Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews

It’s that time again! The season change this year has heralded the arrival of a ton of new skincare and makeup releases from big name Korean brands including IOPE , Laneige, Etude House, Hera, Hanyul, and  many others. This year, many of the brands’ classic skincare lines underwent a renewal along with all the new makeup additions. I caught up with Alice, the woman behind online Korean cosmetics shop W2Beauty,  and asked her about all the changes we’re seeing for Spring/Summer (S/S) 2014, and she had a lot to share.

Here’s the low-down on all the new releases:

What brands have new releases in for the Spring/Summer 2014 season?

Ohh! There are hundredssss of new products! All brand have their new releases for the season and most of them show new lip colors. I can expect a colorful S/S season. 🙂

The color changes always delights me. That’s the transition showing that we are really changing seasons and how good it is for winter to finally be over!

For lips, there are many new lip colors from almost all brands. I think spring starts from lips of girls. Laneige added new S/S lip colors for their Serum Intense Lipstick, which is already popular. Etude house releases the “Color Lips Fit.” It fits on the lips so well and the feeling is so light.

IOPE Water Fit Lipstick and Color Lipstick is already this S/S season’s hottest item. Color no.44 “Forever Pink” is the color that Korean superstar Jun Ji Hyun wore in “You Who Came from the Stars,” and it’s a super HOT selling item even though the drama ended 2 months ago. It’s still hard to get nowadays as the demand is just crazily high, haha.

Missha, Apieu, banila co also have new lip colors… really almost every brand!

Also, nail polishes are popular items right now. Aritaum Modi Nail has new S/S colors, Laneige Water Drop Nail, Etude House Play Nail Campus Runaway, The Face Shop Expert Nails Real Diamond, Skinfood Nail Vita Alpha from Rose Makeup Line, Nature Republic Color and Nature, etc. – there are just sooo many colors and I love it so much! 🙂

Regarding the makeup, there have been some really interesting releases.

• Hera Magic Starter is a kind of makeup base product, before putting on makeup, apply this starter on the facial skin. It really moisturizes the skin. There is a Korean phrase about well-fitted makeup. We say, “Skin ate your makeup well today!” This means that the skin is really moisturized and prepared. It also helps to hold the makeup on the face, so after using this starter, I feel that my makeup stays a bit longer than usual.

• Tonymoly BCDation is also new and already a hot item. It’s lighter than BB cream but coverage is higher than CC cream. As implied by the name, this is a mix of BB, CC, and Foundation. It’s a new concept that I find very original and that works. 🙂

•  The History of Whoo Gong Jin Hyang Seol Whitening Essence Sun, I would say this is an essence with sun screen, not sun block with essence. It’s really moisturizing and it sinks into skin so fast. I had a test at the shop and I bought this without thinking. I fell in love!

•  Innisfree came up with many different foundations. The Innisfree Smart Foundation line is really, really promising! You can see a video on my YouTube channel showing you how it works. You will definitely want to give it a try, especially after seeing the “how to use” video. 🙂

For skincare, I would say there are 2 functions that were focused on for this S/S season. Moisture with a lighter texture, and whitening skin tone.

The new Hanyul Rice Skin Balancing Softner is a new hit item. The rice is from Yeoju, which is a famous region for producing excellent rice. This is also shown by Jun Ji hyun in the drama “My Love from Another Star.”

Laneige and Innisfree also renewed some of their most popular lines – the Water Bank line for Laneige, and the Green Tea line for Innisfree.

IOPE renewed their Whitegen Ampoule Essence to White Ampoule Essence Bio Luminous, and Skinfood also renewed their Tomato Whitening line. The tomato extract concentration is higher and whitening effect is much better. Missha’s Time Revolution White Cure line was renewed, and is now the Time Revolution White Cure Blanc. There is a serum and a spot eraser, which work for freckles and darkened skin.

I’m also quite excited by Primera Miracle Seed Essence that came out about a month ago and is currently getting the spotlight at Primera’s shop. I really can’t wait to try it at home regularly instead of just trying the testers in the shop, hihi!

There are so many new products for this S/S and more are coming like…every week! Hope you guys are as excited as I am whenever there are new products coming out!

Are there any new releases you are especially excited about?

Personally, I think that Etude House Dust Cut Facial Mist is the one of the most well-made products this season. Nowadays in Korea, we are fighting with fine dust from China. This fine dust is made of really small particles that we cannot see, so it’s really easy to come into our pores and even lungs. Unfortunately, because it’s microscopic dust, it doesn’t come out from our body. This is really harmful to our body and skin. This mist is for that kind of situation. It makes a special barrier for our skin so it blocks the dusts from our skin. It makes me feel a bit more secure using this mist for going out. I use this mist on my pillow as well, haha. It’s like a coating for my pillow (well, that’s what I think… can’t tell if it really works though).

I’m also quite excited about all the new makeup and especially the color makeup (eyeshadow, lipsticks, tints, etc). Those are really what best characterize the season’s changes 😀

Have you noticed any trends among the new Korean makeup collections?

1. Collaboration with designers to create limited editions

I LOVE limited editions since it puts a psychological pressure on you like … “if you don’t get it now, you won’t have it anymore.” This season is like heaven for me, but my bank account really does not feel that way. Nowadays I can see so many collaborations and new limited editions with their special and beautiful packaging. For example, Hera collaborated with Au Jour le Jour, and they made a really unique design! Also, Etude House made a Cinderella collection. Last year I loved the Mini Mouse, and this Cinderella is also so cute! You can see charming Cinderella on the Etude house Magic Cushion.

Apieu had a collaboration with Booto (it’s a short word for Boocruwun tokki: shy rabbit). A little rabbit is so cute with their popular tint! Banila co collaborated with United Colors of Benetton. You can see their new packaging for makeup such as The Kissest Tinted Creamy Lip Crayon, and the Color Auto Stick Shadow.

The Face Shop had a collaboration with Korean illustrator Park AeRan, and Sulwhasoo is doing a collaboration with traditional Korean Beauty Artist Son DaeHyeon for First Care Activating Serum. That’s a lot, isn’t it? And I hear more are coming … surprise, surprise! 🙂

2. Makeup Supporter/Skincare Finishers

I would say these are a kind of supporter for makeup because the main function is for helping absorbing skincare products into facial skin and then preparing facial skin for base makeup even though the textures or the name is so different.

There are so many makeup supporters nowadays: Sulwhasoo Luminature Essential Finisher, Hera Magic Starter, Etude House Conditioning Cream, Missha Geumseol Giyoon Finish Essence, Apeiu Eco Fresh Original 100 Essence Finisher and Banila co Finishing and Boosting Moisturizing/Balancing Finish Cream.

Brands keep developing this kind of makeup supporter and it seems like the makeup starter and finisher is going to be the new trend now.

3. Cushion

Isn’t it Cushion – era? Just few months ago, I could see only IOPE’s air cushion and Hera UV Mist Cushion but now there are a lot! All brands have their own cushion now, I believe. I think Korean girls (maybe not only Korean girls, haha) fell in love with cushions and brands are working for us. Haha.

Cushion is a base makeup product with BB cream, CC cream, or foundation. The package is like a pact, but there is a cushion in the bottom with liquid type of base makeup cosmetic. For applying to the face, we need to use an air puff for better coverage. Generally its texture is really moist and really, really easy to apply. You just need to tap on the top of the skin!

If you want real makeup with more coverage, then foundation or BB cream may be a better option. However, if you like natural makeup then this is the perfect item for you. 🙂

Among the most popular ones in Korea right now, there are IOPE Air Cushionx XP, Laneige BB Cushion, Etude House Any Cushion, Hera UV Mist Cushion, Banila co CC Cushion, Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion, The Face shop Cushion Screen Cell, Primera Watery CC Cushion, Lirikos Marine UV Water Cushion, Amore Pucific Treatment Color Control Cushion, even IOPE released cushion for men (IOPE Men Air Cushion)!

Which spring releases will you be picking up for yourself?

I’d love to buy IOPE Whitening Ampoule Essence Bio Luminous! And the Primera Miracle Seed Essence. Those are the two items I really look forward to trying out.

Have you seen any new skincare products hitting the shelves?

During the month of April, there were a lot of new and renewed products and lines released!

[Renewal] Skinfood Premium Tomato Whitening Line

[Renewal] Laneige Water Bank Line – 2014 version

[Renewal] Missha Time revolution White Cure Science Blanc Serum/Spot Eraser

[Renewal] Iope White Ampoule Essence Bio Luminous

[Renewal] Innisfree Green Tea Line – 2014 version

[New] Hera Cell Essence/Cream

[New] Nature Republic Saccharomyces Ferment The First Essence Line

[New] Innisfree Forest for Men Perfect All in One Skin

[New] Etude house Dust Cut Line

[New] Primera Super Sprout Serum

[New] The Face Shop Core Seed Purifying Essence

[New] Hanyul Rice Line

[New] Banila co Finishing and Boosting Moisurizing/Balancing Finish Cream

[New] Holika Good Cera Line

[New] Missha Near Skin Total Essential Serum/Cream

What about other trends – are you seeing any new ingredient, formula, or even packaging trends among new skincare lines?

1. Moisturizing factor

I think currently brands are focusing on the moisturizing factor for their skincare products. For example, Laneige is focusing on the “water”, The Face Shop is focusing on the “seed” and Hera is focusing on the “water near our body.”

2. Smarter techniques

Hera brand focused on the “water near our body” with their Bio Technique approach, and IOPE conducted a special report about Korean girls’ beauty for the past 8 years. Based on that report, IOPE renewed existing products and produced new products. IOPE Whitegen Ampoule Essence Bio Luminous was a result of this report.

Regarding the packaging, I would say that everything is still quite traditional: jar, tube, pump, spray, ampoule… nothing outside of the box just yet but, who knows? Maybe something new is about to arrive! Hehe.

Concerning ingredients, seeds, plants, and flowers are getting a lot of focus nowadays, as seen with the lotus for Mamonde, rose for Su:m37 and Mamonde, and green tea for Innisfree.

3. Collaboration

As I said eariler, brands are now having some new package design in collaboration with designers, especially AmorePacific’s brands: Etude House, Hera, Sulwhasoo, but also Banila Co and A’Pieu.

What about your own skincare routine? Will you be changing anything now that the weather is warmer?

My skincare routine changed quite a lot from our last interview, indeed!

This is my current routine, but it’s subject to change since I’m always on the hunt for great new items. I do enjoy trying out new products so that I can better help you with recommendations 😀

First, makeup removing and CLEANSING! I use Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil for removing my base makeup and Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover for point makeup. I remember that I mentioned this item in the last interview as well, and it’s still among my favorites. Sometimes, when I’m really lazy, I use cleansing tissue or cleansing water, though I believe cleansing oil is the best item for removing makeup because most of the makeup products are produced with an oil base. When I use the oil, I can actually see how much BB cream or foundation I put on my face that day. ;p Good sign isn’t it ?.

There is also the super popular Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick that I’m enjoying nowadays, but for a better review, please read Kerry’s – it is really the best you can find!

After removing makeup, it’s time for cleansing. These days I focus on peeling since during winter, the dead skin builds up on my face and it makes my skin tone duller. I use Leaders Yogurt Cleansing Mousse for cleansing. It comes out in a really soft, thick mousse foam that contains AHA. Apply the foam to the face and roll it softly. When I put that foam on my face, I wait for 20 -30 seconds as you would with a pack, then wash off with water. It’s not drying, so I fell in love with this!

I also use many cleansing foams for testing, such as the Mamonde Lotus Micro Mild foam, but I always come back to Leaders Perfect Clearing Foam Cleanser, and Leaders AC Stop Foam Cleanser. When I have some troubles, these are the best items for helping my skin to recover.

I always use a “bubble maker.” There are two types of bubble makers: bubble web and bubble ball. I prefer a bubble ball since it helps me to get much thicker foam. When using the bubble foam, I try not to rub my skin too hard. I just feel the movement of the foam.

When I will be wearing light makeup, I use IOPE Enzyme Powder Wash. It has small exfoliants so it also works for daily peeling. For this powder wash, using the bubble ball is really helpful since the exfoliations can hurt your skin. Bubble ball helps to melt it enough for sensitive facial skin. I also use Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Mask and Skinfood Black Sugar Mask once a week for deep cleaning pores.

After cleansing, I use either use the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshener, Benton Aloe BHA Toner, or the IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning, depending on my mood. 🙂 The first two help to clean waste and dust from facial skin and moisturize my skin. Benton Aloe BHA Toner also helps calm skin. When I have some skin troubles, I use Leaders AC Stop Toner. After wiping with cotton pad once, I soak 4 cotton pads with toner and place them on my face, forehead, cheeks and chin like mask pack. Haha. It really helps to calm my skin.

For the skin boosting, I use my lovely A’pieu Essential Source Snail Cream and Hera Cell Essence. Apieu Snail Cream is for calming my skin when I had a hard day. Hera Cell Essence is a new item I’m testing. I feel that my skin texture is a bit better than before. If I use more than 20 days, then I can give more specific review for it, but for now, it is really promising !

Regarding my pore concerns, IOPE Pore Clinic Tightening Essence is my favorite essence currently! When I use this essence, it’s like I cast a spell like “make it smaller, smaller” – and it does work. 🙂 There is also the Innisfree Green Persimmon Pore Essence I use currently, and it does works quite nicely as well.

For moisturizing, I use Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum. I like to use emulsions in the winter season because it makes an oil barrier, so sharp winter wind doesn’t hurt me. This past winter, I loved using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion. Since it’s becoming warmer now, I need to change to a “fresher” one ! 🙂

For cream, I use Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream and IOPE Ultimate Hydro Cream. For the winter I needed to protect my skin, so I used the moisture type. Now it’s time to change to Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream. It’s really good to have the renewed version!

I also use Laneige White Plus Eye Cream and Innisfree Eco Science Wrinkle Care Cream.

To be honest, I don’t use all these products every day. It depends on how I feel and what my skin is doing, and I kind of adjust accordingly. When I feel like I need more moisture, I add more. When I feel tired, I just put some mist on my face and apply a cream. I like Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Mist or Innisfree Green Tea Mist (you might have noticed… I kind of love Innisfree).

Since the weather is becoming warmer, the most important item is sun block! It’s not only to prevent darkening, it’s also for anti-aging. I think sun block is like clothes for the skin. We don’t go out without any clothes, naked! 🙂 Haha. So it’s really important to have some sunblock too.

Currently I’m using two sun blocks. When my skin is sensitive, I use Leaders UV Moist Sun Gel. For normal days, I use The History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Seol Whitening Essence Sun. When I tested this sun block at the shop, I just bought it without thinking, I really liked it like a crush. 🙂 It’s really moist, and gives me natural glow from within. There is also the Hera Sun Mate Leports that would be a safe choice for you if you are looking for a good sun block.

Have you noticed any makeup or skincare lines selling out quickly?

There are some really REALLY HOT items.

–IOPE Water Fit Lipstick in No.44 Forever Pink. This lipstick is really popular. When I get them in I have to ship them out directly, and I still have a pre-order queue for it despite the fact that I’ve been receiving regular shipments already. It’s the color of Jun Ji Hyun from the drama, “My Love from Another Star.” This drama ended 2 months ago but this lipstick is still out of stock… that’s how strong the demand is!

-Another hot selling item is the Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick. Ever since the review for it by Kerry, my stock completely vanished and even the headquarter is now having a hard time supplying me. 🙂 It’s a stick type cleansing balm and fermented rose is the main ingredient, so the fragrance is really good and it melts the makeup so well.

–Hanyul Ja Woon Dan Balm is also really popular. It’s a kind of entire body balm that includes face. It’s really easy to apply, and it’s moist so I think it’s a good gift for older ladies.

–Hera UV Mist Cushion is also hot selling item. I receive orders and inquiries everyday! And I’m unfortunately having a hard time getting them these days.

Any chance we might be seeing a spring or summer sale soon?

I recently dropped all the prices in my shop, so it’s like having a sale every day of the year instead of just for a period of time. I want to focus on making the discounts I get for you all year round, so that you can have the best shopping experience possible. 🙂 But regarding the special sales, I will definitely organize something around June. 😀 Maybe a special gift for all readers coming to my shop from Skin & Tonics, what do you say ?

What is your favorite thing about spring?

“Flower Picnic!”

When April and May comes, we see so many blooming cherry blossoms! Then we go picnic with family or friends! I call it a cherry blossom picnic, haha. I went to a cherry blossom picnic with my friends not so long ago.

I also like spring because the weather is so nice that it makes me wanna go out and do some outdoor activites, such as having a bike ride around! Go to parks and relax and just enjoy the great weather, spring in Korea is really great.

Another thing that I love about spring are the spring colors – as soon as the sun comes back, you can see it in the look of the girls in Korea. Their colorful looks definitely make you realize that spring has arrived. Their clothes, makeup, hair, lips… in winter, it was black, gray, navy, dark brown… now it’s like pink, coral, yellow, mint! All the colors makes me so happy, hihi! Despite the fact that I’m not a really flashy person myself, I will still fall into the colorful trend from Korea 😀

Thank you so much for having this interview with me, dear Kerry! It was, once again, a real pleasure to collaborate with you! And guys, don’t forget – if you need any recommendatios, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]! I will always be glad to help. I may take some time to reply you due to the massive number of messages I’m receiving daily, but I will always respond to you, for sure! 🙂

Happy spring to you all, and don’t forget to use Kerry’s sponsor code 025605 to get a $5 coupon for your first order at www.w2beauty.com. 🙂

 

– Alice

 

Where to Buy

Store	Price	Offers
W2Beauty Online Korean cosmetics shop		First time customers can get a $5 W2Beauty voucher by entering my sponsor code at sign-up:025605.	buy