Korea is known for its fast and innovative beauty industry, and its cosmetics have quickly become a staple among Canadian women and men, both young and old. Famous for sheet face masks and BB creams, Korean products have popped up in Calgary in both mainstream beauty shops as well as Korean grocery stores. In fact, earlier this fall Sephora launched a department specifically focused on Korean beauty products.
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher
The design-focused cutesy brand, Too Cool For School, is a hit with millennial women and teens thanks to it is fun and flashy style. The blusher is in a small tube with a puff applicator that you dab onto your cheeks for a natural flush. The Dinoplatz Blusher ($27.60) comes in three shades including Beach Break, Lava Martini and Surf’s Up.
Sephora Chinook Centre, 403-355-3500, and two other Calgary locations, sephora.ca
Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
Formulated for normal to dry skin, LANEIGE‘s Water Bank Gel Cream ($45) is a luxurious moisturizer. Fusing minerals such as zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese and sodium with hydro-ionized mineral water, Laneige formulated an intensely moisturizing cream that you can use on your face and your body. e.Mart is a stand-alone Korean grocery store that just so happens to have a fully stocked beauty boutique within the store. You can pick up all of your favourite sheet masks here as well as other skincare lines. Staff will expertly guide you to the perfect product for your skincare needs.
eMart, 3702 17 Ave S.W., 403-210-5577
The Face Shop Chia Seed Moisturizing Cream
Chia seeds aren’t just for your smoothies. The Face Shop, a Korean cosmetics brand that took over most of the Fruits & Passions shops across Canada, has an entire line dedicated to that powerful little seed. The rich Chia Seed Moisturizing Cream ($32) will take your dry, wintery skin and boost it with chamomile extracts and, you guessed it, chia seeds.
The Face Shop, Southcentre Mall, 403-278-7044, and two other Calgary locations, thefaceshop-america.com
Patchology FlashPatch Lip Gels
Similar to the popular sheet face masks, this special gel mask is formulated for your lips. The FlashPatch Lip Gels ($60) helps you achieve soft and smooth lips. Using ingredients such as niacinamide, peptides and green tea extract, these see-through hydrogels transform your lips in only five minutes.
Murale, Southcentre Mall, 403-278-8302, murale.ca
Morihata Binchotan Charcoal Facial Puff
While Morihata actually originates from Japan, charcoal sponges and puffs are ever-present in Korean beauty shops. This particular facial puff ($19) is 100 percent natural and made with binchotan charcoal powder and pure vegetable fibers. The texture is rough and rock-hard at first, but once you soak the sponger you can use it to gently exfoliate your skin.
Fresh Laundry, 1216Â 9 Ave. S.E., 403-475-7515, freshlaundry.co