This guide is categorized by price range and is focused on popular brands in Korea. I've chosen these brands because they are often very popular in the Asian Beauty community or because they have a large product assortment. In other words, this is not a comprehensive list - there are other brands there I haven't covered here such as The Face Shop.
- ($) Lower means many of the products cost <$15 and can be likened to drugstore pricing.
- ($$) Middle means a sizable portion of the products cost $15 and above - $50.
- ($$$) Higher end means $50 and up.
Pictured in the guide are links to some of the brands most popular products, which can give you an idea of some products that you might want to try first.
NOTE: Brands that predominately make sheet masks will be covered in a separate guide. I am also planning on covering brands that specialize in BB / CC creams / make-up such as Skin79, A'Pieu, etc.
Holika Holika is a relative newcomer to the Asian beauty scene as it was created in Korea in 2010. I would say their most talked about product is the Baby Foot Mask Sheet - as its name suggests, it is designed to turn your rough, dry and cracked feet baby smooth. I have heard from others who have used that mask that you will marvel as sheets of your skin peel off. (This mask perhaps isn't for the weary!) I have revealed a few of Holika Holika's other popular products here and here.
(From left to right): Pig Nose Clear Blackhead 3 Step Kit | Baby Foot Mask Sheet (1 day use)
Baviphat is sometimes also referred to as Urban Dollkiss (it does not appear to have a website). This brand does not have as wide of a variety of products as some of the other brands on this list. Overall, I believe this brand is better for young adults for similar reasons as detailed for Tony Moly below.
(From left to right): Apple AC Therapy Sleeping Pack - see also Lemon and Peach versions | Juicy Mask Sheet (various)
Tony Moly is also a brand that seems to be making inroads in the U.S. - I've seen it stocked at Ulta as well as Urban Outfitters! A lot of the products are really cutely packaged as it should be - Tony Moly means "putting style into packaging". however, I don't really like purchasing / using the cute products - the packaging often turns out to be hard to use and turns out to be more of style over substance in terms of product efficacy. The brand is relatively young (started in 2006) so this may provide an explanation. Overall, I believe this brand is better for young adults.
(From left to right): Peach Hand Cream | Panda's Dream Cool Eye Stick | I'm Real Sheet Masks (Varies) - Check out my detailed review of these masks here.
It's Skin is another brand that seems to be making inroads in the U.S. - Currently many of its products are sold at Sephora. The company was started by dermatologists from Seoul University. The Power10 Formula Effector is one of the most popular It's Skin products and comes in 11 different types.
(From left to right): Macaron Lip Balm (here and here) | Power 10 Formula Effector (Various) | Cookie & Body Ice Cream
Etude House - This is a brand that really wants its customers to feel like princesses (hence all the prink branding). The Wonder Pore Freshner is good for those with oily skin. I have reviewed the Baking Power Cleansing Foam here. I'm not the biggest fan of this brand because as someone with normal / combination skin that sometimes gets very dry I feel this brand is more for those with oily skin and would work better for young adults who have puberty-induced acne.
(Left to right): Moistfull Collagen Cream | Wonder Pore Fresher (Toner) | Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam (there is a new "upgraded version of this product so the packaging looks different from the one pictured)
Skinfood is a brand that seems to be making inroads in the U.S. I've seen it stocked at Ulta. I think Skinfood is a brand that will succeed in the U.S. just because of its dedication to food based ingredients and the fact that it was established in 1957. Skinfood has a wide variety of products that are in the realm of drugstore pricing, but also has more premium lines such as the Yuja Water and Fresh Apple lines, which can be categorized in the Middle category. Unlike a couple of other Korean skincare brands, it is actually pretty easy to shop on the Skinfood website, as opposed to eBay, with free shipping over $50 an a variety of discounts / promotions. I have reviewed Skinfood's Black Sugar Honey Wash Off Mask so far, read the review here.
(Left to right): Aloe Vera 92% Gel | Super Aqua Soft Peeling Gel | Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser
Overall: I would say that Tony Moly, Baviphat, Etude House, Holika Holika are for the younger / teenage consumer while Nature Republic and Skinfood have a broader applicability to adults and middle aged adults.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions on any of the products listed, the brands listed, or anything else! Also stay tuned for my middle price and higher price brand breakdown to post by the end of this week!
No comments :
Post a Comment