All posts tagged: k-beauty

Mamonde Floral Hydro Ampoule Toner and First Energy Firming Mask Honeysuckle

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The South Koreans have always been known for their innovative cosmetics. Afterall, Amorepacific invented the BB cushion and single-handedly launched an entirely new category for the global beauty industry. Now with Mamonde, it has possibly launched a world-first gel-textured toner. Unlike your usual watery toner, the Floral Hydro Ampoule Toner is viscous. Lightweight and refreshing, it disappears into the skin with a few gentle rubbing movements. And the formula leaves the skin lightly hydrated, softer and ready to receive serums and moisturisers.  On hot days, place this in the fridge before application to soothe skin. This toner completes the hydrating Floral Hydro range for oily/ combination skin.  The main ingredient in this line: the narcissus with its long-lasting blooms. An extract from the narcissus bulb supposedly improves the moisturisation levels and circulation in the skin.  For best results, use the toner with the bestselling Floral Hydro cream, a relatively heavy-textured gel cream that envelops skin in a layer of moisture. Complete the beauty routine with one of Mamonde’s wide selection of pulpy and squishy sheet …

Sulwhasoo 20th anniversary edition First Care Activating Serum EX and Mask

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When Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum was launched, it caused a stir because it was touted as a pre-serum, the very first step in the already elaborate multi-step Korean beauty routine (of essence, serum, emulsion, cream, suncare, primer, makeup). The slightly viscous gel-like serum is lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin, thus priming it for the subsequent skincare products that will be layered on top. The First Care Activating Serum EX, an improved version of the original concotion and a bestseller in the premium Sulwhasoo’s line-up, is formulated with traditional Korean medicinal herbs that promise to regenerate the skin. Made to hydrate and delay skin-ageing, the serum contains rehmannia, peony, solomon’s seal, lotus, and white lily.  To celebrate Sulwhasoo’s 20th anniversary, the serum now comes in a limited edition 120ml bottle. To complete the skin pampering, Sulwhasoo also launches its new First Care Activating sheet mask. The paper sheet mask is thin yet absorbent, and adheres relatively well to the skin. It is easy to use as it has a soft and thin mesh …

Mamonde launches in Singapore

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South Korean beauty conglomerate Amorepacific is bent on making its presence felt in Southeast Asian markets. After its successful launches with the premium Laneige, youthful Etude House, high-end Sulwhasoo, and masstige Innisfree brands in Singapore, it now introduces Mamonde to the mix. Inspired by flowers 🌸🌼🌺🌹 (the first-ever beauty product in Amorepacific’s heritage was hand-pressed camellia oil), and created with floral extracts, Mamonde was launched in 1991.  Its products feature the ingredients from flowers such as hibiscus, magnolia, camellia, honeysuckle, and lotus. The labels’s star products include: The First Energy Essence made with fermented honeysuckle plant, vinegar and patented lactobacillus to strengthen, and moisturise skin. The Moisture Ceramide Light Cream with hibiscus 🌺 extract and ceramide to keep skin hydrated.  Rose 🌹 Water Toner with Bulgarian damask rose water 💦 which is multi-purpose: toner, makeup-remover, facial mist, and to soak mask sheets. Cover Powder Cushion with peach 🍑 flower 🌺 extract. Offers lightweight coverage, moisture, and a satin-matte finish. Highlight Lip Tint in ten flattering shades to brighten the appearance of fairer Asian skin tones. …

Got swag?: South Korea’s top men’s grooming label – Swagger

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Founded in 2011, Swagger is one men’s grooming label from the land of K-Pop to look out for. Featured in many magazine titles in South Korea, such as GQ, Dazed, Men’s Health, Esquire and Arena, Swagger offers a wide range of products that are all made without parabens. Most of the ingredients are also sourced from Australia. As with many K-beauty products, it is clear that the Swagger range is made with careful thought for men’s grooming needs. Like the Face Optimizer, a multi-purpose formula that is a toner, lotion and essence all-in-one. It is lightweight but promises to moisturise and repair skin. Or the Eyebrow Maker, a fuss-free brow powder pen for natural-looking manly brows. The Beauty Gazette’s other picks: Complemented by its Face Changer Sheet Masks that leaves skin supple, the Face Terminator is a tinted all-in-one BB cream that evens out the complexion subtly and offers SPF50+/PA+++. Lightweight and gives skin a matte finish. The Shot Caller Fragrance Shower Gel, bottled in a container shaped like a whiskey flacon. Pretty packaging aside, it …

How K-Wave Superstar Song Hye Kyo styles her locks

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The goddess of K-dramas, and fever-ed K-Wave dreams, actress Song Hye Kyo’s locks are always perfectly silky-shiny with just the right amount of volume and bouncy curls around her shoulders. Here, she shares how she achieves the perfect hairstyle with her Dyson Supersonic (and trusted stylist). Step 1: Use the dryer without any attachments, and turn it on high heat and high airflow settings. This speeds up the drying of the hair.   Step 2:  To give the roots of your hair some lift, snap on the diffuser. Then use it to “brush” the hair upwards towards the crown.   Step 3: When hair is half dry, snap on the smoothening nozzle, and set the dryer on medium heat and high airflow. Direct the nozzle downwards. The strong airflow will help to seal the cuticles for silky hair.   Step 4: When hair is 80 per cent dry, snap on the styling nozzle for a concentrated airflow to create loose curls. Set dryer on high heat and high airflow.   Step 5: Finally, snap on the …

Pony Effect Customising Lip Palette

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The difference between regular products, and the ones that are designed by make-up artists is always apparent. Like South Korean YouTube sensation Pony’s Customising Lip Palette. It comes with ten creamy shades – including yellow, blue, white, black and purple. The colours are a little too avant garde for your regular K-Beauty brand you say? You could wear them on their own, or mix it with the regular pinks and reds in the palette to customise them. Just like the pros. Here’s how: Add white to make the pinks and reds more pastel Blend black with the pinks and reds for a sexier and darker finish Mix purple in the pinks and reds for the on-trend plummy fall shades Add blue to the pinks and reds for an unexpected purple twist Work yellow into the blues and pinks to turn them into more vibrant and warmer hues Such a simple but clever product. At a time when everyone can pick up make-up tricks off Instagram, YouTube and everywhere else on the Internet; items like these …

Dr Jart Ceramidin Derma Technology sheet mask 

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A good sheet mask is hard to find. This one by Korean label Dr Jart is a pretty  decent one. The sheet mask material is sturdy, slippery and pulpy with a smooth gel-like texture. It clings well to the face even when I am going about my chores in the home. It also holds enough of the serum to soak my face with moisture for 20 minutes before it felt a little dry. And there was plenty of serum in the packet. There was enough for me to slather my face once more with the serum, my entire decolletage and the length of both arms.  After peeling off the mask, I tapped the remaining essence into my face and followed up with my regular skincare routine. The next morning, my face felt considerably smoother to the touch. 

Moonshot Microfit Cushion and Moonflash Cushion 

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Moonshot is South Korean pop manufacturer YG entertainment’s beauty arm. And like the others, it has caught on the cushion compact trend.     In Singapore, the cushion was launched on Friday with a special appearance by (YG entertainment) K-pop star Sandara Park. (The cushion is also fronted by the other YG Entertainment super star, G Dragon) Obviously, Moonshot is banking on the cushions to up the popularity of the brand.  A little re-cap on compact cushions: they pretty much work like a stamp ink pad. So you can do quick touch-ups with liquid foundation on-the-go, and with no mess. It is now an entirely new category of base makeup, apart from the regular liquid, cream and powder foundations. Moonshot’s Microfit Cushion SPF 50+ PA+++ ($36) is available in three light beige shades.  Lightweight with a satin-matte finish, it is made for light coverage or mid-day touch-ups. Pat and blend well with the sponge applicator for a flawless finish. The Moonflash Cushion SPF 50+PA+++ is a pearlescent and sheer cushion highlighter. So just pat it onto …

#Kfever: Laneige makeup on Descendants of The Sun

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It’s happening again. The new K drama Descendants of The Sun has everyone’s eyes strained from watching too much TV.  According to news reports, Descendants has been played more than 670 million times on Chinese video site iQiyi. This new K drama is clearly on its way to surpassing the popularity of the red-hot drama of yester-year, My Love From The Stars. The winning formula is there, as usual.  Man and woman meet.  Man and woman fall in love. Man and woman pretend to not be in love with each other. Man and woman argue. Man and woman fall out. Man and woman meet again in a strange land. The story continues. Add to the mix a hunky baby-faced South Korean actor (this time round, it’s Song Joong-ki), and Kimchi Land’s fave actress (Song Hye Gyo).    Ms Song happens to be the face of Laneige, the flagship label of K Beauty superpower Amorepacific.  And so naturally, you get special makeup appearances 💄💄💄  While prepping for her first date, the female lead whips out …   …

Dr.Jart Dermaclear Trans-foam Clay 

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Best masks I’ve tried in a while. These from Korean brand Dr.Jart are one-of-a-kind. The texture is a cross between a bubbling oxygen mask, clay mask, and a foamy cleanser. It looks like a regular clay mask when you squeeze it out of the tube. It starts to bubble and  form a thick, foamy shaving cream-like layer when applied on the skin. And when you rinse it off after the clay mask dries, it cleanses the skin like a foamy mask. After I used the mask, my skin was super tight, glowy and clean.  But like most clay masks, it left my skin dry. So be sure to use a hydrating mask or thick oil or cream to replenish the moisture afterwards.  There are three formulas: Calming White (cheek areas); Moisturizing Pink (cheek areas); and Refreshing Green (for the oily t-zone and chin). All are made with French clay that cleanses the skin deeply. Perfect for multi-masking ✌🏻️