Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
Recently, I was approached by the owner of a fairly new online Asian beauty boutique called Glowie Co to check out their offering of authentic Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese skincare and makeup products. Shipped directly from California (free US shipping on orders $25+), Glowie Co makes it easy to shop your favorite Asian beauty products. To see what skincare items I picked up from the online store, click......
Labo Labo | Super-Keana Lotion (US$15.99 for 100 ml):
From Japanese skincare brand Labo Labo, the Super-Keana ("Keana" means "pores" in Japanese) is a fragrance-free, alcohol-free toner formulated with AHAs (lactic acid and malic acid) in addition to a plethora of botanic extracts. With a mild, natural scent, the formulation is quite cooling and refreshing. As the exfoliating AHAs are low on the ingredient list, the toner isn't at all stingy or irritating. I've used lots of AHAs toners in the past so I don't find this one super special but I would still recommend it to those looking for a gentle exfoliating toner.
Ingredients: Water, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Multiflora (Japanese Rose) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Leaf, Rosa Canina (Dog Rose) Fruit Oil, Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress) Sprout Extract, Hakka Yu, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Malic Acid, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthoxypropandiol, Lactic Acid, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sebacic Acid, PEG-50 Glyceryl Isostearate, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sodium Citrated, 1, 10-Decanediol, Soluble Collagen, PEG-30 Glyceryl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol.
COSRX | Centella Blemish Cream (US$21 for 30 g):
Having tried a few really great products from COSRX, I was very excited about the Centella Blemish Cream. Capitalizing on the hottest ingredient in Korean skincare at the moment (i.e. Centella Asiatica, aka Cica), this is a spot treatment designed to manage breakouts and acne scars. With 50.7% Cica water and 7% zinc oxide, the cream reduces redness and irritation. The formulation is lightweight and non-greasy but it does have a pasty quality that leaves behind a slight white cast. Therefore, I don't think it's appropriate for day time use. Additionally, depending on how thick you layer the cream, the formulation does flake off a bit once it's completely dried in the morning time. In terms of effectiveness, the COSRX Centella Blemish Cream definitely refines and calms the complexion but I don't think it's potent enough for treating serious breakouts (I recommend sticking to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide). However, if you have sensitive skin that's prone to redness and irritation, especially in the wintertime, this could work as an all-over treatment.
Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Viola Tricolor Extract, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Zinc PCA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
LoveMore | Loofah & Aloe Vera Hydrating Sheet Mask (US$15.50 for 5 or US$3.25 each):
I'm not a huge sheet mask fanatic but there's no way of making a Glowie Co order without trying something from their sheet mask lineup. LoveMore is a Taiwanese skincare brand and its bestselling Loofah & Aloe Vera Hydrating Sheet Mask is rich in vitamin C and E. With added hyaluronic acid, the 100% silk masks are super soothing and hydrating. There's no stinging or irritation and the mask doesn't leave behind any sticky residue. This is definitely a recommendation from me!
Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Glycerine, Seawater, Xanthan Gum, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Glycosyl, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolyzate, Luffa Cylindrica (Loofah) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Hyaluronic Acid, Oligomer, Fragrance, Water.
Glowie Co | Bunny Ear Headband (US$7):
Although not a skincare or makeup item, this headband may just be the favorite part of my Glowie Co order. Made with soft and fluffy cotton terrycloth, this headband is comfortable and stays in place during cleansing, masking, and makeup application. The best part, though, is the adorable bunny ears that can be adjusted so you can get the perfect masking selfie!
Availability:
Glowie Co is an online boutique offering a selection of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean skincare and makeup. Glowie Co ships internationally and shipping is free within US for orders $25+.
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| Glowie Co | Labo Labo Super-Keana Lotion & CosRX Centella Blemish Cream |
From Japanese skincare brand Labo Labo, the Super-Keana ("Keana" means "pores" in Japanese) is a fragrance-free, alcohol-free toner formulated with AHAs (lactic acid and malic acid) in addition to a plethora of botanic extracts. With a mild, natural scent, the formulation is quite cooling and refreshing. As the exfoliating AHAs are low on the ingredient list, the toner isn't at all stingy or irritating. I've used lots of AHAs toners in the past so I don't find this one super special but I would still recommend it to those looking for a gentle exfoliating toner.
Ingredients: Water, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Multiflora (Japanese Rose) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Leaf, Rosa Canina (Dog Rose) Fruit Oil, Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress) Sprout Extract, Hakka Yu, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Malic Acid, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthoxypropandiol, Lactic Acid, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sebacic Acid, PEG-50 Glyceryl Isostearate, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sodium Citrated, 1, 10-Decanediol, Soluble Collagen, PEG-30 Glyceryl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol.
COSRX | Centella Blemish Cream (US$21 for 30 g):
Having tried a few really great products from COSRX, I was very excited about the Centella Blemish Cream. Capitalizing on the hottest ingredient in Korean skincare at the moment (i.e. Centella Asiatica, aka Cica), this is a spot treatment designed to manage breakouts and acne scars. With 50.7% Cica water and 7% zinc oxide, the cream reduces redness and irritation. The formulation is lightweight and non-greasy but it does have a pasty quality that leaves behind a slight white cast. Therefore, I don't think it's appropriate for day time use. Additionally, depending on how thick you layer the cream, the formulation does flake off a bit once it's completely dried in the morning time. In terms of effectiveness, the COSRX Centella Blemish Cream definitely refines and calms the complexion but I don't think it's potent enough for treating serious breakouts (I recommend sticking to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide). However, if you have sensitive skin that's prone to redness and irritation, especially in the wintertime, this could work as an all-over treatment.
Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Viola Tricolor Extract, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Zinc PCA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
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| Glowie Co | Bunny Ear Headband & LoveMore Loofah & Aloe Vera Hydrating Sheet Mask |
I'm not a huge sheet mask fanatic but there's no way of making a Glowie Co order without trying something from their sheet mask lineup. LoveMore is a Taiwanese skincare brand and its bestselling Loofah & Aloe Vera Hydrating Sheet Mask is rich in vitamin C and E. With added hyaluronic acid, the 100% silk masks are super soothing and hydrating. There's no stinging or irritation and the mask doesn't leave behind any sticky residue. This is definitely a recommendation from me!
Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Glycerine, Seawater, Xanthan Gum, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Glycosyl, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolyzate, Luffa Cylindrica (Loofah) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Hyaluronic Acid, Oligomer, Fragrance, Water.
Glowie Co | Bunny Ear Headband (US$7):
Although not a skincare or makeup item, this headband may just be the favorite part of my Glowie Co order. Made with soft and fluffy cotton terrycloth, this headband is comfortable and stays in place during cleansing, masking, and makeup application. The best part, though, is the adorable bunny ears that can be adjusted so you can get the perfect masking selfie!
Availability:
Glowie Co is an online boutique offering a selection of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean skincare and makeup. Glowie Co ships internationally and shipping is free within US for orders $25+.
