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1.06.2015

GENIUS KOREAN BEAUTY FINDS

photo credits: one | two | three | four 

I was having a coffee date with some friends in Koreatown just before Christmas last year (hee hee, last year? that's still always funny to me for some reason) when we got on the subject of Korean make up. The Koreans are known for having their own specific make up styles and really amazing products, they practically invented the BB cream (well, a German invented it, but the Koreans took it from there), there's even something called Korean brows. You're going to lose hours here, I'm sorry. But as a fellow dark-haired, yellow undertone type of lady, let me tell you. I can appreciate. I've been obsessed with reading Korean make up reviews on Amazon. But what I didn't realize is there's actually a shop in KTown that's stocked all these products all along! Cue my geeky excitement.

Koreatown is very small, just one city block on 32nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. It's the best spot to find japchae and bibimbap and after living in Seoul as a kid, I always get a bit of a thrill when I'm down there, but somehow I'd passed a million times but never noticed the tiny The Face Shop tucked in between all the Korean BBQ restaurants. My friends gave it all these rave reviews, so immediately after polishing off the last of our Korean doughnuts, I booked it to the shop for a little poke-about. The place is really fun. Think: crazy magazines. I get such a kick out of Korean boy bands. Anyway few weeks later and I am happy to report: totally lives up to the hype. 


I picked up this CC cream in Natural Beige while I was there and oh hell, it has thrilled me to no end. This stuff! My skin keeps getting all these compliments, I swear it's going to get a big head soon. (I also bought a tube of BB cream, though I haven't loved it quite as much.)

Another big hit for me is this Korean brow pencil in dark brown. It seriously may have changed my life. My hair is so dark it's almost black. It's been the bane of my existence to find a dark brown that is ashy enough to match my hair. But leave it to the Koreans! Thank your, Korea!

Here's a shot of the stuff in action, snapped from the roof of our building this afternoon while Huck ate all the fresh snow he could stuff in his mouth. (Snow day!) I've been using the CC cream as an under-eye concealer, and the pencil to fill out the outside ends of my brows (#shortbrowproblems).


Anyway I'm no Korean model but that ain't bad!

Record number of uses of the word Korea in this post? ;)

22 comments:

  1. As a dark-browed wonder myself I may just hop to and get myself in touch with the Korean side of makeup!
    Also, I have come to love your blog. Your beautiful take on life is refreshing and much needed. I appreciate your love for family and hilarity. I never leave without a little chuckle. And your beautiful pictures make me a wee bit jealous, but it's totally okay. Happy snow day!

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  2. I'm not usually one for beauty posts, but this one caught my eye, and it was really great and informative (at least to a beauty novice such as myself whose normal routine doesn't entail more than a quick swipe of lipstick or mascara).
    -E

    amie-eo.blogspot.com

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  3. I kinda want to buy that CC cream for the container...it looks like fun to smoosh it and make the make-up come out.

    Anyway. Love you Natalie. Thanks for being my favorite workday distraction!

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  4. Ahhh Korean makeup. The best. Also 'thank your'- I got a giggle out of that one. Love it!

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  5. Thanks for sharing your heart!

    I have been inspired to share my journey with Huntingtons Disease.

    Www.livingwithpassion90.blogspot.com

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  6. Am a big fan of Korean make up too. I've been using iope's air cushion for a while now as i am a big fan of the whole less is more mentality when it comes to make up. But you've tempted me with this CC product so I think i'll check it out when I'm done with mine.

    Your photo looks stunning. Your skin looks like it's been airbrushed! :)

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  7. Thanks for the post, Natalie. You look lovely, as always. I have never heard about Korean make up, but as a fair skin, dark haired, hazel eyed girl myself, I'm totally intrigued. Happy New Year!

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  8. great post! they makeup looks so fresh on you! i love it.

    www.amoderngypsy.blogspot.com

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  9. I added the CC cream to my wishlist. I'm totally keen to try it especially with that much SPF!

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  10. You look great! And lookit this: I actually am Asian (Chinese), live by LA's Koreatown (aka I already know where the closest The Face Shop is), and just started experimenting with brow pencil. Win win win, I'm going to head over there this week!

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  11. Oh my gosh! I LOVE this post. Can't wait to check it out.

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  12. Your mention of japchae and bibimbap made me so thrilled. I lived in Seoul as a kid too and OH MY GOSH the food. Ohhh the food.

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  13. I'm korean but have very pink/cool undertones, not yellow, so...yeah...Can we talk about korean eye makeup woes though? Still haven't quite figured that one out yet ;)

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  14. I've been a fan of the Korean Skin79 BB creams (the pink bottle and the gold bottle, the orange bottle leaves me with too much of a Twilight-y glow) for the last year or so so I feel obligated to to give this one a whirl too. Thanks!

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  15. I'm a fan of Korean beauty products, and Peach and Lily is a great online store. I just can't do the snail masks, because I used to have a pet snail. :P

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  16. omg! your skin is flawless!! i'm totally lovin' korean makeup now.thanks!!

    xo joselovincolors
    www.joselovincolors.com

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  17. I am so excited about all of this! Super pale, yellow undertones. I already ordered the CC cream. I'm obsessed with this Korean Eyebrow thing. Those are my natural eyebrows! I feel like the heavens just opened up.

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  18. I am excited to see the return of the beauty posts! I don't have an older sister to teach me these things, and last year you single-handedly inspired me to try red lipstick, a face brush, and an eyebrow pencil (life = changed). Keep it up!

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  19. I love CC Cream. As a blond, pale (red/orange) undertone of a lady, the supergoop brand in light/medium is a lifesaver. Love this post - now off to find a good eyebrow pencil!

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  20. Best thing for me is circle lenses -Hanna Lei

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  21. I just started using laura mercier tinted moisturizer and it has been a total game changer for me... but I'm always looking for something better. And I trust you because I like you. Have you used laura mercier? If so, how does your new cc cream compare?

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  22. So the photo doesn't show the outside of your brows?

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