topic Advice about Korean Beauty? in Beauty

Advice about Korean Beauty?

Barbara Mom of 5 — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:39:38 GMT

I only very rarely post here, but I have been on a seemingly never-ending search for skincare that really helps to keep my dry skin hydrated (not just to hydrate it, but to help it retain moisture) and help it to look nice and dewy. I am clearly behind the learning curve, but I've only recently stumbled upon the Korean beauty craze, and wow! I'm interested! I've been reading K-blogs and watching videos online the past few days and am ready to whip out my credit card! I've searched these beauty boards for info and have came across a few older posts, but I'll broach the subject again. Sorry if any of this is repetitive.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for the following:

1. Good websites to buy from

2. Any Korean brands that I should avoid for any reason?

3. Good blogs/websites to gather information about products

4. A particular question about vitamin C in regards to K-beauty: I always thought a vitamin C product was a "must" for skin, but I notice a lack of any mention of vitamin C products in Korean beauty.... why is this? There seems to be such an emphasis on dewy, fresh glow, so I'm surprised at that the lack of vitamin C Korean products.

On a fun note, if you have time and are interested, you can find English-subtitled episodes of "Get It Beauty" online.... super-fun to watch! And very funny, too!

Re: Advice about Korean Beauty?

Campion — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:52:16 GMT

I use a few things from Korean lines but I just order from Amazon. I don't like spreading my credit card around on random websites.

I use BB cream in summer (has sunscreen and works as light foundation) and I use cleansing oil. I use Hanskin for BB Cream (recommended on the Makeup Alley forum) and it's SPF 30 which is good for most days except being outdoor all day, and I use Holika Soda Pore Light Cleansing Oil (no mineral oil, based on grapeseed and argan.) Not expensive, either. Most of the time, other than that, I use DHC for moisturizers and soap--Japanese line, not Korean.

Re: Advice about Korean Beauty?

Merrylass — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:17:34 GMT

Missha has good products and a website in the U.S. (look up Missha US).

Re: Advice about Korean Beauty?

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 16:28:18 GMT

@barbara Mom of 5 wrote:
I only very rarely post here, but I have been on a seemingly never-ending search for skincare that really helps to keep my dry skin hydrated (not just to hydrate it, but to help it retain moisture) and help it to look nice and dewy. I am clearly behind the learning curve, but I've only recently stumbled upon the Korean beauty craze, and wow! I'm interested! I've been reading K-blogs and watching videos online the past few days and am ready to whip out my credit card! I've searched these beauty boards for info and have came across a few older posts, but I'll broach the subject again. Sorry if any of this is repetitive.
So, I'm looking for recommendations for the following:
1. Good websites to buy from
2. Any Korean brands that I should avoid for any reason?
3. Good blogs/websites to gather information about products
4. A particular question about vitamin C in regards to K-beauty: I always thought a vitamin C product was a "must" for skin, but I notice a lack of any mention of vitamin C products in Korean beauty.... why is this? There seems to be such an emphasis on dewy, fresh glow, so I'm surprised at that the lack of vitamin C Korean products.

On a fun note, if you have time and are interested, you can find English-subtitled episodes of "Get It Beauty" online.... super-fun to watch! And very funny, too!

@Barbara Mom of 5 If you're interested in Korean skincare, you will have lots of reading to do. I was using several Korean products before I jumped on the Skinn bandwagon a year ago. I still have a few favorites that I won't give up though. Once I decide on a product that I want to buy, I usually have pretty good luck getting it from Amazon or eBay rather than ordering from overseas. If you want anything that Missha carries, the wait isn't too bad via their US site, but it's still faster with Amazon or eBay.

The Pretty and Cute site is a good place to read reveiws on a large assortment of products and they also provide ingredient lists in the product listings. Peach and Lily is too.

Just as with anything American made, you'll have to sort through things via your own trial and error. Read ingredient lists and reviews, then decide what you want to try. My favorite cleansing oil is Dr. Young Camellia Deep Cleansing Oil - I get it on Amazon. I like Tony Moly's First Essence. It has a highest concentration of galactomyces ferment filtrate that I've seen. Mizon makes some nice products too. I use their Original Skin Energy Peptide 500 Ampoule and Collagen Power Lifting Emulsion. I also find various brands of assorted sheet masks on Amazon. Missha makes some really good BB creams. I also use their BB Boomer, which is a BB Cream primer and contains pearl powder. Again, look for them on eBay or Amazon.

There is a very popular Korean Vitamin C serum called O.S.T. 20 that's actually very popular. The problem with it, though, is that it's made with L-Ascorbic Acid so it oxidizes quickly. I used it for awhile. It's relatively inexpensive, but it was always oxidize before I could finish the bottle. The do recommend storing it in the 'fridge to extend the life, but I find that to be inconvenient. There are others, if you research "Korean Vitamin C Serums", if that's what you want to use. IMO, there are plenty of American made Vitamin C Serums that could fit the bill.

Re: Advice about Korean Beauty?

HappyDaze — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:11:53 GMT

The only Korean beauty products I use are Missha BB creams. I have tried several other Korean brand BB creams but for my skin and needs, Missha's are the best. I've been buying it for years now and although I have bought from their website, I prefer to buy it from Amazon because it is so much cheaper. I tend to buy it from Beauty Best LLC off Amazon. Great prices and the real deal. Super fast shipping too.

Re: Advice about Korean Beauty?

FUTURE — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:12:11 GMT

Here's what I use/have used Korean beauty wise:

Missha BB cream & Cushion compact (enjoy both)

Tony Moly, Karuna, Hado Labo, Missha sheet masks (obsessed!!)

Mizon hyauluronic ampouole (just ok, inexpensive on Amazon)

Missha First Treatment Essence (I enjoy it, but haven't noticed any major changes in my skin since using)

Hado Labo night moisture serum (I think is the name???? Sorry!! - but I enjoy this)

May Coop Raw Sauce (sephora - tried samples and enjoyed, but waiting to use up the Missha FTE before I continue with it)

There a few other products I've tried in the distant past, but they obviously weren't HG or amazing, bc I don't remember them. Lol!

As for where to look for Korean beauty info -- the mothership, IMO, is Reddit Asian Beauty forum. Those people are ALL up in the K-beauty products. I like that it's tons of information in one place, and you don't have to go to numerous blogs for different info. HTH!!