Korean skincare haul

Korean cosmetics have been popular in Japan, just like in any other western countries, maybe even more. No wonder: it’s difficult to beat the cost-effectiveness as well as the innovation and all the fun that Korean cosmetics can provide us with!

As I went to spend a couple of days in Seoul, I brought back some of the popular products…ok it’s not a haul but here is the review!

Innisfree

As this brand has already shops outside Korea, you may know that Innisfree is a Korean cosmetic brand that is nature oriented and uses ingredients from Jeju island, the UNESCO world heritage island in the south of Korea. One of their star ingredients is the green tea.

There are many top sellers but I chose to try their cushion foundation. After all, Korea is the country where it was born!

Innisfree Ampoule Moisture Cushion

I was advised among cushion foundations for oily skin, combination skin and dry skin. I chose the one for dry skin: Ampoule moisture cushion foundation.

This cushion foundation is infused with green tea seed oil from Jeju to give a moisturized finish.

SPF is rather low compared to Japanese standard foundations: SPF 34.

The puff and the case are sold separately. It seems like the collaboration with famous characters for packaging is booming in Korea right now. There were so many choices of cases!! …but I chose the less flashy and the most standard one.

Innisfree cushion foundation review

The product is indeed very hydrating. Even after spending the day in an air-conditioned office, the skin had not become dry. The finish is very natural and it doesn’t have a strong coverage, so even if you layer many times, the makeup doesn’t look thick. The finish is similar to the BB cream finish which I am used to. Maybe I would have preferred with a little bit more coverage.

It gives a lot of glow, actually too much for me, especially in summer so I layer a bit of setting powder. It has a slight fragrance, difficult to guess the nature but it’s not bothering.

I think this cushion foundation will be perfect for dry winter in Japan.

Skinfood

Skinfood is pretty well-established all over the world now. It’s a Korean cosmetic brand that uses food such as fruits and vegetables as ingredients to take advantage of their cosmetic benefits.

Among the world best sellers, I chose the already too well-known product maybe:

Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

This exfoliating mask contains black sugar granules that remove the dead skin and provide moisture and nourishment.

Surprisingly, the mask has a citrus like fragrance, fresh and pleasant.

The product first solid with granules turns into a liquid after a while when you rub it on the skin.

The skin was left smooth and hydrated after the use and I didn’t feel the need to apply a body cream after the bath. It’s a nice product but at the same time, I have never been very disappointed by a scrub. If I were to compare with another great scrub, “Oh Baby” from House of Rose that I presented here, I think I would choose the latter.

 

I was amazed by the number of cosmetics you can find on the market in Seoul. There seems to be always so many new products. Most of them are reasonably priced and good quality products, since the market is so competitive. It’s a shame I didn’t have enough time to go and discover some more, maybe next time!