Whether it’s swooning over oppas, having soju over a K-bbq meal, or adopting the 10-step skincare routine, the K-wave has hit our shores and is clearly here to stay. That’s why Korean beauty brands like Innisfree, Etude House and Sulwhasoo have gained cult followings ever since.
Good news for K-beauty fans, Amorepacific has launched a physical store in partnership with Lazada at Funan this December. That means one-stop shopping for all your Korean beauty needs. But the best part is, you’ll finally be able to find the more obscure K-beauty brands that YouTubers have sworn by like Espoir and IOPE in Singapore.
Here’s the low-down of the lesser-known brands you can find at the new store:
True to its name, Easy Peasy is the brand to seek when you need makeup that’s both portable and practical. You’ll notice how every product in their line is made in the form of a stick so all you have to do is to pop it open and glide it over your face. No more spills or sticky hands when applying your lotions.
Pick up an Aqua Calming Stick ($21.70) for an on-the-go moisturizer. The special water-in-oil formula ensures that the product is quickly absorbed without leaving any sticky residue on the skin. Besides keeping it moisturised for 8 hours, it’s also great for reducing swelling. So if you wake up looking like Mrs. Puff from Spongebob every morning, just apply this and you’ll be ready to seize the day.
Take a quick scroll through Rarekind’s Instagram page and you’ll realise that they’ve nailed all your favourite Korean lippie looks. And if you’re a K-pop fan, know that even the baddest female, Hwasa from Mamamoo, has given her thumbs up.
Coat your lips with their Oversmudge Lip Tint ($21.70) to plump your lips up. Its velvety texture makes it easy to achieve that signature gradient finish. Best still, it has a matte coating to keep that deep red or coral pink fixed through the day without drying out your lips. That’s ‘cos its formula includes almond oil, argan kernel oil, and shea butter – an effective solution for hydrated lips.
If you’re envious of the radiant skin of the ajumma in K-dramas, Hanyul is the brand to check out. Their products incorporate traditional folk remedies and local ingredients such as brown pine needles and beans. You can expect creams and serums that are gentle on the skin without compromising its rejuvenating qualities.
Try out the highly raved-about Pure Artemisia Watery Calming Cream ($38.60). It not only keeps your skin hydrated but it’ll also protect it from environmental damage. The powerhouse ingredient here is the artemisia herb which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects – great for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Right off the bat, Espoir screams sultry glam vibes with bright red lippies and shimmery nude eyeshadows. They carry a wide range of deep red lip tints and a killer squad of primers, concealers, and foundations for that pop-star look. Here, you’ll also find a line of makeup fixatives to lock in your glam for the day.
To achieve a natural finish, their Pro Tailor Foundation Be Glow ($54) is a must-try. It won’t just provide a lightweight solution to conceal those blemishes, it will also give you a radiant glow. Pair this with a base coat of Skin Smoothing Glorizer ($40), a primer that’ll moisturise, smoothen, and brighten your skin.
For men who are keen to add a skincare routine into their grooming arsenal, Bro&T!ps will serve you well with their range of products that have been specially designed for men. Their products cover all your skincare needs minus the elaborate steps, perfect for those who don’t have the patience for a 10-step regimen.
You can expect solutions like Never Dry All-In-One ($38.60), a lotion that has a mix of moisturiser, eye cream, and whitening and anti-wrinkling ingredients. That’s 4 steps combined into 1!
Guys will also appreciate their Monster Wash ($16.90) foam cleanser that cleanses and plumps up the skin, and the non-sticky Super Light Sun Cream ($28.90) that works against sweat.
It’s not easy to pick out new skincare products, especially since most of us have specific needs like ageing or sensitive skin to address.
If you’ve been looking for a serum to soothe dryness or a lotion that won’t aggravate troubled spots, check out IOPE’s wide array of products for every skin type. They have everything from wrinkle care and sunscreens, to small vials for spot treatment and cushion foundation for quick touch-ups.
Keep your eyes peeled for one of their best-sellers: the Age Corrector 2500 ($96.40). It’s an anti-ageing wrinkle serum that delivers a boost of collagen to the areas of the face with thinner skin such as under the eyes and on the nose. Just dab this on and watch your wrinkles fade over time so your skin can gain back that healthy bounce.
Aside from these rare Korean favourites, the AMORE Store x Lazada in Funan will also house popular brands such as Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Etude House, RYO, and Innisfree. It’s as good as a quick trip to Korea to stock up on all your favourite products at the same place.
Making payments at this store will be a tad different too. Simply download the Lazada app (iOS, Android) and scan the QR code next to the product that you want to purchase. From there, you’ll be directed to LazMall to make your payment. If the product runs out of stock in-store, it will be delivered to your address instead.
Test out new products at the sample booth
Not only are these indie Korean beauty brands gracing our sunny island with a variety of skincare and makeup products, shopping is also more convenient with the cashless concept. No more struggling to fish your card from your purse or being unable to try out rare Korean brands – the AMORE Store x Lazada will be a one-stop-shop for all things K-beauty.
Address: #02-13, Funan, 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
This post was brought to you by Lazada.
Photography by Huy Pham.
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