K-beauty products to add to cart
Makeup artist-approved skincare, makeup and sunscreen that's worth the hype.
Over the last decade, K-beauty has cemented itself as a serious player in the beauty world here in North America. It’s proven that it isn’t a fleeting trend, it’s big business. Beyond the iconic multi-step skincare routine, K-beauty has it all—buzzy ingredients (think snail mucin and the latest craze, salmon PDRN), innovative textures, and accessible price points.
Looking for top-tier sunscreen? K-beauty is known for its heavy hitters. Want hyper-dewy, glass skin? K-beauty’s got you covered. There are also so many North American brands that’ve been directly inspired by K-beauty. When I was a beauty editor, I’d often speak with brand founders who took research trips to Korea because it was at the forefront of technology and innovation, from the ingredients right down to the packaging.
Recently, K-beauty has been experiencing a resurgence and there are a dizzying array of products out there to choose from. That brings me to my next point. If you’re looking to incorporate K-beauty into your current routine, it can be a bit daunting trying to figure out where to start.
Toronto-based makeup artist Wendy Rorong has always been a glowy presence on my Instagram feed. In addition to being super talented at her craft, she’s also become my go-to source for getting the intel on which K-beauty products to buy. “It all started out of curiosity,” she shares. Her love of K-dramas and K-pop served as a gateway to K-beauty. She began with a deep dive into products that she thought would work best for her skincare concerns, watched endless reviews, placed her first Korean skincare order and never stopped. Part of the appeal was also the affordability factor. “You don't need to spend $200 on a Vitamin C serum when you can get one for $30 and works so well.”
I asked Wendy to share her favourite products to help make it a little easier to navigate the vast K-beauty landscape.
Shopping list: K-beauty products
Roundlab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen: This sunscreen is always number one at Olive Young and I totally agree. It gets absorbed into the skin quickly, is non-sticky, and never leaves a white cast.
Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads: I love to use this in the morning when my skin is feeling dry and dull. I let it sit for about five minutes, and then use it to wipe the rest of my face. My skin instantly feels hydrated and glowy.
Mixsoon Bean Essence: I'm sure you've heard of or seen this viral product before. When I use this to exfoliate the dead skin off my face, I kid you not, my face is soo soft after!
Numbuzin no. 5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum: This serum is more than just a regular Vitamin C serum as it contains glutathione, as well as other ingredients that work together to reduce the appearance of dark spots. I have probably gone through at least eight bottles of this!
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil: This is the first cleansing oil I picked up when I started my K-beauty journey and although I have tried others, I keep going back to this one.
Aestura 365 Atobarrier Cream: This moisturizer is so good for anyone with dry skin or struggling with a damaged skin barrier. It's very hydrating, non-irritating, and doesn't feel heavy or sticky at all. It also works beautifully under makeup.
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum: This is the latest addition to my skincare routine! PDRN is the new "it girl" ingredient in Korea because salmon DNA is close to the ones found in the human tissue. My skin feels immediately plumper when I apply this and it is supposed to boost skin elasticity over time.
Clio Kill Lash Mascara: I love how slim the applicator is, and this mascara is buildable so you can keep layering until you're satisfied. It literally never flakes or smudges under my eyes.
Rom&nd The Juicy Lasting Tint: I have lots and lots of lip tints. If you're new to K-beauty makeup, this line is probably the easiest one to get into. There are so many colours and undertones to choose from, and the formula is so easy to use.
If you’re going to try one thing
Make it sunscreen. “I have tried so many brands and types of Korean sunscreens, and none of them have disappointed me,” says Wendy. “There are so many different ones for different types of skin, and different textures and application methods like liquid, stick or cushion sunscreen.” She’s also a fan of face masks, which are an essential part of Korean skincare routines. “There are probably a hundred different kinds of face masks that exist to tackle every skin concern you may have.”
Add to your travel itinerary
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea, Wendy suggests putting sunscreen at the top of your list. “I recommend testing them out on your hand to feel the texture, because that is such a personal preference.” Her hot tip: “There is a ranking system at Olive Young in Korea (which is basically like Sephora, but with drugstore prices), so when in doubt, you can check out what's ranked #1 at the moment, which is what Koreans actually use. Some of my trusted brands are Numbuzin, Celimax and Anua.”
While everyone flocks to Olive Young, there’s also Hemeko, which sells really good skincare and makeup from indie beauty brands. “[Do] some research before going to Korea and take screenshots of the products you are interested in so that you don't get too overwhelmed with all the K-beauty options out there!”
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