A Korean Beauty Skincare Round-Up

If you've been following my blog since the beginning you'll know that I'm obsessed with skincare. It was my original focus and even whilst studying Hair & Media Makeup in college I was always more interested in the skin prep. However, K-Beauty isn't something I'd ever really looked into until recently. By Wishtrend make quite a few different products and a few months ago they kindly sent me a couple bits to try out. I've also recently discovered Tonic15 which is an online store that houses some of the best Korean skincare brands around. I was lucky enough to attend their pop-up event last month and came away with a bunch of goodies which I've been testing and today I thought I would share my thoughts on everything. I think it's safe to say I've gone K-Beauty mad!

The first product from By Wishtrend is their Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water*, you all know I'm partial to using acids in my skincare routine but I'd never used anything Mandelic based before this but it's actually given me the best results out of all the acids I've tried! It's an Alpha Hydroxy Acid that works by sloughing away dead skin, helping to give a smoother, firmer appearance and also helps your serums and moisturisers penetrate better. I'm already two-thirds of the way through my first bottle and thankfully I have a back-up that's ready to go! The second product they sent me to try is the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream* which is very different from anything I have in my collection. It's more of a balm than a moisturiser and it's specifically designed for stressed/sensitive skin and can even be used as an after-sun. It has a beautiful almost buttery texture but it doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. The jar looks quite small but a little goes a long way. The key ingredient is Guaiazulene which is extracted from Chamomile and has herbal properties that help calm inflammation and regenerate new skin cells. I have a lot of natural redness in my skin which often gets irritated but as soon as I apply this it looks instantly calmer and less aggravated. This is a must-have for anyone with sensitive skin! 

At the Tonic15 pop-up, I learnt about some amazing products but the one I was most excited to try was the May Coop Raw Sauce* which was recommended by both Jin (the founder of Tonic15 who's probably the sweetest woman I've ever met!) and Laura aka the product queen! It's a hydrating essence made with 93% Maple Tree Sap and it smells absolutely divine. It also contains Black Currant Fruit Extract which helps protect against free-radicals. I've been layering it under my serums and moisturisers and it's been amazing for amping up the glow and hydration as the temperature's dropped. You guys know I'm a sucker for cleansers and the Make P:rem Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam* has been my go-to for a quick morning cleanse. I'm not normally a big fan of foams but this cleans my skin without leaving it dry or taut. Hubby also likes this so it's a great one for the guys! I also have their Safe Me Relief Moisture Mask* which is rich is Nordic Berry Extract and Hyaluronic Acid which are both great for nourishing and soothing the skin. Who doesn't love a good sheet mask? The Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish* has been on my wishlist for ages and I'm so excited to finally have it in my stash. As the name would suggest it's a physical exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and helps unclog pores and blackheads. It's also extremely nourishing and leaves the skin beautifully soft and hydrated. I originally thought it would smell sweet but it's quite fresh/herbal and the particles are just the right size. If you struggle with dull/dry skin I highly recommend checking this out! 

There were a few other K-Beauty distributors at the pop-up event and I actually met Michele, the founder of The Konjac Sponge Co which was so cool! I'd heard so many good things about their award-winning sponges and she even helped me find the right one for me and also gave me a little tutorial on how to use it. Konjac is 97% water, rich in minerals and is naturally alkaline so it leaves the skin perfectly balanced. I have the Mythical Dragon Konjac Face Sponge with Green French Clay* which is perfect for those with combination skin. I've been using it to cleanse and exfoliate and I'm really surprised at how gentle it is! It's 100% natural and can be used with or without a cleanser. I love using it in the morning as it gives an added massage which really helps de-puff and removes any dead skin. They also come in a super cute box with a hook so it's really easy to keep clean! 

Have you tried any K-Beauty yet? 

Maiya

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