These skincare and makeup must-haves are the best thing since sliced… sushi.
The secret is out: Korean and Japanese cosmetic brands have taken over the beauty world.
Want lashes to rival a Harajuku girl, or skin as fresh and flawless as a K-Pop star?
No need to splash out on a plane ticket to Tokyo or Seoul. We’ve hunted down eight of the best Asian beauty products you can get right here in the UAE.
Read:
8 Beauty Hacks You Need To Know When The Summer Heat Hits
Here Are 5 Smudge-Proof Mascaras That Can Survive A Dubai Summer
Baby Foot
Ok, so it sounds kind of gross – peeling the dead skin from your feet – but if your heels are as hoof-like as ours, this product is a must for your beauty arsenal. Baby Foot consists of two plastic booties, filled with a magical gel. You let your feet marinade for one hour, and within a week, you’ll start shedding skin like a snake, revealing baby-soft soles. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the results are nothing short of miraculous. Available in Spinneys and other hypermarkets across the UAE for Dhs78.
Fiberwig Mascara
Fiberwig is sort of like the Japanese equivalent of Benefit’s They’re Real mascara – apparently a tube is sold in Japan every 20 seconds. Why the hype? Well, the high-tech formula encases every individual lash in a smooth, glossy film, which turns even the most sparse set of lashes into a thick, fluttering fringe. The product is both smudge-proof and flake-proof, but still super easy to remove with warm water. Get it on cultbeauty.co.uk for £18 (Dhs83) before shipping.
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
Yes, we’ve moved on to CC creams, DD creams and even EE creams… but Korea led the alphabetic beauty trend, and this Missha BB cream remains one of the strongest players in the multi-functional makeup game. The product is an all-in-one moisturiser, anti-wrinkle cream, concealer, foundation, and UV protector, which adjusts to your skin tone, offering high but natural-looking coverage. Available on desertcart.ae from Dhs63.
Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
Visit any Nature Republic store in Seoul, and you’ll more than likely see these big green tubs in every shopping basket. This aloe vera gel is a cabinet essential for Korean women, and can be used as a moisturiser, after-sun lotion, or face mask. The light-weight formula is a perfect alternative to body butter in the summer months, keeping the skin healthy and hydrated (pro tip: store in the fridge for an extra refreshing skin treat). Available on thebbcreamgirl.com for Dhs28 before shipping.
Muji Oil Control Blotting Paper
This Japanese emporium of minimalist homeware, stationery and clothing is probably already on your radar, but you might have missed these genius little packs, usually hiding somewhere near the checkout counter. The washi-style papers absorb excess oil and sweat from your skin without disturbing your makeup, which makes them perfect for discreetly swiping away that T-zone shine. Get them from Muji stores, Dhs7 for 100 sheets.
Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Hand Milk
If the adorable packaging isn’t enough to make you swoon, the scent of this Tony Moly hand cream should do it. Your hands will smell as delicious as banana candies, but will be left feeling as silky and nourished as if they’d just absorbed a healthy banana smoothie. The cream is also loaded with additional goodies like shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia oil… good enough to eat. Available from Sephora for Dhs35.
The Face Shop Sheet Masks
Sheet masks have taken the beauty world by absolute storm. Their mess-free design means you can pop one on whenever the mood strikes you, whether that’s during a Netflix binge at home, or if you’re wanting to indulge in some in-flight pampering at 35,000 feet. K-beauty powerhouse The Face Shop has a mask for every occasion and skin type, with a line-up of natural ingredients that range from blueberry and avocado, to kelp and mung bean. Get them from The Face Shop stores, various prices.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
As if you needed more proof that Koreans are masters of the mask, we bring you this metaphorical cool drink for your face, which is supposedly the best-selling overnight mask in the world. The ultra-moisturising mask contains “Sleep-Tox” technology which rejuvenates your skin as you sleep, so you wake up looking like you actually got your full eight hours. Available on thebbcreamgirl.com for Dhs135 before shipping.
Image: Getty
