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My Top Korean Beauty Blogs and Instagrams (and more) + the Lipstick League

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I Bought It Affiliate Links

I have to be real: skincare routines and favorite lists make me so nervous! They’re these big declarations of liking stuff, and it’s sorta dangerous to say you like something, right? For example, I once said that I loved a conditioner only for it to be reformulated into watered down trash with no warning — but I didn’t know that and a bunch of readers picked up tubes on my recommendation and now they have sub-dollar-store conditioner that I recommended. That smells like chlorine and leaves hair tangled. Total nightmare.

That said, I’m willing to risk it because I think there’s a thirst for ideas and opinions on beauty from regular people who aren’t in the business of selling you something. So much of what we read in mainstream magazines and on big beauty sites feels like regurgitated press releases, ripped off Reddit threads, and paid posts (minus the required US FTC disclosure that it’s paid #sideeye). It’s basically advertising without the visual and textual cues that it’s advertising. Sure, there’s good info mixed in, but I don’t want to spend my life squinting at articles to try to figure out the ulterior motive.

I want to hear what smart, passionate people who use a lot of products think about stuff I might want to buy. I suspect that I’m not alone in that, so I’m cracking open my personal playbook to share my favorite blogs and Instagrams. I’ve resisted writing this list for a long time because I didn’t want to inadvertently hurt feelings or screw up and forget someone I adore, but I think that holding this info back is doing a disservice to my readers. You deserve to know where I get the best intel.

My Top Korean Beauty Blogs and Instagrams

Here’s what attracts me to my favorite accounts:

  • I trust this person to tell me what they think about products, shops, and ideas. We don’t have to agree, but I trust that they’re going to use their influence on me in positive ways and lead me to the best stuff, warn me from buying the worst, and keep me informed about what’s happening in beauty.
  • The blog or IG account has a strong editorial vision. It doesn’t feel like someone is just reviewing random stuff that they bought without even being interested in it or accepting and reviewing every press sample ever offered to them. Ideally, there’s some sort of theme to the blog or journey that they’re on that informs what they post. That sounds rather complex, but it really boils down to just being a person who likes beauty products.
  • Proper disclosure of affiliate links, press samples, and paid posts according to the laws of their country. None of those things bother me as long as they reflect the strong editorial vision that attracted me to the blog and are disclosed according to the laws of the blogger’s country. Laws vary wildly and I’d prefer to see some sort of disclosure no matter what, but I can’t expect people outside the US to follow FTC disclosure laws lol.
  • Something about it delights me. I don’t need every account to be my everything, but I find that I like accounts that have either good photos, good info, good writing or some combination of all three.
  • Low drama/stress. I’m dramatic enough for a whole theater troupe, so I’m looking for chill blogs/accounts.

My Top Korean Beauty Blogs and Instagrams

Friends I talk to A LOT

I’m hopelessly biased when it comes to friends. I have a kbeauty  podcast with Cat, Chel, and Fiddy called the Snailcast, so check that out if you’re into NC-17 discussions about skincare.

Independent bloggers that deserve a follow

I use the term “independent blogger” here to note that these blogs were created by skincare fans; their blogs were not created by shops or brands to market products. I think that’s an important distinction since independent blogs tend to be vastly more compliant with FTC regulations regarding disclosure (if they’re in the US) and they obviously aren’t trying to get you to buy products…that…they…don’t stock. Since they’re just blogs. Aside from Korean-language news sources, I only have independent blogs on this list.

Kbeauty blogging greats you probably already love and follow

  • Coco at the Beauty Wolf: the very first kbeauty blogger I ever followed (!!!), aesthetician and makeup artist, originator of the amazing Beauty Wolf visual style.
  • Kerry at Skin & Tonics: the gold standard kbeauty blogger, she hasn’t posed in some time but her reviews are evergreen, seriously I’m not over the S&T hiatus.
  • Sheryll at the Wanderlust Project: seriously, if Sheryll reviews something and says she likes it, I will buy it without fail, I’m weak — and I never regret it.

English-language independent Asian Beauty new release and news blogs

Korean-language beauty news sources

  • @allurekorea: their feed is probably sponsored as hell, but I find the photos and videos of new releases really interesting and timely.
  • beauty+ on facebook: also probably sponsored, their website is a bit tricky to navigate, but the facebook posts make it easier to get to interesting stories about products. I’m a fan of their product roundups, which tend to mix Korean and Western products together and have nice photos.
  • Cosmetic Mania News: this site seems to have all the latest news on the Korean cosmetics industry along with new release and collaboration info.

Amazing Instagrams

Lots of these IG users also have blogs, so I wasn’t sure where to list them. Ultimately I decided to put them where I encounter their work most (which usually means Instagram).

  • @abheartts: sheet masks, hauls, and skincare routine photos (plus adorable kids) from Australia.
  • @beauty_unplugged: beautiful skincare routine photos and regular product reviews.
  • @beautybangbang_: amazing taste in luxury products — very enabling!
  • @cecibeautytherapy: the funnest, nicest blogger in NYC (hahahaha I also live here) with a fabulous guide to Chinatown beauty shops and awesome reviews.
  • @dameebaby: Korea-based, tons of swatches, extremely focused on Western and Asian beauty.
  • @damsluv: Korea-based makeup IG account that often posts new kbeauty releases.
  • @fuckyeahkoreancosmetics: Korea-based Australian, super funny and welcoming, consistent kbeauty IGer.
  • @gracefulfaceblog: colorful photos in lots of different styles with product reviews.
  • @hiddenharmonyworld: gorgeous skincare and makeup photos, each post feels very fresh.
  • @honeynlacquer: really clean, pleasing photos with product mini-reviews.
  • @jolenecyl: Singapore-based IGer killing us with makeup and food porn.
  • @kbeautysavedmyskin: fun, interactive IGer with sheet mask reviews and cute, colorful photos.
  • @labellevie245: photos of beauty from around the world and #WhooPorn (History of Whoo packaging shots).
  • @littlebitofglow: brightly lit photos and a bright, friendly voice — her posts are very soothing to me.
  • @mapletreeblog: consistent posts and mini reviews, an Asian Beauty community organizer: follow to hook up with IG skincare challenges.
  • @maskaddict: super consistent and detailed mask reviews and very welcoming IGer.
  • @ruhimaach: awesome skincare reviews, routines, and thoughts from a busy professional interested in luxury and cruelty-free skincare.
  • @skinfullofseoul: Seoul-based UK blogger going on all sorts of kbeauty adventures and posting looks/reviews/product info. I really look forward to seeing what she’s up to.
  • @somevely: Korea-based, a mix of swatches, selcas, and life photos.
  • @syloft: Singapore-based, makeup releases and events, her Stories are the most interesting I’ve ever seen.
  • @yourskinwithin: super nice kbeauty and natural beauty IGer with really interesting, diverse posts.

Bonus Round!

Longtime Western bloggers who always make me drop the $$$

  • Nouveau Cheap: even before I knew G, she alwayyssssss was leading me into beauty temptation and pointing out the best deals that helped me snag a lot of gorgeous products cheaply.
  • Temptalia: seriously rigorous reviews with incredible standardized swatches that allow for comparison across brands and products. The gold standard for beauty blogs.

The box bloggers who keep it real

  • Bits and Boxes: I’ve known B&B since way back and I always hit up her blog before subscribing to a new box to check what she thinks; she has no problem dropping the hammer on trash, but she’s also very fair.
  • Unboxing Beauty: super detailed box and kbeauty reviews with loads of photos, variety, ingredients, and visuals.

 

Did I miss your fav? Tell me in the comments — I probably just don’t know them yet!

 

The Lipstick League – week of 2.20.17

The Lipstick League is a group of established Western beauty bloggers and I’m soooo excited to have been asked to join them last year. We post a roundup of links each week; see back posts in the Lipstick League category.

Question of the Week: Quick! What were the last shampoo and conditioner purchases you made, and how are they working for you?

Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Shampoo and Conditioner (a set), which I’m OBSESSED WITH. They’re amazing for my grouchy scalp and tone my brassy blonde hair. I think the shampoo is the standout, totally worth the $$$.

Nouveau Cheap – A tale of corporate acquisitions, blooming orange blossoms, and Fruit Loops. (Otherwise known as my review of the delightful, budget-friendly Couvent des Minimes Botanical Cologne of Love.)

Phyrra – I have a rant to share – How Brands Should Make Foundation! I give constructive feedback on what we need to see in 2017.

Prime Beauty – has all the deets on the newly launched products in the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line!

we heart this – discovered a household cleaning tool that will help with something you probably need to do right at this minute: clean your makeup brushes!

Beautygeeks – has the scoop on Le Petit Marseillais, a much-loved French body care brand that’s just now showing up in North American drugstores. You’ll want to check it out, trust.

Blushing Noir – One of the best luxury lip pencil lines has expanded with 10 new colors! Learn more about the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils & see swatches here!

Clumps of Mascara – A skincare shop that also doubles as a therapy saloon? Say what?

EauMG – I’ve put together a list of refreshing perfumes that I think perfectly “match” Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery.

fanserviced-b – Ever wonder which products Asian Beauty fans really buy most? Here’s my roundup of the top 20 Korean and Japanese beauty products on Amazon.

Gouldylox – Ever walk into a store, asking for something magical and actually get it? If you have dry, damaged or frizzy hair, this is everything.

My Beauty Bunny – Have you heard of Enchanted Polish? I’m loving this indie nail polish brand and their fun holographic shades!

(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

Nouveau Cheap is Currently Craving: Cetaphil has a new fragrance-free, bi-phase Gentle Makeup Remover that I can’t stop thinking about. I’m loving that it contains aloe vera, cucumber extract, and green tea.

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking those links before you shop means that fan-b receives a small commission, which helps to support the blog. Please see my full disclosure for more information.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Omg thanks for the mention! You’ve made my entire week, Tracy! I creep your blog and IG (as well as the rest of the snailcast) on a daily basis! Which sounds so much more creepy than it is.

  3. Oh Tracy thank you so much for the shoutout!! We go back a long way (that huge memebox thread!!lol) and I think of you as my enabler!

  4. Great post, thank you! I have a question: have you ever done a post on how you store all your skincare makeup etc etc.? I love the photo at the top of this post and am so intrigued by the little pink locker, and the peek into your storage system! I am always so curious about how skin/beauty bloggers store all their products, and would love to see a post like that, but also get if it’s too personal, too much work, or whatever. You have such a great blog!

    • If you check out the snailcast via Google, you can listen to all their episodes. Here are those that I can think of where they talk a bit about stash organization:

      Episode 22 -Stash intervention & seasonal skincare
      Episode 18 – Stash organization

      Tracy also has a blog post (I think) about this really beautiful cabinet she bought and put together to store things, and I’m pretty sure she was also the one who started using like, little spice cabinet “risers” to store her beauty/makeup stash, and it looked really nice! you’ll be able to find these things on her IG as well.

      sincerely, not a creeper at all

  5. I follow so many people on this list, but one who I love and didn’t see in this post is Gothamista. I love her YouTube channel!

  6. Thank you so much for mentioning me, Tracy! I followed your blog a long time ago and you were one of the first people who welcomed me to r/asianbeauty! Haha yes I have a lot of different photo styles on my IG, I’ve thought about having a more cohesive style but I just get bored too quickly. Variety is the spice of life :).

  8. Fabulous post! I have to put in another plug for UNBOXING BEAUTY; she does an incredible amount of research, thus she is always my go to source for ingredients for K Beauty products 🙂 🙂 🙂

  10. Hi Tracy! Your snark, frankness, and d*** jokes are inspirational. Thanks so much for including us cat ladies and for introducing us to many meowr blogs and IGs. I think I knew like 80% of the beauty addicts in your post, but now I’m off to check out the ones I didn’t know. –Angela

  12. I needed this so much! since the fall of XO Vain I’ve been wandering aimlessly through the internet. Will check most of them!

  13. I really appreciate this blog post. Fan-B is my first K-Beauty blog, and I love how different each of the other Snail Cast blogs are, and I am gonna love exploring all of these new (to me) blogs, too. 🙂

  14. What is that thing holding up your iPad in the pic above? I think I need one… (I’m the last one to hear about anything remotely related to tech)

  15. Thanks Tracy! To think that my my first encounter with your blog was when I heard there was a Tony Moly store that opened in K-town and your store visit came up in my google search! I’m so happy to contribute content that others can now find and learn from too!

  17. Thanks for the shoutout, Tracy! We all know you’re the Queen of Keeping-It-Real… Remember that Memebox Blogger’s Picks box?! I’m cracking up just thinking about it!

    • hahahahahaha those were the worst of times and the worst of times, good old Memebox. I miss it. ahahahahaha Always happy to show people to B&B–you’ve enabled my best box decisions!

  18. I would add http://www.hope-inablog.com. She was one of the 1st to start about k beauty before everyone did,or even before they became famous, educating people about the Korean routine, brands. She even has a section where u could find ingredient list of korean products as it was hard to find them in English at that time. Unfortunately, most of her content got recycled by the other k beauty blogs that came up later. But she was definitely the 1st generation of k bloggers who inspired many other k beauty bloggers. Pity, But she stopped updating for a few years and recently active on Instagram. I used to go on her blog everyday and feel that no blog has been able to top what she has done.

    • Oh yeah, I love his blog! (I think Hope in a Blog said he’s male iirc.) It ceased regular production before I came on the scene, but it’s still a great resource. I def follow the gram now, although I think it’s mostly Western products? I’d kill for a return tbh–although I totally see why an early AB blogger would want no part of the exploitation.