It was just a few years ago that Korean brands of skincare and makeup have invaded the Philippines. I think it went with the invasion of K-Pop. Haha. If there’s anything to envy about Koreans, it’s their silky smooth skin! And so it’s not that hard to imagine why Korean brands are so popular nowadays, including here in Riyadh. We were so happy when The Face Shop opened, followed by Tony Moly, and then recently, Etude House and Nature Republic. We’re no longer going to wait for our vacation to buy hauls of our holy grain products! We’ve noticed though that prices here are a bit higher compared to the Philippines. But maybe because of the import fees and taxes that are now imposed here in Saudi Arabia too. Anyway, better then online shopping for those who can’t wait.

Here are more information about the Korean brands of skincare and makeup that are now available in Riyadh, along with some of their bestsellers. I also added short reviews for products that I have personally tried and swear by. This will come in handy for those beginners in the Korean beauty game. Here we go Kbeauty!

1. The Face Shop

The Face Shop or TFS is one of the biggest Korean brand of skincare and makeup. Created in 2003 in South Korea, The Face Shop now has 2,600 worldwide! Talk about fast expansion! TFS is committed to offering a wide selection of skincare and beauty products that are “born from botany”, blending science and nature to meet all beauty needs. A beauty ritual should has at least one of TFS’ product, whether that be a mask, a body care product, or a facial wash. It promises to enhance our natural beauty!

Bestselling Products: Face Mask Sheets / Chia Seed Skincare Products / Rice Water Bright Line

Reviews of Products I Currently Own

Power Perfection BB Cream – One of my holy grail BB creams ever, I discovered this product in 2013. I first used it on a travel to Thailand and you know Thailand right? It’s a hot country and we’re perspiring like crazy in this elephant sanctuary when the lady told me my face looked so smooth and flawless. Now, those are words that are not typically used to describe my face. Haha. This BB cream gave my skin a hydrated, healthy-looking skin. I love this BB cream because apart from serving as makeup, it also improves my skin in and out.
CC Ultra Moist Cushion (V205 Dark Beige) – I hate Korean cushion makeup. Not because they don’t work but because nothing ever works with my morena skin tone. They always go on light and make me look like mumu. Haha. I finally saw “Dark Beige” in TFS’ Miracle Finish CC Ultra Moist Cushion. I was still doubtful so I only bought the refill (which was on sale at SR 19 that time). It came with a sponge anyway, just without the compact. I tried it on and I was pretty much impressed! It gives my skin a natural, dewy finish. It also has hyaluronic acid as one of its ingredients, and it’s an ingredient that my skin loves. Now, if your skin is too oily, I won’t recommend this because it will make your face look oilier!

THE FACE SHOP LOCATION MAP

Also in Al Qasr Mall, Riyadh Gallery, etc.

2. Tony Moly

Tony Moly was created in 2006 in Seoul, South Korea, three years after the birth of TFS. They take pride in using high quality (and other times, bizzare) ingredients combined with innovative technology. Their cute and fun packaging help make them a household name, not only in Korea, but in other countries as well. They are committed to perfecting skincare through continuous research and ethical practices. 

Bestselling Products: Magic Food Banana Line / Goat Milk Premium Cream / Egg Pore / I’m Real Sheet Masks

Reviews of Products I Currently Own

Ferment Snail Lip Treatment – Snail… weird right? Not exactly. Snail essence has been used in Korean skincare for a long time now and while it does sound “yuck” to some, of course that’s not the case when already turned into a skincare product. It’s not exactly the snail smut that’s in the packaging you know. So the Timeless lip treatment gives the lips ultimate care. It’s like petroleum jelly in consistency and I use it every evenings after I scrub my lips. It’s not tacky or sticky. It’s really like petroleum jelly which I used to use. I let it stay on my lips and after I wake up in the morning, my lips are smoother, though not enough to remove dryness in an instant. 
Perfect Eyes Super Proof Eye Liner – This is one of the best liquid eye liners I own. It has a thin stick that applies a pigmented black ink. It’s a bit watery and glossy at first but when it dries down, it’s pretty much foolproof! Don’t rub it too hard though of course. 

TONY MOLY LOCATION MAP:

3. Etude House

Cult favorite Etude House has just opened their branches in Riyadh this Ramadan. Everyone was so excited about it! Well why not? This brand is known for their cute cosmetics, especially lip and cheek tints. It’s bubbly, it’s fun, and it’s happy! Etude House is probably the oldest among the brands listed in this entry. It was founded in 1985. In 2007, they opened their 100th store and they were unstoppable since then even bagging numerous awards along the way.

Bestselling Products: Therapy Air Masks / Dear Darling Water Gel Tints / Moistfull Collagen Line / Wonder Pore Line

Reviews of Products I Currently Own

Face Blur – This is their most popular primer. Apart from serving as prep for the skin, it also has SPF 33 that protects the skin from the harsh rays of the sun. The Face Blur is not yet available in Riyadh stores and I got sampler sachets from Holy Grail PH/KSA online. I like this lightweight cream and it instantly refined and smoothened my skin with a bit of brightening effect. My pores look minimized! I hope they bring this in their branches in Riyadh.
Dear Darling Water Gel Tint – I have the ones in the little popsicle container… super adorable! But what I like most about these tints are how easy to apply and blend they are. In the packaging they look opaque but when glided on the lips, they turn sheer with hints of color that are not too much. They make the lip ombre trend so easy to achieve. Kissable lips with barely there color? Check!

ETUDE HOUSE LOCATION MAP:

4. Nature Republic

Nature Republic is a “natural brand that finds and shares the energy of life from the pristine nature around the world.” Can you count how many “nature” was mentioned in that sentence? Haha. Understably, Nature Republic takes pride in its all-natural ingredients when it comes to their skincare line. I was surprised to know that they also have a cosmetics line when they opened their store in Al Nakheel Mall.

Bestselling Products: Aloe Vera Line / Ginseng Royal Silk Line / ProTouch Color Master Eyeshadow Palettes

Reviews of Products I Currently Own

Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel – I think I’ve mentioned this gel a thousand times in my Beauty Bets entry. Ever since I used this, I can’t stop gushing about it! A few years ago, the skin on my face had a rough texture. It had tiny bumps that wouldn’t go away no matter what product I use. Then came Nature Republic’s Soothing Alove Vera Gel. I used to put this on my face every night. It has a cooling effect (put it in the ref) and goes on lightweight. The skin easily absorbs it. As time went by, I noticed that the bumps were gone. I still have scars that I have to tend to but that’s not this gel’s problem, haha. It’s a great moisturizer and a primer as well. I also used the face mist and I need to stock up on that soon. I’m still going to buy my stock of these at iHerb though because they’re cheaper there. What’s a few days wait? *Aloe vera gel in Nature Republic Riyadh comes in a tube.*
Hyaluronic Acid Real Comforting Mask Sheet – I haven’t used this but since hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that my face agrees with, I’m excited for this one!

NATURE REPUBLIC LOCATION MAP:

So there you go! If you want to get to know more Kbeauty, a visit to these stores should be in order! Try the Korean 10-step skincare routine too if you have the patience and time to do it. I tried but obviously, this lazy ass failed. Haha. I’m fine using some products and incorporating them in my skin routine but not 10 steps! Here’s my face of the day wearing most of the products I reviewed in this entry:

Sorry if I have to post my face in Beauty Bets entries. If it’s not about makeup and skincare and swearing by products I’m using, trust me, I wouldn’t display my face here. Haha. As you might have noticed in television and print, Korean women have very light makeup on. Most of their makeup have that ‘barely there effect’ and they mostly focus on making their skin so flawless and smooth. Have you heard of the trending glass skin these days? A cushion makeup will work in achieving that look. My face is filled with acne scars from my teenage years and I doubt if I can achieve that glass skin but I’m okay just having a bright face for the first day of work after the eid holidays. Mukhang hindi puyat masyado. Lol. For reference, I have combination to oily skin. I’m mostly “natural beige” in skin tone.

Products Used: Etude House Face Blur Primer / The Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream / Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer / Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder / Miniso Eyebrow Pencil / Tony Moly Perfect Eyes Super Proof Eyeliner / Tarte Blush / Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint Gel