for cushions continues with blushers. A’pieu is a brand that may not be commonly known but offer high-quality products at a very affordable price. This cushion blusher is pigmented and lightweight with a formula that blends easily. Why I love it? It has a buildable formula so I can easily switch from a natural flush to rosy cheeks just by adding more product.
This provides high coverage and also brightens my undereye area. A little goes a long way for this concealer. It’s velvety texture glides on and blends easily so you don’t have to worry about creasing.
This long-wearing and highly pigmented lip tint stains my puckers to ensure the colour remains throughout the day. Even with it’s lasting power, it does not dry out my lips (but do remember to use lip balm before applying the tint).
Bbia is a Korean makeup brand that is only available in certain drugstore shops (read: touristy areas such as Gangnam and Hongdae’s Lohbs). I was surprised when I first applied this lipstick as it only took one swipe to fully colour my puckers. Although it does transfer slightly, the long wearing product glides on easily onto my lips without drying them out.
Once you’ve tried this eyeliner, you’ll never go back to using other brands. It is a smudge-proof liner that is long-wearing and highly pigmented. The tip of the pen is super precise so you can easily achieve a long, sharp line.
Like this? Check out fashion writer Keng Yang Shuen’s favourite organic beauty brands, the one beauty travel kit every girl needs and the new Korean sleeping mask range will keep you looking fresh even when you’re tired.