Australians know skincare. We might love makeup that little bit more, but we still understand the importance of good skin. But when we use more than three products in our daily routine, it becomes a chore, and timely. Fair call?
This is not the case for a lot of Korean women, many of which use up to ten different skincare items daily. Living and breathing flawless, milky skin, they are always on the lookout for the next big thing in beauty.
Whitening products have always been seen as something only Asian women use, but we are now seeing more and more Caucasian women loving the new ‘brightening’ craze, as it helps reduce sun damage and pigmentation.
Korea, especially South Korea, are now supplying much of the beauty world with trends in cosmetics, rather than Europe as it’s traditionally been. Just look at the amazing success of the BB (Beauty Balm) Cream which was such a craze in Korea, the rest of the world followed suit.
The country has taught us the importance of skincare and makeup as one, and also that lighter, more weightless product (combining skincare and makeup) is where we are headed to suit consumers’ busy lifestyles, making skin the hero, not foundation.
Seeing as Koreans know a thing or two about beauty, here are some of the top products and trends coming out of Korea right now.
Models Prefer Luxurious Youth Boost Anti-Ageing BB Cream
With the BB category still growing around the world, more and more brands are popping up with their version of the BB cream – meaning Beauty Balm – combining skincare and sun protection into a light tint for an even skin tone.
Created in South Korea, this BB cream comes from Models Prefer, Priceline’s in-house beauty brand and with technologies increasing and being more competitive, this affordable beauty product has it all.
Anti-ageing, hydrating, smoothing, shine control, soft focus powders and SPF, it really gets the best out of your skin while looking natural. I like to use my fingertips and apply on areas where needed, then sweeping outwards for a perfect blend. Available in two shades.
RRP $16.99 at Priceline
Lancôme Miracle Cushion
This is a huge Korean craze at the moment, the newest trend in BB inspired foundation that is lightweight, contains skincare and sun protection, but housed in a compact so it can be with you at all times – the first portable liquid foundation, genius!
It works by using a sponge; this is the cushion component, which releases the perfect amount of BB inspired liquid foundation giving anti-ageing and brightening feel, with SPF 23.
So on trend for its ease of application and on the go glow, available in 6 shades.
RRP $60
Dr Jart+ Black Label Detox O2 Cleansing Foam
Another growth in Korean Beauty is the rise of Men openly using and purchasing skincare.
Dr Jart+ is a Korean brand, exclusively at Sephora, covering all areas of skincare and even though it is a unisex brand, I love the Black Label Collection for the masculinity of the packaging.
This vegetable based face wash follows trends of Korean beauty by removing impurities and dead skin cells with detoxifying bubbles that deliver higher levels of oxygen to the skin, revealing a purified, seemingly poreless complexion.
This is a cleanser to make your skin look and feel healthy, without any over-stripping like other face washes.
Regional Marketing Director, Alice Han, from Dr Jart+ states ‘Men’s skincare market will be a big part of growth with Korean beauty for the rest of the year, plus next year along with big trends on sheet mask and cushion makeup for women.’
Available at Sephora.
Estee Lauder Nutritious Rosy Prism – Radiant Essence
Skincare and especially the ‘essence’ category, which we know as a serum, is a big part of Korean Beauty, especially if radiance is involved.
Skin whitening has now turned into skin brightening to cater for western markets and as the Asian skin tone can appear dull or sallow, this range works on brightening and adding nutrients to the skin, with Pink Peony Extract giving any skin feeling dull a rosy, transparent glow.
Sun-induced pigmentation is reduced, skin is brighter and the antioxidants within act as anti-ageing.
Estee Lauder are so in sync with Korean trends, they have signed their first Korean Global Beauty Contributor, Irene Kim. Follow her work at on Twitter and Instagram.
RRP $88
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask Six Piece
The sheet mask has become another very popular Korean beauty trend with many brands joining the bandwagon on these great ‘instant result’ type masks.
They are great as a pick me up treatment, especially when feeling run down or fatigued and best used after exfoliation, once a week to get the most out of this concentrated mask.
This intensive moisture-boosting mask will hydrate and replenish skin, leaving it radiant and crystal clear. Transparency of the skin is a big Asian complexion trend, especially in Korea.
The sheet mask may look scary, but it feels great when the skin absorbs all the goodness from within, leaving your skin texture feel new and fresh.
RRP $140 for 6 sheets (Also available as a sheet for $28)
Korean Skin Health Tips
Topical treatments are one way to keeping youthful and radiant, but Korean beauty can also be more about skin health, from more a holistic approach.
Here are 3 Korean beauty tips to include with your topical treatments.
1. Take Half Baths
A shallow bath is actually better for your circulation with the two half’s of your body being different temperatures; it allows a great flow of oxygen _+ nutrients for optimal cell function. Great excuse to keep your hands dry and grab a book to read.
2. Facial Massage
A lot of typically Korean facials have quite a lot of massage built into them. We too can massage our face daily when applying our skincare to create extra blood flow and circulation – great as a complexion booster.
3. The Face Workout
Just like our bodies, our face has muscles, so why not take them to the gym too? Our facial muscles can also weaken, as well as our skin, causing extra sagging if we don’t exercise these important muscles.
Simple movements and expressions like saying your vowels out loud, A,E, I, O, U, with exaggerated expressions, especially around your mouth can work wonders over time.