The top-to-tip products you need to own before embarking on the K-beauty lifestyle.
On the beauty front, Korean skincare and makeup is a league of its own. The western world taking notice of the ethereal youthfulness radiating about them, noting their wellness practice of diet rich in fermented foods like kimchi and superfood-packed ingredients of ginseng and seaweed, and a skincare routine ingrained since puberty.
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Korean women are fans of natural beauty products and are known to embrace a personalised approach unique to their skin type. Although each beauty treatment is customised to individual skin needs, Korean skincare is ultimately about age-reversal.
Click on to discover the 6 secrets that tap into the Korean elixir of youth.
Whitening first
The first impression of Koreans is their complexion – a porcelain fairness untouched by a single blemish. Whitening products often reach cult status in this part of the world and Sulwhasoo’s Snowise Brightening Serum, has all the properties you need. The upgraded version combines skin-firming and anti-melanin treatments, and is infused with collagen and white ginseng to effectively reduce dullness and discolouration.
The holographic glow
Koreans are obsessed with the dazzling effect that comes with a glowing complexion and to achieve this, they reach for dewy creams and high-shine illuminators. Erborian’s Glow Crème is an all-in-one illuminator, highlighter and makeup base that adds the coveted natural luminosity to skin. Infused with light-reflecting pigments and brightening ingredients, imparting a ‘holographic-like effect’ and definition at all angles.
Night repair
Stress and fatigue are some of the premature sources of ageing, and the best time for recovery is when the body sleeps. Night care allows a longer recovery process for skin, and the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Night Re.Pair cream relives and restores skin’s regeneration rhythm. Powered by the soothing Cantella Asiatica, the formula is kind to sensitive skin, and boosts skin with active ingredients and moisture that promote firmness and improved texture, in just one night.
Eye care
A sure sign of ageing is in the eye area. Wrinkles, crows’ feet, laugh lines and saggy eye bags are inevitable, making eye care an integral part of Korean beauty. The Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream effectively plumps up fine lines with herbal ingredients of peat extract and Rhodiola root to prevent skin damage and encourage collagen production, while Napiers formulas rejuvenate skin and optimise the water-oil balance.
Priming for makeup
Koreans love for beauty translates from skincare to cosmetics, but too much makeup can also wear down and accelerate ageing. Hence why makeup base plays an important role in their daily routine, and the innovative Laniege 3D Skin Fit Cushion is the perfect companion to primp and prime the face. Formulated with a blemish veil formula to even skin tone, a 3D skin fit cushion for seamless makeup application, the product boosts youthful glow.
Hands-on hydration
Take anti-ageing beyond face value: look down at your hands, the oft-neglected body part that is the first give away of your real age. Koreans take their beauty routine into their own hands – literally – through inventions like the Kocostar Hand Moisture Pack hand treatment. A little pack of goodness works like a pair of gloves, enveloping dry and rough hands in intense moisture in as little as 15 minutes!
Product photos courtesy of respective beauty brands.
Get one step closer to Korean beauty with the help of these 6 innovative brightening skincare products of the year.