Interview: Fall 2013 Korean Makeup Releases & Skincare Trends With Alice of W2Beauty!
Sponsored September 21, 2013 | Asian Cosmetics, Industry Professionals, Interviews, Shopping Guides
With all the new makeup and skincare releases coming with the season change, I thought this would be a great time to catch up with Alice, the woman behind W2Beauty, and see what trends we’re seeing from our favorite Korean makeup and skincare lines. She has a lot to share – including some suggestions for how to switch up your skincare routine for the cooler weather!
First, a special video greeting from Alice! Be warned – Myeong-dong is a loud place, but luckily the noise doesn’t distract us from our view of Alice, or the Banila Co. shop she’s standing in front of!
Which brands are releasing Fall/Winter collections in Korea right now?
Banila Co. – The Great Love
Etude House – Rose Collection
Missha
Missha – Belle Epoque
Espoir
Espoir – Imprinted Affair
Espoir – Captured Affair
Innisfree – Real Way
Which new releases are you most excited about?
Etude House Rosy Tint Lips!
I already bought No.3 Rose Petal, 7 Tea Rose, 8 After Blossom
No.8 After Blossom is a “MUSTHAVE” item for this F/W season and No.3 Rose Petal is so lovely as my personal taste.
Etude House Rosy Tint Lips
What trends have you noticed with the new Korean makeup collections?
Burgundy! Every F/W season, we are crazy for khaki, brown and gold stuffs but this season, it’s like a burgundy festival 🙂
Missha – Belle Epoque, Fatal Aura
There are so many adorable burgundy lip colors and eye colors. Also warm brown color eye colors are very good for daily look. Recently, Korean ladies love “Shading Makeup” so just brown is not enough. We do care about the differences between brown shades, and there are also some wine/purple color looks.
Banila Co. – The Great Love Collection
Which Fall releases will you be picking up for yourself?
I bought the Etude House Rosy Tints for myself. I also picked one of Innisfree new lipstick because of Yoona..
I don’t mind buying lip color items. I always think that lip color is the best weapon for women.
Now I’m thinking to buy eye shadows. (This means that I’m going to go shopping for myself soon :p)
Let’s talk about skincare. Have you seen any new skincare products hitting the shelves?
Missha Immortal Youth Serum & Cream – this premium anti-aging line is quite new and it’s already popular to people.
A’Pieu snail line has been renewed, they are now using snails that eat Ginseng to make the snail products. This is something that is becoming more and more popular. We believe that if the snails eat ginseng to grow, it will also bring the ginseng properties on top of the snail properties, which would benefit our skin even more.
A lot of people like to change their skincare routines when the weather starts cooling down. Will you be changing anything for your Fall routine?
Indeed, I will do some changes as well ^.^ Not a drastic change though, just incorporate some variation to my skincare routine…
Cleansing
1) Leaders Step Solution Perfect Clearing Foam Cleansing
2) Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip&Eye Remover
Peeling & Scrub
1) Innisfree Volcanic Clay Mask (the hard one)
2) Skinfood Black Sugar Mask
This smells so sweet and it has natural ingredients, it’s mild and feels so reliable.
Pore Care
1) Laneige Pore Tightening Essence
Put this Essence as a final care.
Skin Booster
1) A’pieu Essential Source Snail Vital Cream
My No.1 skincare item, Apieu Essential source snail cream renewal version, Vital Cream!
I already bought 2 bottles, haha 🙂 It’s almost similar, but a bit more fresh and nutritious than the previous one I think.
2) Hanyul Optimizing Serum
I really think that this serum is a MUST HAVE and have now been using it quite regularly. It’s especially great for people who want to have bright and lively skin tone. This Optimizing Serum helps to have even and bright skin tone. This main ingredient is brown pine needles, which helps skin with anti-aging as well.
3) Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
I don’t know why, but I’ve used this essence for almost 2 years already. Whenever I finish using this essence, I buy this like a routine… or I will feel like there is something missing … and that feeling is just not good. ^^
Essence
1) Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence (Kerry’s description and post on the Snail Bee Essence from Benton says it all), that product is great and the price so affordable that it makes it a No.1 choice in any situation.
2) Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Activator Ampoule
This is for night care.
Emulsion
1) Innisfree The Green Tea Pure Lotion
Since my skin is quite oily, I don’t use emulsion that often. However, the weather is going to be cool and cold so I need to start using emulsion.
2) Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Emulsion
I use this for night care.
Facial Oil
1) Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Oil
Sometimes I don’t apply emulsion and creamy cream – instead, I apply facial oil. When using facial oil, it’s really important to cover the face with the palm of your hand to help the skin absorb it.
Cream
1) Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
I think this is and has always been a steady seller and best moisture cream. Can’t handle fall and winter without this cream. This is my super moisture cream.
2) Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
Steam Cream is really a necessity when it’s fall and winter. Steam cream has more moisture than most cream. Sometimes I put a lot of steam cream on my face and sleep. (a self made sleeping pack ^.^)
3) Primera Alpine Waterberry Cream
Night Cream/Sleeping Pack
1) Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX , that… how can I say this … I just love it. ^^ I will be making some packages of my favorites skincare soon 🙂
2) Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Perfect Master Cream
Eye Cream
1) Innisfree Soy Bean Firming Eye Cream
Wrinkle Care
1) Innisfree Eco Science Wrinkle Spot Essence
This wrinkle essence is for eye wrinkle care,but actually I put this on my lip and nose area. It helps a lot. To be honest, my wrinkles fade away with this essence 🙂
Eye Lash Care
1) Etude House Dr Lash Ampoule
I can see the difference when I don’t apply this ampoule on my eye lashes.
Mist
1) Nature Republic Bee Venom Mist
I do love this mist because of the feeling and moisture.
2) Leaders Real Aloe Vera Mist
This mist is portable so I put one in my powder room and one in my bag. Whenever I feel dry or itch, I put this on my face to calm down my skin. It really helps a lot.
Mask Pack
1) Every Mask Sheet from Leaders
They are just great. Just try some of them and you might not stop.
I took 3 Leaders Step Solution masks when I went on a 2 day trip. Haha.
Whenever I have a skin break, I use Leaders Step solution AC-Dressing mask.
2) Skinfood and Innisfree – every mask sheets and packs.
I think the mask sheets and packs of these two brands are quite mild and fresh, so I love to use these brands.
3) Etude House Essential mask sheet – Alphabet A to Z
Etude House renewed their mask sheet line!
The ingredients are much better and the packaging is so cute and pretty. Someday, I will be offering your name written in Etude House mask sheets :p
Trouble Care
1) Leaders Active AC Spot Serum
I really cannot live without this serum.
Whenever my skin feels itchy, I will usually put this on my skin.
I have like 3 of this in my home. I put one in my powder room, one in the bathroom, and one in my bag.
Since it’s quite portable and light, I always have it.
2) Innisfree Jejubija Anti-trouble Spot Essence
Have you noticed any skincare or makeup items selling out quickly?
My recent best sellers are definitely Benton’s products … and I do understand why : ) For the price/quality ratio, I would give it the best score – seriously!
Skincare
1) Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX
2) IOPE bio essence intense conditioning
3) The Saem Harakeke set has been sold quite a few times recently too
4) Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
5) Hanyul Optimizing Serum
Makeup
1) Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream
2) Etude House BB Creams (bright and cotton fit) as well as Etude House CC Cream
3) Ameli Platlips Vampire
4) Tony Moly Backstage Gel Liner
5) Apieu Floral Lipsticks and kissable tint
6) Etude House Lipsticks (Dear my blooming lips talk)
7) IOPE Air Cushion XP
Etude House Rose Collection In-Store Display
What kind of sales can we expect to see with the changing seasons?
I believe you will keep seeing a lot of sales for the sun care products since the Korean brands just want to sell them all before they’re outdated :p You will also be seeing quite a lot of sales for the new items so people can try them out.
I personally will keep having regular sales, and try to stock up some items so that I can keep selling them to you for cheaper price than usual. Do not hesitate to tell me what items you wish so that I have a better idea of what to stock!
Banila Co. – The Great Love In-Store Display
What is your favorite thing about Fall?
The leaves…sounds strange doesn’t it ? I love the colors and just walking in the street with the wind and seeing the leaves fly; I find this quite romantic . I do love Fall’s colors- brown, khaki, wine colors. I’m more of a Fall style girl than a Flashy Summer style :p
For fashion, I love to wear cardigans and leather boots.
Hope you guys like fall as well ^.^ And special thanks to Kerry and all her readers & followers ! You guys are definitely following one of the greatest bloggers I’ve ever met!
Alice
* * * * *
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m crazy excited about all the deep lip colors I’m seeing this season! I’m also anxious to try the new Missha Immortelle Youth skincare line.
You’ll find the items Alice mentioned and more at W2Beauty! You can get a $5 W2Beauty voucher by entering my sponsor code at sign-up: 025605. If there’s something you want but don’t see, be sure to drop Alice an email and let her know. She’ll be happy to get it for you!
Which of these new collections are you most excited about?
Great post! I’ve been seeing deep lip colors all sorts of everywhere, and that’s one trend I’m really liking. I’ve been on the fence about trying the Rosy Tints, but I think this post has convinced me. 🙂
I’m also a huge fan of the deep lip colors this season! I’m looking forward to vamping it up for the next several months.
Which Rose Tint colors are you thinking of getting?
All of them? Haha, not really. No. 8 does seem the most on-trend and is also a color I think would look nice on my face. I also really like no. 5.
Thank you for the great interview. A lot of good info here. My only suggestion for Alice is listing ingredients on the website. I have really sensitive skin and I have to know ingredients before I purchase. It’s hard to search it out sometimes, especially with the language issue. Other than that, I really love W2BEAUTY.
+1! Completely agree with the ingredients thing, since I have very reactive, sensitive acne-prone skin that even reacts to a lot of natural ingredients 🙁 Awesome interview and very helpful!!
Thanks, Grace! 🙂
I feel your pain on the sensitive skin front. I wish ingredient lists weren’t so hard to come by – I find that even the brand websites often lack the information I’m looking for. I use COSDNA for some things, but their product database is limited. 🙁 It’s often difficult, even for third party sellers like W2Beauty, to get the ingredient information we want. My hope is that the brands and manufacturers will meet the need for ingredient transparency as their customer base becomes more knowledgable!
Yes, I would like to agree with both these ladies. Knowing what a product has in it is important especially for any sensititivies and allergies to dyes.
It looks like lips are all the rage. How I would love to do something BOLD, but don’t know what color to try.
Another great interview. ^^ It’s nice to get some info from someone based in Korea about the current brand launches. I’ve noticed the burgundy trend for sure. I’m pleased about it. I love more vampy shades.
Thanks! I am so envious of everyone with the ability to waltz into these stores and swatch all the new stuff. I’m amped about the vampy lip shades, but currently suffering from option paralysis!
I’m turning into a lipstick person and I’m love with those fall colors! I already have a lot coming from Korea but since almost nothing inside is for me I’ll have to shop for some of this items you mentioned!
What do you have your eye on? Think you’ll get any of the deeper lip shades? I bet they’d look amazing on you!
I have my eyes on those Missha lipsticks(never try their makeup) and the Etude House Rosy Tint Lips. I like nude colors but what’s the point of use only nude right? So I’m trying to get use to the deep shades as I think they’re gorgeous BUT I’m still a little bit scare to draw to much attention with a bold makeup!
Finally! I saw your tweet about the interview days ago and have been waiting eagerly! I recently acquired some Benton skin care products and absolutely love them. They make my face so soft and really does remove some of the redness, like you mentioned. The only thing that I’d like to know now is what kind of products are best for “deep cleaning” my face. I still have some spots deep under my skin that are very, very stubborn. I noticed Alice mention Leaders for skin cleaning in both posts, so I might try that out. Do you have any other recommendations? I’ll be ordering products soon, and I’ll also be snagging some of these wonderful make-up products :3
Thank you both for this post!!!
Hey Krystal! I’m so glad the Benton worked out for you. I love that stuff! As for cleansing, I think I can help you, but I’ve got lots of questions for you first! What are you currently using? When you say “deep cleaning,” are you thinking exfoliating, or are you wanting more of a daily cleanser? Is your skin type dry, oily, normal, or dehydrated? And lastly, what are your stubborn spots like? Are they small flesh colored bumps, or are they left over under-the-skin bumps from past cystic breakouts?
I want to follow up on the deep cleaning too, I do not have anything right now. I don’t do anything “deep” just cleanser but I am looking at clarisonic and PMD. I started using benton products because of your blog and it really works wonders on my skin. Before I have a very dry patchy skin now it is nice. Not oily just became normal in a dry weather with the products of course. What exfloiator should I use? thank you! =)I have big pores by the way =( and do not use aa lot of make up, when I do I use missha bb cream and eyeliner and mascara and some blush. not too much. and not on a regular basis.