Product Review: K-beauty edition

These past few years I've been slowly building my Korean beauty collection - which includes both skincare and haircare (but mostly skincare) - so I'll be sharing some of my favourite K-beauty products and how I use them.

(click on the images for the link, some items can be found in-store at TKMaxx for a cheaper price.)

too cool for school - Egg Remedy Hair Oil

The first ever Korean brand product I'd bought that still has a special place in my heart.

It's a serum for your hair that makes your hair ridiculously soft (even when applied on dry hair). I have a dry curly hair texture and even when my hair is blown out or curly, my strands

have never felt so much softness until now.

How I use it: Two pumps of the product after washing my hair (on towel dry hair) as the last product I use, from mid-lengths to ends. Or I use it during the week after I've styled my hair to prevent frizz and keep my hair smooth.

Final verdict: So if your hair is needing something to keep it soft and shiny, I HIGHLY recommend too cool for school's Egg Remedy Hair Oil (oh and the smell is just divine, not eggy at all!)

esfolio - 3HA Tea Tree Toner

If you have sensitive reactive skin like mine, this toner is super gentle on your skin as well as moisturising without drying your skin. This toner's great for gentle chemical exfoiliation, whilst toning any blemishes as it has tea tree oil in it which is soothing to the skin.

How I use it: I don't use cotton pads as I feel it wastes the product. So after washing my face, with clean hands, I pour a few drops onto my palms and rub them together. I gently dab my hands on my face (not rub) to soak in the product.

Final verdict: I use this part of my skin-cycling routine, but also started using this toner as a base for my foundation to prevent break-outs - a little Korean makeup artist hack (and it works!!). It definitely clears my pores and my face visibly looks brighter.

BEAUSTA - Cica Recipe Serum

A lovely dupe for the Dr Jart cicapair range, but is afforable and pretty much does the same thing (a little secret of ours now). It's used for hyper-pigmentation or blemishes/redness you can often get. The cica plant in it is made for soothing redness and sensitive skin, whilst also creating a moisurising barrier.

How I use it: After washing my face, with clean hands, I add a few drops straight onto my face in the evening only in areas that are looking red and blemished.

Final verdict: I don't use this product that often but is great for those irrated red-skin days. I've seen some improvement overnight, so I'll definitely be using it more in the future.

It's Skin - Blue Snail Moisturizer

A recent purchase of mine as I've been needing a moisturiser that actually keeps my face moisturised (take a shot every time I say moisturise). This cream has blue snail mucin which is basically snail slime, but not in the disgusting smelly way. It's a daily moisturiser to be used any time of the day.

How I use it: As part of my skin-cycling routine, I would use it every 3-4 nights. But it's also great for after shower, or after you've washed your face for instant hydration.

Final verdict: It keeps my face super plump all day/night, this one's definitely a win when it comes to moisturisers. Especially if you don't want to spend a lot of money on other expensive Korean brands.

LANEIGE - Lip Sleeping Mask [chocolate]

A very popular lip product that's been circling around the internet. It's a sleeping lip mask, but I've seen people use this as a normal day-time lip balm, but I recommend if you want to use this during the day, it's best to get one of the pink flavours (or anything close to your lip shade) as it tints your lips.

How I use it: You can physically exfoilate your lips if you wanted, and then apply a thick layer onto your lips before bed.

Finaly verdict: Yes I've heard people call this the expensive Vaseline (and I don't totally disagree) but if your lips are super parched and cracked, this sleeping lip mask will save your lips the next day, for sure. And I purchased the chocolate flavour thinking it would just be the scent (but it makes my lips look like I've eaten a whole chocolate bar) which is why I use mine as a sleep lip mask.

COSRX - Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+

One of my FAVOURITE Korean SPFs. This SPF is great for those who have senstive/reactive skin as it's got aloe extract in it for soothing effects. It offers great protection against UVA and UVB rays whilst keeping your face hydrated. It's what you would call a chemical suncreen which absorbs into your skin for protection under the skin.

How I use it: Proud to say I wear sunscreen every time I leave the house, even on dull days. I use a good amount for my whole face including my neck (and double chin). It acts both as a moisturiser and SPF. They say to reapply through-out the day, but I only apply it once.

Final verdict: It leaves no white cast which is the biggest issue when it comes to Korean SPFs, it absorbs into my skin quickly without feeling sticky, and actually keeps my face hydrated all day.

Skin1004 - Hyalu-cica Water Fit Sun Serum SPF50+

Another SPF that I've recently purchased, this is a more water-base SPF that is meant to be thinner and lighter on the face. With the same UVA and UVB protection feature, it has cica and hyaluronic acid for hydration and helps with any blemishes.

How I use it: I use it the same way as the COSRX sunscreen (above), everyday before I leave the house, even on cloudy days. A good amount goes a long way and can last the whole day. I sometimes use this a SPF base before my makeup for moisture.

Final verdict: It feels really light-weight on your face, so it feels like you have nothing on which is a good thing, especially if you want to layer it, plus it doesn't leave a white cast and is quick absorbant.

esfolio - Pure Snail Hand Cream

I wanted to see the hype behind the snail mucin products for myself, so this was the first snail product I had purchased, but for my hands. Esfolio had other scents in the range, but I felt for my dry hands, snail mucin may be the best fit.

How I use it: Before bed I use a thumbprint size of lotion and massage onto my whole hands and wrist. Not during the day as I end up touching everything.

Final verdict: It's not sticky or too oily which makes this product great for night, but keeps my hands nice and moisturised. And has a pleasant smell (surprisingly not snaily).

This has been my K-beauty product reviews, hope this has inspired you if you were thinking about purchasing any of the products above, or comment below any Korean brands you're a big fan of.

Mona out.