January Final Week K-Beauty Skincare Releases

Hi everyone, I have a quick update for you today on the new K-beauty products that were announced or released over the past week.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by KoreanBuddy.com or Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

I've started marking products that stand out to me as **Kinseng Picks**. A Kinseng Pick is either innovative, has a good quality/price ratio, an impressive ingredients list, or is hella cute.

Dr. Jart Anti-Aging Line: Liftra

Dr. Jart+, one of the first global Korean beauty brands has announced a new line called the 'Liftra' line.  Liftra is an anti-aging line; there are 3 products: a cream, a mist, and contour fixer tool. The Liftra line skincare items contain a 'PLA Complex' collagen.

The Liftra Contour Cream (55000 KRW/50ml) is a moisturizer that contains collagen. It provides wrinkle care, moisture, and brightening effects.

The Liftra Contour Fixer (38000 KRW/100ml) is a mist that contains hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing ingredients.

The Liftra Contour Shaper (70000 KRW/13cm) comes with an applicator that will help to lift the jawline and neck area.  

These items will soon be available at Dr Jart.

January Final Week K-Beauty Makeup Releases

Hi everyone, I have a quick update for you today on the new K-beauty products that were announced or released over the past week.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by KoreanBuddy.com or Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

Etude House Updates: Berry Delicious 

Berry Delicious Sweet Box Etude House x Margarin Fingers 

The Berry Delicious collection has launched. Etude House is offering two special sets.

The first is a Strawberry Knit box on sale from 59000 KRW to 39000 KRW at Etude House Korea. (Still available as of 1/31).

The kit contains a knit half-sleeve shirt that says Strawberry on it. It also contains a liquid lipstick, the Color In Liquid Lips Juicy in shade RD305 Berry Berry Much (Regular Price 9500 KRW). The liquid lipstick contains strawberry and raspberry extracts. Fantastic Color Eyes eyeshadow palette in Strawberry Fondue (Regular Price 14000 KRW). And the Berry Delicious Fresh Cream Blusher in shade 1 Ripe Strawberry (Regular Price 8500 KRW).

Unfortunately the Raspberry Knit box is sold out.

Play Color Eyes Juice Bar (22000 KRW) is the name of the new eyeshadow palette from Etude House for Spring. There are 10 shades. The colors are light neutrals with orange and peach accent shades and some deeper browns. Check out true-to-life swatches of the palette at Memorable-Days.

Balm + Color Tints (8000 KRW) by Etude House are moisturizing tinted lip balms that are two-toned to make for applying an easy gradation lip. 1 Casual Speaking Terms 2 Bittersweet 3 Love Lifts Half 4 Half My Apple 5 Half Glass of Wine at Night.

Aqua-Peel Hunger Force! 3-Way Comparison of Single-Serving Chemical Exfoliators

Relatively new on the scene are these single-serving part chemical and part physical exfoliators called 'aqua-peels'.

I first heard about them from the Glow Girls (with all due #girlboss respect) from GlowRecipe.com who discussed them at length on Refinery29 a few months ago.

Simply put, they're travel-ready, ultra-portable acid treatments that involve...

A giant Q-Tip

Soaked in an acid sol'n

With optional mask*

*Some kits go so far as to include an optional serum and mask

Despite being dubbed 'aqua-PEELS' they usually come soaked in a solution that is less potent than the average chemical peel.

We're talking concentrations in the 4%-10% AHA range... (peels usually come in AHA concentrations of 15% - 40%)

Before getting into the comparison, I want to preface by saying, I like these guys. I've seen results from the ones I've tried today that go above and beyond what I see my regular acid exfoliators doing for me on a normal acid night.

I've tried and enjoyed 3 peels so far, and even went so far as to try a DIY cheapie version because... no-buys and low-buys exist, they suck, and maybe there are benefits to be had using the skincare you already own.

The products I'm reviewing today are the:

Primary Raw 2-Step Milk Peeling Kit

Reme+G 3-in-1Aqua Peeler Kit

The DIY version

The last kit I've tried comes from a brand I am planning to carry at my new pet project HappySheet.org, a new online K-beauty lemonade stand (it's a small shop). I don't think it's fair to compare something I'm planning to carry against something others are already carrying on this blog.


Primary Raw 2-Step Milk Peeling Kit

WHAT IT IS A multi-acid based treatment that revolves around lactic acid and glycolic acid. There's also a little apple water which is acidic. It's got a concentration of 8% lactic acid, and is pH optimized for exfoliating the skin at a pH of 4. Promising. Promises.
It's front-loaded with humectants and anti-inflammatory extracts, but some fragrant, potentially phototoxic extracts bring up the rear. Not shabby.
As an added bonus, this kit includes a soothing sheet mask with a primo ingredients list... Some standouts are Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Bird's Nest Extract, in a cornucopia of other great things.

WHO IT'S FOR Anyone who wants to benefit from the pore-degunking, pore-minimizing effects of an alpha hydroxy acid treatment. Plus it will light a fire under your collagen synthesizers. Also, anyone who has their sunscreen game on lock because, if you use these peels and go naked under the sun, you will get sun spots and wrinkles... and chlamydia... and die...

TO USE Simply take the Q-tip and swirl around your face using light pressure, making sure you get into all of the nooks and crannies. See me peelin' no hatin' in the little video below by clicking the play button. If it doesn't load, you can see it here. Then use the sheet mask for at least 20 minutes.

AVOID IF You've got sensitivities to any of the ingredients included. For a full list, see below.

A video posted by kinseng (@kinsengnsq) on Jan 14, 2016 at 5:46pm PST

So-brrr January Week 4 K-Beauty Skincare Releases

Hi everyone, I have a quick update for you today on the new K-beauty products that were announced or released over the past week.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by KoreanBuddy.com or Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

I've started marking products that stand out to me as **Kinseng Picks**. A Kinseng Pick is either innovative, has a good quality/price ratio, an impressive ingredients list, or is hella cute.

Missha Super Aqua Line Details

Missha Super Aqua Ice Tear line details have been announced. This line has a toner, essence, emulsion, and cream. It contains glacial water from Chilean Patagonia which contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. 

It also contains Polynesian iceplant extract and blue lagoon water, again high in vitamins and minerals. The toner is 11800 KRW/180 ml, essence is 13800 KRW/50ml, emulsion is 11800 KRW/150ml, and the cream is 12800/50ml. 

So-brrr January Week 4 K-Beauty Makeup Releases

Hi everyone, I have a quick update for you today on the new K-beauty products that were announced or released over the past week.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by KoreanBuddy.com or Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

Yadah x Sonyunara (teen fashion brand) Collection

Yada has a new cushion and lip tint out in cute pink graphic packaging.
They are the All Day Cushion and the All Day Lip Tint. Sounds promising!
The All Day Cushion is SPF 50+ PA+++ and (alas) comes in just one shade, 21 Light Beige and retails for 21000 KRW here.
The All Day Tint is supposed to be moisturizing, and comes in one vibrant pink shade 01 Always Pink, and retails for 8000 KRW here.
They're also selling Sonyunara Rubycell Puffs for 2000 KRW here.

TBT | Skin18 Major Haul, Review, Discount Code, & Sponsored Int'l Giveaway!

There's a lot going on with today's post. I'm sorry if it's a bit overstuffed!

PART I Back in early December, I hauled hard at Hong Kong-based Skin18.com so I have some things to show you, some first impressions, and thoughts about shopping at Skin18.

PART II Also, spoiler alert: Out of everything I purchased, I fell in love with an essence from everyone's favorite brand, all the way from Jeju Island, South Korea... innisfree so I have a full review of that product.

PART III Next, Skin18 has decided to offer anyone who stumbles upon this blog a whopping 25% discount from now until February 20th.

PART IV And lastly, they've also decided to give away two Lomi Lomi 7 Skin Scheduler Mask Boxes which include 7 different masks in Aloe, Ginkgo, Grape, Cucumber, Acerola, Pomegranate, Jasmine. One to a follower in the U.S. and Canada, and one international follower.

Disclosure: This post contains a giveaway kindly sponsored by Skin18.com. No purchase is necessary to enter. This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no personal cost to you.  If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.

PART I  HAUL + IMPRESSIONS

ORDERED 12/14
DELIVERED 12/23 (?) give or take
SAMPLES

• 1 deluxe mini Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity Cleansing Bam, 1 deluxe mini Banila Co Clean It Zero (Original/Pink) Cleansing Balm
• 1 Mediheal Dress Code Violet Mask <3, 2 miscellaneous 3D masks in Rice Wine and Snail, 1 Royal Skin Sheep Mask, 2 Miscellaneous Red Ginseng and Synake Sheet Masks, 1 Mediheal NMF Aquaring Mask <3

At a glance

Lip and Hand Care Products I'm Enjoying

I haven't sat down and written up a proper review on anything in awhile. There are many skincare products I'm enjoying lately but I'm not ready to give my thoughts on them yet, so I thought I'd share some little things I've been enjoying lately.

If you're missing reading proper skincare reviews, come check out what I'm using these days here.  I like to post updates on Instagram as I go through the testing process. :-)

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no personal cost to you.  If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.

January Week 3 K-Beauty Skincare Releases

Hi again, here are the new K-beauty skincare releases for this first week of January 2016.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

I've started marking products that stand out to me as **Kinseng Picks**. A Kinseng Pick is either innovative, has a good quality/price ratio, an impressive ingredients list, or is hella cute.

New at Missha: Line Friends Collection, Super Aqua Line, Miscellaneous Masks and Things

Missha x LINE character collection, the skincare bits (see the makeup here):

Missha Line Friends Edition Secret Love Hand Cream comes in Green Grape, Lemon Grass (Cony Rabbit), Mango Flower (Cony Rabbit), Blue Daisy (Sally Duck), and Cotton White (Brown Bear). These hand creams contain meadowfoam seed oil, glycerin, and various botanical extracts depending on the flavor. 3000 KRW.

Super Aqua Line: The Super Aqua line will be renewed on January 19th.

Embo Gel Mask Line: These are 'nude hydrogels' which means they're gel masks that are extremely thin. The Embo Gel Masks come in Nourishing-Night (collagen/ceramide/honey), Relaxing-Night (aloe/pine/chamomile), Vital - Night (centella asiatica/rosemary/grapefruit), Shining- Night (pearl/lotus/licorice root), and Waterfull - Night (hyaluronic acid/green tea/bamboo). 2500 KRW each.

There are a few new base products... (please excuse me for not including them in the makeup roundup earlier today).

The bb cream pictured above is a part of the Missha for Men line. The Light-up BB Cream has a shade for light skin and dark skin! 12800 KRW.  Lasting Cushion Primer, 10800 KRW.

Lastly, there is a new premium wrinkle care and brightening mask called the Immortal Youth Blue Essence Mask. It features calendula and EPIGENOMYL, fermented Betula Japonica, yeast (Lactobacillus) and neo endorphins.  6500 KRW

Not pictured is a new hair mask called the Damage Break Hair Mask with moringa oil. 9800 KRW.

January Week 3 K-Beauty Makeup Releases

Hi everyone, I have a quick update for you today on the new K-beauty products that were announced or released over the past week.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

3 Concept Eyes Lip Glosses

뺏고 싶은 도톰촉촉 입술을 만들어주는 3CE 립글로스 7종이 출시됩니다 ❣ #3ce #stylenanda #스타일난다 #립글로스 #신제품출시 #하트어택 #7컬러다예뻐서 #결정장애

A photo posted by 3CE Official Instagram (@3ce_official) on Jan 12, 2016 at 10:13pm PST

3 Concept Eyes or 3CE has announced that they'll be coming out with lip glosses this spring. They're known for vibrant lip colors and high-quality lip products. More details to come.

What Were the Bestselling Beauty Products in Korea in 2015? Part II.

Hi, happy Friday!

If you missed it, last week I revealed the top-selling Korean cosmetics in South Korea as per DailyCosmetic.com. It was a roundup of a few products that did very well on Korean home shopping networks, kind of like a best of Korean QVC.

This week, is another roundup of top-selling Korean cosmetics in South Korea according to CosInKorea.com. The source for the information in these articles are home shopping networks like CJ O Shopping, the home shopping arm of internet shopping mall CJMall. CJ O Shopping, CJMall, and Olive Young (the store we so often call the Sephora of Korea) are owned by the same group, CJ Group.

Because the data comes from a home shopping network, the products shown below skew a bit towards luxury products and products that treat the signs of aging rather than preventing them, since home shoppers tend to be a bit older.

Because of this, I encourage you to check out the winners of The Most Asia Beauty Award which spans a larger age demographic. These are the top beauty products as put to a vote by Asian consumers of all ages. The content is in English.

I want to make it clear that I'm not endorsing these products personally. I'm presenting them as new options to consider that are backed by many reviews and sales. If a product stands out to me or has made my wish list in some way, I'll mark it as a **Kinseng Pick**.


Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no personal cost to you.  If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.



Sooryehan Ginseng Essence
The secret of 'ginseng skin' hits the global market; ingredients from the heart of Jiri Mountain

Sooryehan is a 'hanbang' or Korean herbal cosmetics brand owned by the second largest conglomerate in Korea - LG Health and Household.

This product became popular through word-of-mouth. 
This is also a winner of "The Most Asia Beauty Award". These are awards voted on by Asian consumers. Head over to BNTNews and check out the rest of the award winners!

Sooryehan boasts that the ginseng in this product is Korean ginseng, which contains the most ginsenosides of any ginseng in the world. The ginseng in the Sooryehan essence is harvested from a 'clean zone' on Jiri Mountain, where it is grown without any chemical fertilizers. Ginseng from Jiri Mountain often fetches 5-10x the normal price. Furthermore, they claim that there are 33 different ginsenosides in this product. Surveys conducted among customers revealed that many felt their skin was more moisturized, radiant, and smooth. They give some of the credit of the product's success to the beauty of actress Han Hyo Joo, featured in the ad above. **Kinseng Pick**

January Week 2 K-beauty Makeup and Skincare Launches

Happy Sunday, welcoming you back for the weekly news update.
Here are the new K-beauty makeup releases for this second week of January 2016.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by KoreanBuddy.com *new or Avecko.com.

One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

**This week, the skincare launches have been done over on Instagram.
For details, check here, here, three, four, and five. Shoutout to fellow blogger and Instagrammer Ryanraroar.**

Innisfree Ampoule Intense Foundation for dry skin

Innisfree's new Ampoule Intense Foundation has a formula intended to keep your skin from drying out this winter. They've dubbed it the 'steam shine' foundation. Keeping to their reputation, they've used a complex of botanical extracts from Jeju Island which includes green tea and various oils. There are 4 shades: 13 Light Beige, 21 Natural Beige (which is warm-toned), C21 Pink Beige (cool-toned), and 23 True Beige.  18000 KRW/30ml.

I'm sure the addition of the pink beige will make some international fans very happy.

Currently during the launch period, they are offering a sale set that include 1 Ampoule Intense Foundation and 1 Ampoule Intense Cushion for 28000 KRW. This offer is limited to shades 13, 21, and 23. 28000 KRW/30ml + 15g.

What Were the Bestselling Beauty Products in Korea in 2015? Part I.

Hi everyone, I mentioned I would begin giving updates on items that are enjoying a lot of popularity in Korea.

In today's post (Part I) are 7 products that were bestsellers in the year 2015. The source for this information is a series of posts ran in a news source called DailyCosmetic at the end of last year about the products that topped the home shopping networks (like a best of QVC).

Next week in Part II, there will be some more 2015 bestsellers based on another series of posts ran in a similar publication called CosInKorea.


Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no personal cost to you.  If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.


A. H. C. Real Eye Cream
15 Million Units Sold

This is a peptide and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) eye cream that rose to recognition last year due to its alluring nickname - the 'actress eye cream'.

ElizaVecca x Donnie Darko Permanent Collection: 3 Reviews

Disclosure: This is a press sample kindly sent from Elizavecca.com. All thoughts are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no personal cost to you.  If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.

The internets made this review possible. Sparing you the boring deets, I connected *zap* with someone from ElizaVecca over instagram a few months ago and they decided to send me a few things to try out and report back on for you today.

PSA: Deals at Rakuten and Paula's Choice

Rakuten Global Market

1/7/2016 - 1/10/2016

If you need to stock up on sunscreens, or any other Japanese beauty products, Rakuten Global Market is having an event:

New users get 2000 Rakuten points to use on their first purchase over 10,000 JPY (circa $84).

Existing uses get 2016 JPY coupon for any order over 20,000 JPY (Circa $168).

Paula's Choice

1/6/2016 - 1/19/2016

...is also having a sale, details are below.

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links in this post. Clicking on an affiliate link returns a small sum to me at no cost to you as the consumer. Doing so is appreciated as it helps to support this blog. If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.

Mistakes Made Buying Under the Influence of K-Pop and K-drama

Is Mercury in retrograde or something? Because I didn't want to start the New Year off talking about products that were misses, but it's happening.

I picked up the Nature Republic Ginseng Royal Silk Watery Cream and the Banila Co White Wedding Dream Cream at Skin18.com because they were on sale back in December and also, well, look at them!

January Week 1 K-beauty Skincare Launches

Hi again, here are the new K-beauty skincare releases for this first week of January 2016.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

*Also, just a few quick notes
1: The makeup releases were updated with a few products I found while scouting the new skincare releases, so do hop over and see if you've seen them all.
2: I've started marking my best picks, they're designated as **Kinseng Pick** A Kinseng Pick is either innovative, has a good quality/price ratio, has an impressive ingredients list, or hella cute.

Apieu Crayon Shin Chan (Jjangu) Collection

Apieu has taken inspiration from Japanese manga once again to release a new skincare collection feature Crayon Shin Chan! In the collection...

Top Row:

Apieu Deep Clean Foam Cleanser Jjangu Edition 1900 KRW/130ml contains baking powder and sparkling mineral water.

Apieu Deep Clean Bubble Foam Jjangu Edition 3800 KRW/200ml also contains baking powder and sparkling mineral water.

Apieu Deep Cleansing Oil Jjangu Edition 6800 KRW/160ml, in addition to the baking powder and sparkling mineral water is jojoba oil.

Middle Row:

Apieu Deep Clean Clear Water Jjangu Edition 3800 KRW/165ml also has baking powder and sparkling mineral water.

Apieu Deep Clean Milky Cleanser 4800 KRW/140ml has baking powder, sparkling mineral water, and milk proteins.

Aqua Nature Dewdrop Clouding Cream Jjangu Edition 4800 KRW/50ml is a brightening cream that has cloudberry extract, glutathione, and Whistler glacier water.**Kinseng Pick**

Last Row:

These are Apieu Perfumed Hand Creams Jjangu Edition in Gardenia, Lotus, and Hydrangea. They contain cocoa butter and jojoba oil. 3000 KRW/35ml.

More Apieu products. They've renewed their facial oils.

Apieu Seabuckthorn Facial Oil (Calming) 

Apieu Olive Facial Oil (Moisture)

Apieu Rosehip Facial Oil (Radiance)

They retail for 9000 KRW/50ml.

January Week 1 K-Beauty Makeup Releases

Welcome back, I hope you had a great New Years!
Here are the new K-beauty makeup releases for this first week of January 2016.

Most are freshly announced, or only available on their official Korean websites. These products can be purchased through using a buying service like the one provided by Avecko.com. One of the first stores with international shipping to carry new releases is Tester Korea. At times, new releases will start popping up in their store within a couple of days, so make sure to check them out!

The first swatches of the Espoir chess peace collection are available for view here and they have been added to the Espoir site and are now available for purchase.

Here are also the nail swatches for the Innisfree x Paul Frank nail polish and hand cream collection.

Etude House Monkey Wish Eyes

To celebrate 2016, the year of the monkey, Etude House is releasing 10 new eyeshadow singles with monkey faces on them! The eyeshadow shades are:

BR418 Spending Money is all Monkey (a brown with gold pearl)

BR419 A Package is Here Monkey (brown)

OR214 Let's Go On Vacation Monkey (orange)

BE108 I Lost Weight Monkey (gold pearl)

BK804 Let's be healthy Monkey (gunmetal with pearl)

BE109 It was Deposited Monkey (silver beige)

PK014 So Pretty Monkey (pink)

PK013 Cheering You On Monkey (pink with pearl)

GR707 I Got The Job Monkey (khaki with green pearl)

PP508 It Got Canceled Monkey (purple)

They retail for 4000 KRW/2g at Etude Korea.