Friday Feature: Make me pretty

Korean skin care is quite the industry, even by North American standards. We sample a few and report the results.

The Face Shop Chia Seed Water 100

A lightweight facial moisturizer that touts the absence of additives like paraben and artificial colours, and the use of organic chia seed.

As to be expected of a lightweight product, the moisturizer does not leave my face shiny with grease. However, what I like the most about this product is that it actually provides substantial moisture so that my cheeks do not dry out the way they usually do with lightweight facial moisturizers.

A good product for the summer, though only at night, because it does not contain any sunscreen. So far, it has held up well at the beginning of the winter season with the dry heat indoors.

★★★  The product is likely to serve as a fallback option, if I cannot find a better alternative. – Junggugeo Kaenada 중국어 캐나다

 

 

The Face Shop Raspberry Roots Depuffing Eye Gel

On a recent visit to the Face Shop, the helpful assistant bluntly dismissed my claims of having under-eye circles, and explained that I suffered more from puffiness. She recommended I try this product out, to soothe my skin and bring the swelling down. Since I tend to wake up with puffy eyes, she recommended that I put on the product before sleep.

I’ve used it off and on for a few months now, and I can report good results. It does soothe irritation and I do wake up with less puffiness. Since I’m not likely to permanently stop eating salty foods and drinking insufficient amounts of water, this is a good backup for when I indulge in too much budae jjigae and soju.

★★★.5 I would definitely buy this product again. – Only 만

Etude House Collagen Eye Gel Patch

Etude House produces two under eye masks: one made of cotton sheet and the other one made from gel. The latter sounded so soothing that I decided to splurge.

After a few uses, I am not sure it was worth the money, or the amount of garbage the packaging and product generates. The eye masks feel nice enough when they are placed in the correct position. However, as to be expected with any mass market product, they may not fit the shape of your eye perfectly. They slip and slide very easily, thus making it hard to adjust. I ended up covering portions of my actual eye to ensure full coverage of my under eye area. The gels did not sting my eyes, but is was unpleasant to wear it in this fashion for the directed amount of time.

After struggling to place the masks, then wearing it uncomfortably for 30 minutes, there was no noticeable difference in the appearance of my eyes. I was not sure if I should rinse off any film leftover, or if I could apply additional eye cream on top. In the end, I decided to leave my under eye area untouched by water or another moisturizer, and the skin seemed to remain moisturized.

★★  I would not buy this product again, but I would not turn it down if it was offered to me gratis. – Junggugeo Kaenada

Advanced OTHREE Collagen Eye Treatment Patch

Collagen eye patches seem to be a bit of a trend, and this one promises intensive firming, hydrating and brightening all in one. The process is not complicated, consisting simply of sticking the eyepatch to your clean and moisturized face, and leaving it for 30 minutes. The box I purchased had 4 sets of the eye patch in it, which I used up in 2 weeks.

It felt slimy at first, and in retrospect, I should have used a mirror to put it on, since I’m pretty sure it was on the wrong spot. Once it was in place, I forgot it was there, and it ended up staying on for more like an hour. Having repeated it three times now, I can report that the area under my eyes feels noticeably softer and smoother, though I can’t comment on the brightening and firming, since I didn’t notice any difference.

★★★★ I would buy this product again, if only for the hydrating effects. – Only

The Face Shop Flebote White Chrystal Luxury Eye Serum

The Flebote White Chrystal Luxury Eye Serum promises moisturizing as well as brightening of dark under eye circles.

I have yet to discover a product that actually makes any visible difference to my under eye shadows, and this Eye Serum will not be the one to succeed. However, the lotion feels pleasant enough being neither too watery nor too heavy. It moisturizes without becoming greasy. Otherwise, it smells nice and does not irritate the eyes.

★★★.5  It is likely that I will buy this product again. That is, until I am enticed by the empty promises of another eye cream to remove my under eye shadows. – Junggugeo Kaenada
 

 

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Sheet Lemon

If you don’t mind scaring your neighbours, mask sheets are the quickest and most convenient way of applying a mask. With frequently dull skin, the brightening lemon mask seemed like a winner. The first time I tried it, I got compliments on my skin for a few days thereafter, that I looked refreshed. The next time, a couple of weeks later, I got no such result. In fact, a friend who bought the mask on my recommendation was also disappointed (though I may have hyped it up a little too much).

I’ve tried it again once since then, and it doesn’t seem to have the same startling effect, though my skin did look less dull.

★★★.5 I would buy it again, if I wanted a quick mask option to brighten up my skin. Otherwise, I could probably get the same effect with ingredients from my kitchen. – Only

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Readers: what Korean cosmetic product do you recommend?

Share your secrets to eternal youth in the Comments below.

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