Your Makeup Dictionary: Korean Cosmetics Part I

In the world on Korean cosmetics, companies have made like ten different products like just for your face and if you new to the world on Korean beauty, the names for these products can be confusing and you might not know the benefits of these products can do to your skin.  This post is dedicated to those lost souls who don’t know what the heck they’re buying.

Essence  This is an extremely common term when you’re getting into Korean cosmetic. Essentially, essence, like a serum, is jam-packed with ingredients beneficial to your skin. Essences are not as thick as serum, they have a water-liked texture to it. The packaging for essence is similar to toner, but the difference is essence is your first step in hydration in your skincare routine; toner is  an extra step in cleansing.  A popular recommendation would be the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

Oil Cleanser  Oil cleansers are extremely popular products in Asia.  In a skincare routine, oil cleansers, would be the first step.  Oil cleansers aren’t usually used like your typically cleansers.  People usually use oil cleansers as a way to remove makeup.  Personally, I find that oil cleansers are a more effective to remove makeup as it melts away your makeup in one go.  When choosing an oil cleanser, be careful.  Many oil cleanser can clog your pores and cause acne. TIP: go for a plant-based oil cleanser, as it’s your safest bet for not clogging your pores. I recommend the Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil.

Ampoule Ampoules fall under the same category as essence and serum, except, ampoules are even more concentrated than serum.  Think of ampoules like a super serum. Compare ampoules and serum to retinol and collagen.  Retinol is seen as a more concentrated version of collagen.  Same thing here with ampoules and serums.   Ampoules are still new in the cosmetic market, but whatever skin concerns you have, there will be an ampoule for it.  A popular recommendation would be the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II.

Cushion Foundation/BB/CC Cream  Cushions foundations have recently become a trend in the Western world.  To those who don’t, cushion foundations are compact foundations where in the inside of the compacts are a sponge fill with either foundation, BB cream, or CC cream.  Cushion compacts are made for touch ups. Cushion compacts can suits all different skin concerns and coverage.  I recommend the Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion for those just starting to get into cushion compacts or The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion which has a wider shade range.

To Be Continued in Part II…

     

Korean Cosmetics and Skincare: Why You Should Get On Board?

In the past few years, Korean cosmetics stores have been popping up around North America and was also introduced in Sephora. This trend is slowly catching on with Western beauty product with introduction of the BB creams and cushion foundations. Korean beauty products have a lot more to offer than the products available in the West. Here’s why you should get on board on the trend.

A Korean’s skincare routine is intensive but worth it. A Korean skincare routine is generally long and tedious, but in the long term, it’ll do wonders to your skin; a part of that reason is the product they use. A typically Korean skincare routine has about ten products. A Korean skincare is long and complex that I can dedicate an entire post towards.

Different products-All price ranges. In South Korea, the realm of cosmetics is extremely competitive. You often can find the same type of product at different ranges of prices whether it’s high end or drugstore. Drugstore in the West tends to only offer the basics of skincare. Even if you are on a budget, you are still able to find Korean products you would find in the department stores.

Two words. FREE SAMPLES. If you ever brought anything from Korean cosmetic store, in-store or online, you know that the store give a ton of samples for you. It is a marketing techniques to get you, the customer, to come back to buy more. Having samples allows to you to try new product without being totally committed to it.

Unique and Creative Products. South Korea has become the country of new and inventive beauty products. South Korea was first to create the cushion foundation and they’ve created more unique products like peel-off lip products, sheet masks, and even carbonated pore masks. If you’re feeling adventurous, give these products a try Berrisom Oops My Lip Tint Pack Etude House Tint My Brows Gel Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay The Face Shop Real Nature Mask.