Here come's the hoard of skin care products I've never heard of before

last week i posted part 1 of the 2015 allure korea best in beauty awards, which focuses on cosmetics and makeup products. click here if you want to see the best in beauty awards for year 2014!

this week is all about skin care, and given korea's impressive range of beauty brands, don't be surprised to see unfamiliar brands. i had a hard time translating some of them because.. KOREAN!

images via allure korea

1. CLEANSING OIL

AWARD WINNER

VDL | NAKED CLEANSING OIL CREAM STRONG

EDITOR'S PICK

SHU UEMURA | BLANC:CHROMA CLEANSING TONE-UP OIL

2.CLEANSING FOAM AND GEL

AWARD WINNER

VICHY | PURETE THERMALE FRESH CLEANSING GEL

EDITOR'S PICK

AROMATICA | GERANIUM CASTILE SOAP

3. CLEANSING WATER

AWARD WINNER

ETUDE HOUSE | REAL ART NO WASH CLEANSING WATER

EDITOR'S PICK

BIODERMA | HYDRABIO H20

4. TONER

AWARD WINNER

VERITE | TIMELESS EFFECT SKIN SOFTENER

EDITOR'S PICK

PHILOSOPHY | RENEWED HOPE IN A JAR HYDRATING AND REFINING LOTION

5. FACIAL OIL

AWARD WINNER

BIOTHERM | BLUE THERAPY SERUM IN OIL

EDITOR'S PICK

SISLEY | BLACK ROSE PRECIOUS FACE OIL

6. BOOSTING ESSENCE

AWARD WINNER

A-TRUE | REAL BLACK TEA TRUE ACTIVE ESSENCE

EDITOR'S PICK

KIEHL'S | IRIS EXTRACT ACTIVATING TREATMENT ESSENCE

7. MOISTURIZING ESSENCE

AWARD WINNER

A'PIEU | ESSENTIAL SOURCE HYALURONIC ACID MOISTURE ESSENCE

EDITOR'S PICK

SU:M 37 | WATER-FUL TIMELESS POWER ESSENCE

8. MOISTURIZING CREAM

AWARD WINNER

L'OCCITANE | SHEA LIGHT COMFORTING CREAM

EDITOR'S PICK

THE REMEDY | ROOT THERAPY 60 CREAM

9. ANTI-AGING ESSENCE

AWARD WINNER

CLARINS | TOTAL V ESSENCE

EDITOR'S PICK

AMORE PACIFIC | CONTOUR LIFT SKIN DEFINING SERUM

10. ANTI-AGING CREAM

AWARD WINNER

ESTEE LAUDER | RE-NUTRIV ULTIMATE DIAMOND TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY CREAM

EDITOR'S PICK

HERA | SIGNIA CREAM

11. WHITENING ESSENCE

AWARD WINNER

LANCOME | BLANC EXPERT SPOT ERASER

EDITOR'S PICK

SHISEIDO | VITAL PERFCTION WHITE CIRCULATOR SERUM

12. WHITENING CREAM

AWARD WINNER

GIVERNY | WHITE BLOOMING CREAM

EDITOR'S PICK

DARPHIN | MELAPERFECT SKIN TONE BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZER SPF20

13. EYE TREATMENT

AWARD WINNER

CLARINS | EXTRA-FIRMING EYE CREAM

EDITOR'S PICK

SULWHASOO | JINSEOL EYE CREAM

14. FACIAL SCRUB

AWARD WINNER

ALL VIT | SKIN LIGHTNING DEAD CELL CONTROL MASK

EDITOR'S PICK

MIZON | BITTER LEMON SPARKLING PEELING GEL

15. FACIAL MIST

AWARD WINNER

HANYUL | PURE ARTEMISIA FRESH CALMING WATER

EDITOR'S PICK

SIKMOOLNARA | ALOE VERA FINE MIST

16. SLEEPING PACK

AWARD WINNER

DREAM WORKS | SHREK MAGICAL SLEEPING PACK

EDITOR'S PICK

BANILA CO | IT RADIANT BRIGHTENING SLEEPING PACK

ENDING NOTE:

when translating the brand and product name for the facial mist (sikmoolnara), i actually got search result on google: plantnara.com. i clicked in and guess the expression on my face when i see a website dedicated to selling plants!? HAHAHA i broke a sweat and almost tore out my hair. so there goes my little translating adventure. 

Let's start with make up and cosmetics!

the 2015 allure korea best in beauty award is out! click here if you're interested in seeing the best in beauty awards for 2014.

i've translated the product names into english :)
it's always interesting to look at such beauty awards because there's just too many beauty brands and products out there.
at least we now have some starting points to cut down our chances of ending up with a product that doesn't work well!

all images belong to allure korea.

1. BB CREAM

AWARD WINNER

L'OREAL PARIS | LUCENT MAGIC ESSENCE

EDITOR'S PICK

IOPE | UV SHIELD BB SPF50+/PA+++

2. CC CREAM

AWARD WINNER

TONY MOLY | GOAT MILK PURE CC SPF30/PA++

EDITOR'S PICK

A'PEU | TONE-UP CC CREAM

3. PRIMER

AWARD WINNER

ANNA SUI | CREAMY FOUNDATION PRIMER

EDITOR'S PICK

L'OREAL PARIS | BASE MAGIQUE PRIMER

4. ILLUMINATOR

AWARD WINNER

BURBERRY | FRESH GLOW LUMINOUS FLUID | 01 NUDE RADIANCE

EDITOR'S PICK

DAVI | RADIANT GLOW STARTER

5. LIQUID FOUNDATION

AWARD WINNER

LANCOME | TEINT MIRACLE AURA FOUNDATION

EDITOR'S PICK

ESPOIR | PRO TAILOR LIQUID FOUNDATION

6. BLUSHER

AWARD WINNER

CARGO | BLUSH | THE BIG EASY

EDITOR'S PICK

SHISEIDO MAQUILLAGE | DRAMATIC MOOD VEIL | RD100

7. COMPACT FOUNDATION

AWARD WINNER

BENEFIT | HELLOW FLAWLESS SPF15

EDITOR'S PICK

GUERLAIN | LINGERIE DE PEAU COMPACT FOUNDATION | 1 PALE BEIGE

8. CONCEALER

AWARD WINNER

VIDI VICI | PERFECT BASE CONCEALER DUO | 1

EDITOR'S PICK

DOCTOR JART | BB MATE CONTOURING KIT NEUTRALIZING

9. CUSHION PACT

AWARD WINNER

LANEIGE | BB CUSHION ANTI AGING SPF50+/PA++++ | 13 TRUE BEIGE

EDITOR'S PICK

IOPE | AIR CUSHION XP INTENSE COVER SPF50+/PA+++ | 21

10. MASCARA

AWARD WINNER

MAYBELLINE | MEGA EYES WATER PROOF

EDITOR'S PICK

LANCOME | GRANDIOSE SMUDGE PROOF | 1

11. PENCIL EYE LINER

AWARD WINNER

SIXTEEN BRAND | 16 PENCIL LINER

EDITOR'S PICK

SHU UEMURA | DRAWING PENCIL | 3 BLUE BLACK

12. LIQUID EYE LINER

AWARD WINNER

PERI PERA | HOLY DEEP LINER MAKER | 1 BLACK

EDITOR'S PICK

LUNA | EXTREME SHARP LIQUID EYELINER

13. EYEBROW MASCARA

AWARD WINNER

MAC | PRO LONG WEAR WATERPROOF BROW SHADE

EDITOR'S PICK

KATE | EYEBROW COLOR N | LIGHT BROWN

14. EYE SHADOW

AWARD WINNER

MAKEUP FOREVER | ARTIST SHADOW | 546

EDITOR'S PICK

BOBBI BROWN | LONG WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK | 23

15. EYE SHADOW PALETTE

AWARD WINNER

DIOR | 5 COULEURS | 646-30 MONTAIGNE

EDITOR'S PICK

VDL | EXPORT COLOR EYE BOOK | 6.4 NO.1 WARM TONE

16. LIP BALM

AWARD WINNER

AVENE | COLD CREAM LIP CREAM

EDITOR'S PICK

BIODERMA | ATODERM LIPSTICK

17. RED LIPSTICK

AWARD WINNER

NARS | AUDACIOUS LIPSTICK | LANA

EDITOR'S PICK

TONY MOLY | KISS LOVER LIP CLICK | RASPBERRY

18. PINK LIPSTICK

AWARD WINNER

BOBBI BROWN | RICH LIP COLOR | 43 IBIZA PINK

EDITOR'S PICK

HERA | ROUGE HOLIC | 147 SUPREME PINK

19. ORANGE LIPSTICK

AWARD WINNER

VIDI VICI | ROUGE EXCELLENCE INTENSE | 126 SERBIA CORAL

EDITOR'S PICK

MAC | LIPSTICK | NEON ORANGE AMPLIFIED

20. RED LIQUID LIP

AWARD WINNER

LAURA MERCIER | SILK LIP PAINT | VERMILLION RED

EDITOR'S PICK

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL | SHAKE GLOSSY BLASTER TINT | 1 CHIC RED

21. PINK LIQUID LIP

AWARD WINNER

TONY MOLY | PERFECT LIPS SHOCKING LIP | 1 PINK SHOCKING

EDITOR'S PICK

THE FACE SHOP | INK LIPQUID | PK04

22. ORANGE LIQUID LIP

AWARD WINNER

CATHYCAT | MATCH LIPQUID | 201

EDITOR'S PICK

PERI PERA | PERI'S TINT INK | 3

23. LIP CRAYON

AWARD WINNER

CODE GLOKOLOR | L. LIP PASTEL | MEDIUM RED

EDITOR'S PICK

IT'S SKIN | IT'S TOP BY ITALY SATION LIP PENCIL | 3 ORANGE RED

ENDING NOTE:

i'm always overwhelmed when translating the allure best in beauty awards because there is always new brands and new products i've never heard before. and i thought i was pretty well exposed to beauty brands. *shake my head*

PART 2 OF THE ALLURE KOREA BEST IN BEAUTY IS OUT!

part 2 of the allure korea best in beauty is all about skin care! just a note of caution: rankings are given by a team of judges and by no means suggest that any product is the holy grail for the entire world. it's best to use rankings as a starting reference point when you're lost in a sea of beauty products. that's how i use these beauty rankings anyway!

be the smart consumer who learns about your own personal needs before doing some research prior to your purchases!

if you're interested in the top makeup products, check out part 1 of the series!

1. cleansing oil

AWARD WINNER | HERA purifying cleansing oil

EDITOR'S PICK | SHU UEMURA porefinish fresh cleansing oil

2. cleansing foam and gel

AWARD WINNER | NEUTROGENA deep clean hydrating foaming cleanser

EDITOR'S PICK | COREANA nokdu foam cleansing

3. cleansing water

AWARD WINNER | BIODERMA hydrabio H20

EDITOR'S PICK | AVENE clenance eau nettoyante

4. toner

AWARD WINNER | MAMONDE rose water toner

EDITOR'S PICK | THE FACE SHOP chia seed sebum control moisture water

5. facial oil

AWARD WINNER | DIOR capture totale haute nutrition oil serum

EDITOR'S PICK | KATE SOMERVILLE dilo oil restorative treatment

6. boosting essence

AWARD WINNER | SKINFOOD black sugar perfect first serum

EDITOR'S PICK | INNISFREE soybean energy essence light

7. moisture essence

AWARD WINNER | INNISFREE the green tea seed serum

EDITOR'S PICK | ORIGINS make a difference plus+ rejuvenating serum

8. moisturizing cream

AWARD WINNER | CHANTECAILLE rose de mai cream

EDITOR'S PICK | SU:M 37 waterfull timeless water gel cream

9. anti-aging essence

AWARD WINNER | SHISEIDO future solution LX superior radiance serum

EDITOR'S PICK | DARPHIN stimulskin plus plus reshaping divine serum

10. anti-aging cream

AWARD WINNER | SU:M 37 secret repair concentrated cream

EDITOR'S PICK | NUXE nirvanesque face and neck cream

11. whitening essence

AWARD WINNER | AMORE PACIFIC luminous effect brightening serum

EDITOR'S PICK | SK-II whitening power spot specialist

12. whitening cream

AWARD WINNER | SK-II spot care and brighten day cream

EDITOR'S PICK | CLARINS smoothing brightening night cream

13. eye treatment

AWARD WINNER | AMORE PACIFIC luminous effect brightening eye serum

EDITOR'S PICK | LANCOME absolue l'extrait eye contour ritual

14. facial scrub

AWARD WINNER | MISSHA gumsul ginseng peeling gel

EDITOR'S PICK | NEOGEN code 9 glacial magic pore mask

15. facial mist

AWARD WINNER | DR.G vita ampoule pH mist

EDITOR'S PICK | MELVITA pulpe de rose radiance duo

they also did a round up for men's skin care products which i didn't translate. if you're interested, check out their official website!

i'm very interested in facial oils lately.. i'm still doing my research though! and did you notice a trend here? the more specific products (such as anti aging and whitening) all come from the higher end brands. i guess what it suggest is this - for general cleansing and toning, drugstore brands are more than fine. for targeted treatments, it's probably better if you invest in a branded product in the form of essence and creams.

xoxo

Allure Korea 2014 Best in Beauty Part 1: Make Up

i'm so slow on this..! the korean allure magazine has came up with their best beauty products for the year of 2014 since september! it's interesting to look at rankings from around the world just to have a feel of what people like, and what products are worth taking a second look at (in the event of being drowned by the thousands of competing products).

allure best of beauty aims to identify the most effective product available. it seems like allure does more than just blind tests to arrive at the winners. the editors also test out the products, review research and to consult with experts in the industry.

all the images belong to the official allure korea website, i translated the product names into english. i wish i can translate the short reviews that came along with the list.. i guess you have to trust google translator to help you out if you're interested in the comments.

part 1 consist of all the makeup products!

1. skin finisher

AWARD WINNER | VIDI VICI skin illumination SPF30/PA++

EDITOR'S PICK | HERA magic starter (02)

2. primer

AWARD WINNER | NATURE REPUBLIC botanical green tea power primer

EDITOR'S PICK | GIORGIO ARMANI UV master primer (mauve)

3. cc cream

AWARD WINNER | LAVIDA luminous solution CC cream SPF30/PA++

EDITOR'S PICK |Kate Somerville Illumikate CC Cream SPF50/PA+++

4. bb cream

AWARD WINNER | SULWHASOO snowise whitening essence BB cream SPF50/PA++ (1)

EDITOR'S PICK | HANEUL BB cream SPF50/PA++

5. liquid foundation

AWARD WINNER | DIOR capture totale triple correcting serum foundation SPF25 (010)

EDITOR'S PICK | GUERLAIN tenue de perfection time proof foundation SPF20/PA++ (01)

6. powder foundation

AWARD WINNER | BOBBI BROWN extra bright powder compact foundation SPF25/PA___

EDITOR'S PICK | SHISEIDO protective compact foundation SPF35/PA+++

7. moisture compact foundation

AWARD WINNER | AGE 20'S essence cover pact SPF50/PA+++ (21 light beige)

EDITOR'S PICK | ESPOIR face slip hydrating compact innovated

8. cushion pact

AWARD WINNER | VERITE UV multi cushion DX SPF50/PA+++ (21)

EDITOR'S PICK | IOPE air cushion XP SPF50/PA+++ (natural 21)

9. loose powder

AWARD WINNER | MAKEUP FOREVER HD finishing powder

EDITOR'S PICK | YVES SAINT LAURENT souffle d'eclat loose powder (1)

10. blusher

AWARD WINNER | MAKEUP FOREVER HD blusher (215)

EDITOR'S PICK | NARS matte multiple exumas

11. highlighter

AWARD WINNER | LANEIGE brush pact (3)

EDITOR'S PICK | THE FACE SHOP face it artist cube highlighter (1)

12. concealer

AWARD WINNER | CATRICE camouflage cream (10)

EDITOR'S PICK | RMK super basic concealer pact (medium)

13. lip balm

AWARD WINNER | KIEHL'S eucalyptus lip relief

EDITOR'S PICK | BURT'S BEE soothing rip balm with eucalyptus and menthol

14. color lip balm

AWARD WINNER | FRESH sugar petal lip treatment SPF15

EDITOR'S PICK | ARITAUM honey melting tint (7 coral candy)

15. matte lipstick

AWARD WINNER | MAC lipstick relentlessly

EDITOR'S PICK | ESPOIR no wear lipstick M (NY pink)

 

16. glossy lipstick

AWARD WINNER | GIORGIO ARMANI rouge ecstasy (301)

EDITOR'S PICK | 3 CONCEPT EYES creamy lip color (6)

17. lip gloss

AWARD WINNER | YVES SAINT LAURENT gloss volupte (49)

EDITOR'S PICK | ELISHACOY always kiss lip glow (2)

18. lip tint

AWARD WINNER | BENEFIT lollytint

EDITOR'S PICK | ESPOIR lip stain water glow (2)

19. lip lacquer

AWARD WINNER | YVES SAINT LAURENT baby doll kiss&blush (1)

EDITOR'S PICK | DIOR addict fluid stick (575)

20. lip crayon

AWARD WINNER | BOBBI BROWN art stick (2)

EDITOR'S PICK | NARS shading lip pencil (timanfaya)

21. mascara

AWARD WINNER | CLINIQUE lash power feathering mascara

EDITOR'S PICK | MAJOLICA MAJORCA lash expander edge meister F

22. pencil eyeliner

AWARD WINNER | KATE slim gel pencil (BK-1)

EDITOR'S PICK | GIORGIO ARMANI smooth silk eye pencil (11)

23. liquid eyeliner

AWARD WINNER | BOBBI BROWN black ink liner

EDITOR'S PICK | LUNA extreme liquid eyeliner (black)

24. eyebrow pencil

AWARD WINNER | SO NATURAL one touch eyebrow styler triple pencil

EDITOR'S PICK | TONY MOLY easy touch waterproof eyebrow (1)

25. eyebrow mascara

AWARD WINNER | BENEFIT gimme brow (light/medium)

EDITOR'S PICK | VDL festival brow colour (1)

26. cream eyeshadow

AWARD WINNER | BOBBI BROWN long wear cream shadow (10)

EDITOR'S PICK | RMK ingenious cream&powder eyes (5)

27. eyeshadow palette

AWARD WINNER | ESTEE LAUDER pure colour five colour eyeshadow palette (angel peach)

EDITOR'S PICK | MAC veluxe pearlfushion shadow (brown luxe)

THAT'S ALL FOR PART 1! my brain is in pain right now because i've never tried to read so much korean hangul in one sitting before. good lord. in extreme need of a rest!

hope you enjoy all these rankings as much as i do! one thing i don't understand is the difference between "best beauty" and "editor's pick". does anyone know?