It’s no secret that Korean cosmetics are loved by beauty gurus all around the world. K-beauty products are known to use gentler formulas coupled with natural ingredients that are good for the skin, making them less harsh compared to Western makeup products. With so many beauty influencers sharing their favorite products on TikTok, I’m sure I am not the only one wondering which ones are actually worth the hype.
After weeding through dozens of viral K-beauty products, here are 5 items that TikTok made me buy and my honest review of each. K-beauty products are also quite affordable compared to their Western counterparts, so all the items are below $30 and can be purchased on Amazon or Olive Young Global.
If you’re on the beauty side of TikTok’s algorithm, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen this viral red cushion. Founded in 2016 by a Korean beauty influencer, TIRTIR has garnered significant popularity in Japan. The TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion in particular has earned numerous beauty awards and boasts an impressive record of being used by 35% of all Japanese women—or 1 cushion being sold every 4 seconds!
I was excited to try this product because it is famously advertised for staying flawlessly put for up to 72-hours. Reviews also mention that there is no need to use primer or setting spray with this cushion foundation, which makes the product appealing to someone like me who prefers quick and easy makeup.
I purchased the shade 21N, which is meant for neutral skin tones like mine. Upon using the product, the full coverage it provided immediately impressed me, even with just one layer. Its finish leans towards natural with a subtle dewiness, leaving a healthy glow without looking overly shiny or greasy. One of its standout features is definitely its impressive longevity. My base makeup seemed to stay intact without having to make touch-ups throughout the day, though its buildable application gives people the option to add more layers without looking cakey.
Overall, the Tirtir MaskFit Red Cushion lives up to its hype as a viral sensation. Whether you’re running errands or attending important meetings, this foundation has you covered, quite literally!
K-Beauty is well-known for their wide range of lip products, with huge variety in colors and consistency. Rom&nd is a famous makeup brand in Korea, most well-known for their lip tints and glosses. Personally, I always suffer from dry and chapped lips so I’ve stayed away from tints that can be drying. I was super excited to try their Glasting Melting Balm, a hybrid between a lip tint and balm that promises nourishing hydration and vivid color.
Out of the 7 shade options, I purchased the #8 Kaya Fig color that gives off a soft rosy fig hue. The balm glided on very pleasantly on the lips, with an angled applicator allowing for more precise application. What sets this lip product apart is its formula, which combines the intensity of a lipstick with the nourishing properties of a balm. Infused with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil, it keeps lips soft, supple, and free from dryness or flakiness. Unlike traditional matte lipsticks, it didn’t leave my lips feeling parched or uncomfortable, making it suitable for everyday wear.
Overall, I would also have to agree with the online hype over this lip product, as it ticks all my boxes for style and comfort. For $12, I’d say this is a great dupe for the YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss or their new Loveshine Lip Oil.
Speaking of Rom&nd, another viral K-beauty product that I’ve seen online is their newest blush collection called Better Than Cheek. This series features pastel colors inspired by dried fruits, helping to create natural hues that accentuate your glow. The product is smaller in comparison to many other blushes that I’ve purchased, but the more affordable price definitely makes up for its size. I was a bit nervous to try this product because there seemed to be more mixed reviews online, with some people saying that it was not pigmented enough.
I purchased the shade Vine Nude, which is one of their more subtle colors in the collection compared to the Blueberry Chip, Pear Chip, Fig Chip, and Peach Chip shades. While the blush didn’t seem very pigmented at first, I liked that it was super buildable and subtle on the face. I could see why some people weren’t satisfied with the product, as the blush is more natural compared to products from Western brands. However, if you’re looking to achieve the subtle flushed look trending in Korea and Japan, this product is for you!
The blush also had a mattifying and blurring effect on my base makeup, giving my cheeks a soft color while masking out my pores. Personally, this was a successful purchase for me.
This one has been around in the K-beauty world for a while, with over 10 million units sold and consistently ranking the #1 contour palette in Korea. I’ve used this product for many years now but noticed that it was only recently becoming hyped outside of Korea through platforms like TikTok. I’ve tried to purchase Western contour products multiple times but have been disappointed because the bronzers and contours sold in the U.S. always seemed too orange on my Asian skin tone. This product in particular is great for beginners and professionals alike, as the palette contains three different shades that you can use separately or blended together.
I purchased the 1.5 Neutral tone, which is the shade in between the #1 Classic and #2 Modern. I’d recommend the Classic palette for warm tones and the Modern palette for cool tones, but if you’re stuck or somewhere in the middle like me, you can’t go wrong with the Neutral shades. The powder has a soft, matte finish that lays well on your base makeup and stays put throughout the day. It even came with a mini contour brush that worked perfectly with the powder and made it easy to apply.
It’s no surprise that this palette has maintained its popularity over the years, as it is both versatile and reliable for everyday use. Two thumbs up.
Lastly, one of the most important makeup steps in my routine is concealer. Finding the perfect concealer with good coverage and no creasing has been a long journey, so I knew I had to get my hands on the popular The Saem Cover Perfection Triple Pot Concealer. This is also a product that has been around for a while and is widely used among makeup artists and professionals in Korea. Despite being at a fairly affordable price point, this concealer contains three different shades for color correcting and customized coverage.
I was a bit lost upon first using this product because I wasn’t used to applying green and coral shades of concealer on my face. But after a couple of Youtube tutorials and research, I was fascinated to see how big of a difference color correcting could make for your base makeup. The green tone is meant to be used for correcting redness or acne, while the coral tone is meant for covering dark circles or any other darker spots on the face. The normal beige color can be used for all other blemishes or dull spots that you want highlighted.
I know a lot of people love this product but unfortunately this was a miss for me. While the color correcting aspect seemed to work well, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the texture and it’s ability to layer with foundation. The product has a super thick and creamy texture, and while this may sit nicely on its own, it tended to look a bit cakey when used with foundation.
Overall, I think this product could be nice if used on its own for light coverage but I don’t think I’d purchase this again.
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