Stepping into Seoul is akin to stepping into some sort of paradise; the beauty junkies would know. After all, you’re in the homeland of K-beauty, where endless streets are lined with Korean cult beauty brands that await your attendance. Towards the tail end of 2023, Business of Fashion reported that the #KBeauty hashtag garnered 9.6 billion views alone, with a multitude of Korean cult brands emerging on the frontier. A bulk of this would notably be its slew of skincare warriors, with brands such as Torriden, Round Lab and Beauty of Joseon leading the charge.
Beyond the bevy of toners, sunscreens and serums that have popped up on our radar, overwhelming entries in the hair and make-up space have also been all the rage. We’re looking at high-shine glosses with staying power, colour-correcting palettes meant to tackle the lot of redness and pigmentation, and blush pots that will incite vanity envy in every maximalist out there.
Then remains the question: where do we go to sweep the best of the lot? The answer has long been crystallised for all eternity; if the West has Sephora, then South Korea has Olive Young. In essence, a one-stop shop for all your K-beauty necessities.
And for those well-accustomed to the rodeo, you’ll know that the country’s streets are peppered with outlets everywhere. So there’s no reason not to arm yourself with the knowledge you need; here, the beauty team at Vogue Singapore filters out the top K-beauty products to cop the next time you’re in town. Because best believe it, that trip to Olive Young will be well worth your time.
1 / 15
Romand Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Grape
A gloss tint that glides on high shine and colour impact, it’s hard to rival Romand’s formula that will sits well through any climate—whether it be the harsh winds in Seoul or extreme humidity in Singapore. Upon first swipe, you get a burst of dewy moisture that lingers for an hour, leaving a beautiful nude purple tint in its wake. — Janice Sim, digital editor
Romand Juicy Lasting Tint, $15, available at Olive Young
2 / 15
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
Curious to know what the hype was about, I bought Round Lab’s 1025 Dokdo Toner last year and have never looked back.
This unscented toner harnesses the skin healing powers of magnesium and over 70 other naturally-derived minerals found in pure, deep sea water from Ulleungdo in South Korea. Unlike other essences or toners which may be thick and viscous-y, this watery product is best enjoyed in layers, and instantly soothes, hydrates and refreshes the skin upon contact. Importantly for sensitive skin types like mine, it gently and effortlessly exfoliates without stripping the skin thanks to the inclusion of protease. Add it to a mist bottle to spritz it onto the skin, or use it as a treatment pack by soaking cotton pads in the product and applying to the skin for five to 10 minutes as you dry your hair post-shower. — Alli Sim, beauty and wellness director
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner, $24.48, available at Olive Young
3 / 15
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm
When it comes to cleansing balms from South Korea, Banila Co’s Clean It Zero is a cult favourite loved by K-beauty enthusiasts, and I’m a willing convert. Bottled in a tub, the lightweight, sorbet-like texture of the balm transforms into an easy, luscious spread for the mien once massaged into skin. Led by its Zero Balance Technology, each of its variations—catered for all the different skin types—come stocked with an array of hydrating ingredients that work towards a make-up cleanse that doesn’t dry out the skin. And when it comes down to removing waterproof make-up, it’s guaranteed to deliver, without stinging the eyes should you be trying to rub out that bit of stubborn mascara. — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, $32.90 for 100ml, available at Banila Co.
4 / 15
Heart Percent Dot On Mood Lip Pencil
I may never go back to a thin format lip liner after getting my hands on Heart Percent’s retractable liner. Its rounded, chubby design and assortment of shades make this lip crayon a joy to use. Not one for lip fillers, I find this to be a dream for enhancing the shape and volume of the lips with some subtle overlining. Harsh, unnatural lines common with other lip liners are blurred with ease thanks to its blendable, long-wearing formula that can also be used on the cheeks and lids in a pinch. — Alli Sim, beauty and wellness director
Heart Percent Dot On Mood Lip Pencil, $25.84, available at Olive Young
5 / 15
Abib Heartleaf Spot Pads
There’s good reason to why Abib dominated the Toner Pad category at Olive Young 2021, with these nifty pads that are cool to the touch and calming to the skin. One tub contains 80 pads, generously doused in heartleaf extract that holds soothing properties that even cater to sensitive skin. These can be used day and night, with the former granting a smooth, soft mien right before your make-up routine. — Janice Sim, digital editor
Abib Toner Pads, $43 for 80 pads, available at Olive Young
6 / 15
Luna Conceal Blender Palette
If there’s one widely-approved product by celebrity make-up artists in South Korea? It’s the Luna Conceal Blender Palette. An all-in-one colour-correcting palette that truly allows one to perfect your base, this has proven to be a vanity staple since my first purchase of it. Its high-coverage formulation is both creamy to the touch and glides right on—making it ideal for touching up on any blemish spots or bouts of redness that may have popped up overnight. For someone who consistently battles with redness around my T-zone and dark circles around my under eyes, I find myself reaching for the palette’s mint green pot and salmon-pink hue, just to even out my skin tone before I go in with my concealer. — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Luna Conceal Blender Palette, $43, available at Olive Young
7 / 15
Dr.forhair Phyto Therapy Shampoo
The main conundrum of having a oily scalp and dry strands is finding a formula that is able to thoroughly cleanse without stripping and dehydrating tresses. Thankfully, the Dr.forhair Phyto Therapy Shampoo strikes the perfect balance. Its low pH composition means that there is a lessened chance of causing scalp irritation, with its inclusion of ingredients comprising microbial properties (think moringa oleifera seed extract) further helping reduce instances of itching, dandruff, as well as sensitivity.
I observed significant improvements within just two weeks of use, with my mane looking visibly fuller and bouncier. I also noticed reduced hair fall, and less oiliness along the crown area at the end of the day. I’d recommend it for daily use to witness optimal effects. — Emily Heng, associate beauty editor
Dr.forhair Phyto Therapy Shampoo, $39.30, available at Olive Young
8 / 15
Amuse Bebe Tint
As far as K-Beauty innovations in 2024 go, the Amuse Bebe Tint ranks high on my list thanks to its myriad of capabilities. Touted as a lip oil, tint, and pout-enhancing gloss, it’s safe to say that this bad boy delivers on its promises. A single swipe is enough to encase my lips in an ample dose of hydration, plus it is no slouch in the colour payoff department either—its glossy formula retains its high-shine quality when left undisturbed, and dries down to a stain only if your puckers have come in contact with grease or copious amounts of water.
And while its plumping effects are mild, it does create the impression of fuller, thicker lips that is further bolstered by the blinding sheen it leaves behind. My personal favourite hue: Grape Bebe; a gorgeous mauve shade that is also considered a top pick by Amuse brand ambassador, Jang Won-Young. — Emily Heng, associate beauty editor
Amuse Bebe Tint, $32.95, available at Olive Young
9 / 15
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
Lightweight to the touch, this buzzy sunscreen number from Skin1004 certainly doesn’t feel like one. Formulated with the brand’s signature combination of centella asiatica extract and hyaluronic acid, it’s hydrating effects are immediately distinguishable, and truly flourishes when it’s used after a morning round of toner, essence and moisturiser. Not only is it accompanied by an easy pump dispenser, it also glides on like a breeze and leaves no sign of it being a sunscreen (read: it’s white cast-free). Exactly what more can we ask for in our SPF? — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum, $27 for 50ml, available at Olive Young
10 / 15
Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurring Pudding Pot
The fanfare surrounding the recently rebranded K-Beauty brand is warranted—particularly when it comes to their latest cream blush variant. Available in 30 diverse hues, its appeal lies largely in its soft, bouncy texture that blends out like a dream.
I found that my fingers alone did the trick, with a few gentle taps ensuring a seamless blend along my visage. For those who prefer a more precise application, however, I’d say look to the Fwee Fingerlike Lip Brush. While it is utilised largely to create a gradient lip look, it works just as well across cheeks as well, creating a dreamy haze of colour that mimics a natural flush. — Emily Heng, associate beauty editor
Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurring Pudding Pot, $29.80, available at Olive Young
11 / 15
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
Blemishes, begone. The OG in making me a toner pad convert? Mediheal’s Madecassoside Blemish Pad. Beyond its neat, effective packaging, these pads are heavily-doused with madecassoside and centella asiatica—both with healing properties to counter the effects of acne scars, redness or hyperpigmentation. Perfectly sized to one’s cheeks, it’s easy enough to apply one on each side, especially on days I’m feeling particularly tormented by acne-ridden skin. Not only does it feel instantly soothing, it’s proven to almost always be effective in its results by the morning, when I would find my skin calmer and less irritated—on top of its extremely hydrating benefits. — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad, $33 for 100 pads, available at Olive Young
12 / 15
Jung Saem Mool Essential Micro Fitting Mist
Imagine hot spring water, without the heat. Instead, it’s cool and refreshing as it builds the perfect hydrating base to your make-up and/or even the finishing touch to lock in your base. Laden with minerals from 82% of hot spring water from the Czech Republic as well as moisturising extracts like fermented pearl and tillandsia usneoides, this bottle from Jung Sam Mool dispenses fine particles of mist evenly across your face, ensuring that all bases are covered. — Janice Sim, digital editor
Jung Saem Mool Essential Micro Fitting Mist , $28, available at Olive Young
13 / 15
Muzigae Mansion Object Liquid Lip Tint
I’ve always been a matte lip girlie at heart. Despite the newfound love for glossy tints, it’s hard to deny myself the dreamy finish of a soft, blurry swipe—one that perfectly melds with the powdery tones on my cheeks and lids. To that effect, I’ve consistently employed the velvety-smooth application of Muzigae Mansion’s Object Liquid Lip Tint, which also comes in a gorgeous light-refracting tube packaging that I’ve found to be something of a conversation starter. Consisting of a proprietary blend of thyme extract and rose cacina fruit oil, it definitely also lends to a deliciously smooth glide-on—one you can achieve with its angled applicator. And if I had to pick a personal favourite hue? 09 Perception wins the lot. — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Muzigae Mansion Object Liquid Lip Tint, $33, available at Olive Young
14 / 15
Torriden Cellmazing Vita C Brightening Mask Sheet
This is one of the essentials I pack in my suitcase and carry-ons. A quick-fixer that lathers on Vitamin C within an ultra-moisturising sheet. Your skin get a healthy dose of glycerin, hyaluronic acid alongside other nutrients—ensuring healthier, glowier and even bouncier skin the next morning. Either purchase in loose sheets or in a pack for a consistent routine. — Janice Sim, digital editor
Torriden Cellmazing Vita C Brightening Mask Sheet, $6 for one sheet, available at Olive Young
15 / 15
Too Cool For School Artclass by Rodin Shading
Bronzers aren’t an immediate go-to for my personal everyday look, but it definitely makes a difference for certain occasions. To that end, Too Cool For School’s entry has long established itself as a must-have in every vanity, and it’s easy to see why. Granting a natural strobe of colour, this palette of tonal hues is a winning trifecta of blendable shades—each one thoughtfully curated to accent the defined points of the face, from the hollows of your cheeks to the hairline and sides of the nose. No doubt, its winning factor for me is how subtle its shades are, easy to layer and build on for a deeper, moody finish. — Azrin Tan, digital writer
Too Cool For School Artclass by Rodin Shading, $23, available at Olive Young
