All The Korean Beauty Brands You Need *Right Now*

Using the right fragrance is key year-round, but there’s something even more magical about wearing your favorite perfumes throughout a particular season. Those looking for small-batch, premium-quality perfumes will be thrilled to learn about ELOREA. This brand pairs intoxicatingly fresh scents with poetic Korean words that encapsulate feelings or words that sometimes our every day English just can’t seem to evoke.

Elegant and luxe, each unisex ELOREA scent brings a Korean word to life. Case in point: my favorite scent featured within The Forgotten Words Discovery Set is Be By My Side ($125 for 50ml), which features notes of upcycled bergamot, ginseng, upcycled rose, vetiver, and vanilla. Be By My Side, created from the Korean word hūnoni, translates to "missing someone dearly." Through the warmth of ginseng, rich florals, and velvety suede base notes, this scent is my go-to for day or night. Yet, as much as Be By My Side was the scent I gravitated toward, the other three scents in the Discovery Set were just as lovely and a must-add to any fragrance collection.  

We know eggs are a good source of nutrients. These properties are nutrient-rich for the skin, from collagen and amino acids in the yolk to minerals and vitamins in egg whites. But in a world where sustainability, environmental concerns, and animal welfare are becoming increasingly important topics for brands and consumers, how does a brand harness the power of these nutrients in an intentional, vegan formula?

Enter Superegg. This Korean brand features properties in its skincare products that match an egg’s nutritional value, all while using 100 percent vegan ingredients. Superegg’s founder, Erica Choi, a licensed esthetician in New York City, says, “Clean beauty starts from a simple idea. For us, it began with an egg and its nutritional values.”

Using the egg as a foundation, Choi created vegan formulations to match the nutritional values and benefits of key skincare ingredients: a Yolk Duplex, a White Duplex, and a Shell Duplex. Within each of these is a unique blend of ingredients designed to address a number of skin concerns: adenosine for skin barrier repair and collagen production, beta-glucan to nourish and hydrate dry skin, and coenzyme Q10 to protect against environmental stressors and encourage skin repair.

One of the newest launches from Superegg is the Vitamin Collective Vitality Elixir, which I’ve added to my skincare routine to boost protection from everyday elements. The silky serum contains ingredients such as sea moss, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to fortify, brighten, and hydrate skin, and is fragrance-free.

I apply a thin layer of the Vitality Elixir to cleansed skin, which absorbs beautifully without leaving any stickiness or residue behind. After massaging in, I finish my routine with a sleeping mask or moisturizer for my normal-to-dry skin. For the daytime, I apply vitamin C (my current favorite is Sunday Riley’s CEO), Superegg’s Vitality Elixir, and moisturizing sunscreen.

The Vitamin Collective Vitality Elixir is suitable for day or nighttime use. In the time I’ve implemented it into my skincare routine, there’s been a noticeable difference in the hydration and buoyancy of my skin (my esthetician agrees!).

I’m not embarrassed to admit that two of my favorite lip products are Lip Smackers and Vaseline. I apply lip balm throughout the day, so for a formula to catch my eye, it must be hydrating, smell good, and not feel sticky. And after purchasing my first Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask a few years ago (the flavor was Gummy Bear, how could I not?!), I honestly didn’t see what the hype was. At a $24 price point, it felt to me like an expensive Vaseline.

I figured I’d use it up and not buy it again. Yet fast forward to today, and I’ve got a pot of Laneige at my desk, in my bedside drawer, and in my bathroom cabinet. Why the change of heart? I really love the soft, silky texture that absorbs nicely into my lips to keep them soft and hydrated. The scent is always yummy, and there’s a slight flavor I love.

Laneige is the best of both worlds because it feels like the middle ground between Vaseline and Lip Smackers. Plus, with the limited edition launches throughout the year (currently loving the Pink Lemonade Swirl), I’ll add the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to my cart whenever I run low.

The packaging alone catches my eye when it comes to TONYMOLY products. You’ve likely seen the brand in your favorite beauty retail stores, and while they have many products to choose from, I always make sure to have a stack of their unbeatable sheet masks on hand.

Perfect for travel, sheet masks are exactly what I keep in my carry-on to use during and after a long flight. Depending on what my skin looks like on the flight (usually dry and sensitive 😒), I especially love the ingredients in the I’m Honey or I’m Coconut Sheet Masks. Both are super hydrating and feel soothing on my skin.

Because the masks are 3-layer pulp sheets, they adhere to the skin nicely and don’t leave a mess during the application or removal process. Here’s a pro tip: don’t toss any of the serum left behind in the package! Apply any remaining serum on your décolleté and back of your hands to get even more mileage from these easy-to-use sheet masks.

Out of all the products I need in a daily routine (aside from sunscreen!), a hydrating serum is a must. One of my current favorite skincare ingredients is tea. Packed with antioxidant-rich flavonoids, Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Innisfree features five types of hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. The gel formula is super soothing when applied to the skin and instantly revitalizes tired skin. In addition to applying it directly to the face, you can add it to your liquid foundation if you want a dewy and fresh finish.

Double cleansing is a benefit for all skin types, and cleansing oils or balms often get a bad rap because they’re misunderstood! Ideal for oily, normal, combination, and dry skin, I always reach for a cleansing balm as the first step in my nighttime routine.

Cleansing balm helps break down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum (oil that could clog pores) on the skin. After cleansing with oil, doing a second cleanse with your everyday formula is recommended to pick up anything left behind after the initial cleanse.

Beauty of Joseon’s Radiance Cleansing Balm emulsifies nicely and keeps my skin feeling hydrated after the first round of cleansing. It’s unscented, which is perfect for those who have sensitive skin! If you want to try a two-step cleansing method at night, combining a cleansing balm and a gentle rice cleanser (I’m currently using Tatcha’s The Rice Wash) is magic for your skin.