Best of K-Beauty Awards 2018
I’m a big fan of K-Beauty (what is K-Beauty? primer here), so when Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon asked me to review the products that made their Best of K-Beauty Awards, I was SO excited! I personally sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the skincare product choices out there, so having a curated list of the most popular and well-loved K-beauty products made my life so much easier. Here is a review of some of the products out of the bunch (full list at the end). Also, as I announced on Instagram, we are doing a MASSIVE giveaway where ONE lucky winner will take home all 17 of these cult favorites, valued at ~$700! Head on over to my Instagram for the rules and to enter!
Peach & Lily Originals
Peach & Lily Sheet Mask:
I have always loved the Peach & Lily sheet masks (remember this review?) These masks still remain one of my favorites of all time, right up there with the Cremor Lab ones.. I tried all three Peach & Lily sheet masks, the reset, chubby cheeks, and good skin day masks, and my personal favorite remains the good skin day because it gives my skin such a nice glow! The sheets are dripping in essence and are more adherent to my face than other masks. In fact, when I remove the sheet masks, they are still moist, not dried out like masks from other brands. Whenever anyone asks me for sheet mask recommendations I always mention Peach & Lily’s.
Peach slices citrus-honey aqua glow
I remember watching Alicia Yoon’s instagram story about her in-flight skincare regimen, and I was very intrigued by this cute tube she pulled out as the final step to seal in the moisture. I started using this gel when I received it and instantly got hooked! First of all it smells fantastic, with a yummy citrusy scent, and secondly, the gel formulation delivers longer lasting hydration while being incredibly lightweight. This is a great daytime moisturizer, and helps moisturize the skin in preparation for makeup. We use honey in dermatology as an anti-inflammatory antimicrobial topical agent, so this gel with honey extract is a great option for those with occasional red inflamed skin (caveat: of course if you have an actual skin condition like acne or rosacea you should see a dermatologist for medicated treatment!). It’s also a STEAL for only $11.99!
Serum / Essence
Essences and serums are both meant to help hydrate and deliver specialty ingredients to the skin such as antioxidants. Serums are thicker and more viscous, and tend to be more concentrated in terms of active ingredients.
Shangpree S-energy concentrated serum
This special serum was developed after 4 years of research by luxury K-beauty powerhouse Shangpree, and it does not disappoint. I used this serum after cleansing and toning my face, and it goes on like a viscous liquid that rubs in very easily. I actually felt like it was hydrating enough so I skipped my night cream just to test it out. I woke up the next morning with soft smooth skin. This will be my new serum to give an extra boost of hydration during these dry winter nights.
Eco Your Skin VoluFiline Eye Essence
My periorbital wrinkles are one area that make me feel pretty self conscious (I blame laughing too often!), and I’ve been on the hunt for a good eye cream. This eye essence is a slightly sticky very concentrated gel that is perfect for the delicate skin around the eyes. Essence is usually thinner and more watery, so I was pleasantly surprised by how thick this product is. The gel consistency with glutathione and peptides help hydrate the skin, especially the undereye area.
Important caveat about this product: I was not familiar with the product Volufiline until I read about it as an ingredient in this product. In fact, when I googled it, all that came up were breast and buttock augmentation products. There is no peer reviewed scientific evidence that Volufilline, which is derived from a plant, actually works to plump up any area of the body. I checked! I see this eye essence as an intensely viscous and concentrated hydrator and just that; I do not think that the Volufiline actually works underneath the skin to stimulate collagen growth.
Sunscreen
This Lagom Sun Gel is a cream based chemical sunscreen; it is marketed as a sun gel but the consistency is more like a cream. It features SPF 50 UVB protection plus PA+++ max UVA protection (What is PA+++? check out my explanation here). I have tried many many sunscreens, and my personal favorites are tinted physical sunscreens with a matte finish, which this is not. That being said, this sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast (since it’s a chemical blocker in nature) and is non-greasy and very light. However, there is no tint or coverage, so you would still need a separate product for that. I like that because it is an Asian sunscreen it comes with a UVA blocking rating (PA+++); I wish US sunscreens could have this label too!
Foundation
Jung Saem Mool Essential Star-Cealer Foundation is an innovative dual foundation + concealer design. You press the button on the far left and out of a small hole comes liquid foundation that you can apply with the pad. Then you can use the concealer on the right for extra coverage in the underage area or wherever you have blemishes. I compared this to my trusted AmorePacific CC Cushion, which I have to say, I still prefer. This liquid foundation comes out of a tiny hole, which is picked up by the pad and subsequently applied to my face in an uneven fashion. I do enjoy the convenience of having foundation + concealer in one small package, and I like that the foundation has SPF as well. However, I’m more of a CC cushion kind of gal!
Makeup Removing Wipe
I really enjoyed using the Ariul Stress Relieving Purefull cleansing tissue; it comes in a travel friendly pack of 15 and has a light citrus scent. I usually use the Neutrogena makeup remover wipes, but this one was just as good at removing makeup. I was wearing a full face of foundation today (the Jung Saem Mool Essential Star-Cealer Foundation I reviewed above!) and one wipe was enough to remove everything! I even followed it up with Be The Skin Botanical Pore Toner and no makeup residue came off on the cotton pad, an impressive feat considering how much foundation I had on. I can see this being a lifesaver on flights or during travel!
Full list:
1. Eco Your Skin Volufiline15 Eye Essence
2. Ariul Stress Relieving Purefull Cleansing Tissue
3. Be The Skin Botanical Pore Toner
4. Lagom Sun Gel
5. Peach Slices Citrus Honey Aqua Glow
6. Jung Saem Mool Essential Star-Cealer Foundation
7. Aromatica Natural Coconut Cleansing Oil
8. Peach & Lily 3 Sheet Mask Set
9. Mizon All-In-One Snail Repair Cream
10. Shangpree Gold Black Pearl Hydrogel Eye Mask
11. May Coop Raw Sauce
12. Femmue Gypsy Rose Calming Mask
13. Olivarrier Fluid Oil Squalane
14. Shangpree S-Energy Long Lasting Concentrated Serum
15. Dr. Dream Dream Age Radiance Powder Essence
16. The Lotus Essence with Lotus Leaf
17. Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
Thank you to Peach & Lily for providing me the products to review! Check out their Youtube channel in addition to their Instagram.
*As usual, all opinions are my own. Good luck to all entering the giveaway!
Shann Eileen says
I love Peach and Lily so much! Their products are amazing and make trying out K-beauty so much easier, as they do all the work in researching products! Will definitely be entering the giveaway.
Shann Eileen | http://www.shanneileen.com
Joyce says
Same here! Their sheet masks are on point 🙂 good luck in the giveaway!
Melissa Wisnewski says
Amazing review!! Thank you!