When I say “Urban Decay,” you say “Naked Palette.” When I say “Yves Saint Laurent,” you say “Touche Eclat.” Not for nothing, it’s a game beauty junkies could easily play. But if you’ve just barely figured out the difference between an essence and an ampoule, then decoding the world of Korean skincare brands (there are estimated to be a cool 2,000) might seem a daunting task. Routes Not to worry though, we’ve got curated picks from the coolest and most impressive K-beauty entrepreneurs. First, we’re starting with Sokoglam.
Soko Glam
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Soko Glam #1
By Sara Spruch-Feiner
Shopping on Sokoglam, curated by Charlotte Cho, is like taking a trip through Myeongdong, Seoul’s dedicated beauty district. Cho curates the best of “high street” beauty brands -- the kinds big enough to have brick and mortar stores all throughout Seoul -- and also the ones that are most rapidly gaining recognition stateside (or will, thanks to her attention).
Mixed in are a smattering of more niche brands and high end brands like Su:M 37. But even if you're new to the Korean beauty scene, the prices are manageable.
Heard of the Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick (bloggers simply call it MRCS)? Well, with some luck (read: if it’s in stock) you can catch it on Sokoglam, and that’s just one example of some of the cult-iest staples readily available on the site.
Want more of Cho’s advice? You’re in luck—we’re just a few weeks away from the November 10th release of her first book: The Little Book of Skincare: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin.
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Soko Glam #2
SU:M 37 MRCS Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
A second cleanser in a rare form: a stick that is, this cleanser has a cult following. Actual rose petals gently exfoliate damp skin as you massage the stick around your face—it lathers, like a foaming cleanser would. AT $28.00, it’s a more affordable way to try luxe brand SU:M 37. With no liquid involved, this one’s a gym bag essential.
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Soko Glam #3
Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Mist, $35
Charlotte points to Missha as one of the first K-beauty brands to turn attention to the U.S. market and favors the brand for their high quality products without the luxury price tag. Their First Treatment Essence Mist makes the essence step that much simpler by eliminating the need for a cotton pad and increases cell turnover for a smooth, bright complexion thanks to its main ingredient: saccharomyces ferment filtrate—a yeast, rich in skin-conditioning amino acids.
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Soko Glam #4
Manefit Bling Bling Hydrogel Mask, $6
If you’re new to the big, bright world of sheet masks then perhaps your entrypoint was with a standard cotton mask soaked in essence. Thanks to the rapid pace of Korean innovation, however, cotton masks are already so yesterday. Time for a hydrogel sheet—these masks plump skin and brighten complexions for a youthful glow. Plus, these are produced by one of the leading mask makers in Korea, a company that helped put sheet masks on the map—in fact they produce approximately 80% of Korea's sheet masks.
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Soko Glam #5
Niveola 3D Festival Mask Pack, $20/set of 10
Your roommate/boyfriend/mom might still be confused, but probably less terrified at the site of these made-for-Instagram sheet masks. As Cho puts it, these Niveola festival masks “turn skin care into a fashion statement with printed colorful designs.” These Blair Waldorf-worthy festival masks are totally worth the hashtags: #sokoglam #bblogger #sokosecret
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Soko Glam #6
Skinfood Strawberry Wash Off Mask, $16.80
Though it’s called a “wash off mask,” this gritty strawberry scrub rinses right off like any other manual exfoliant. This one is like a little, adorable tub of strawberry jam—the smell is close enough you’d be tempted to take a spoonful. The formula is also full of strawberry seeds, Skinfood is all about the notion: “If it's good for the body, it can also be good for your face.” Cho notes that while she’s tried countless exfoliators, this one is her favorite and always leaves her feeling the most refreshed and bright. Plus,
humectant ingredients ensure skin isn't stripped of protective moisture.
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Soko Glam #7
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Purity, $25
All the benefits of an oil cleanser (that’s step one for the double cleanse, guys) -- none of the mess. The texture of this solid cleanser has been described as sherbet-like, but it melts on contact with your skin. Perhaps you’ve seen the classic pink version of this cleanser around—this version, the “Purity” edition is formulated without parabens or mineral oil, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.
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Soko Glam #8
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum, $23
Vitamin C is a key ingredient when it comes to fighting fine lines and diminishing brown spots. Plus, it helps prevent further free radical damage. However, it’s a fragile ingredient, which is why you’ll often see it in tinted bottles that sometimes require refrigeration. Klairs’s formula, however, contains stabilized vitamin C -- meaning this serum's shelf life will extend past a month.
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Soko Glam #9
Son & Park Glow Ring Foundation $37
Korea’s top makeup artists bring their innovative touch to this affordable, multi-tasking cosmetic line. The newly-added Glow Ring Foundation features a unique essence core (key for hydration), plus a buffing brush (a feature that seems obvious, but isn’t added to many foundation sticks) -- making this handy stick key for on-the-go touch-ups and a stellar bang-for-your-buck.
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Soko Glam #10
Neogen Green Tea Foaming Cleanser, $19
This second-step cleanser is a potent, glamorous elixir. It contains fermented green tea leaves and extracts in the bottle. Green tea is a perfect example of a recurring philosophy in Korean skincare: If it’s good for our insides, it might be good for our skin too. When it comes to this powerful tea that’s certainly true. This foaming cleanser is a must-have for sensitive skin types thanks to its powerful antioxidants that protect and soothe.
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Soko Glam #11
CLIO Killblack Waterproof Pen Eyeliner, $20
This liquid liner from the popular Korean cosmetics company Clio is a tried-and-true favorite. Cho points out that Korean cosmetics have perfected the liner game because the makeup must stand up to everything from hot summer heat and blustery winter winds.
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Soko Glam #12
Re:P Organic Cotton Toning Pads
The newest brand addition to Sokoglam pares it back to basics and adds travel-friendly formulations to the mix -- think simple (and organic!) cotton pads that are so much easier than heavy bottles of toner. These pads are infused with extracts of damask rose, tea tree and calendula. They gently exfoliate and hydrate skin and restore pH balance.
