[FEATURE] 5 Korean Beauty Brands for Filipino Beauty Enthusiasts

With the current rise of Korean pop culture in the Philippines, more and more Filipinos are starting to get interested in Korean beauty brands for what they have to offer. These makeup products and skin care items are now all the rave with beauty enthusiasts hoping that they get the same youthful glow from their favorite K-Drama and K-Pop artists!

But with all these new brands popping up in our malls and online shopping sites, where do we even start? The Seoul Story has compiled five (5) Korean Beauty Brands in the Philippines for all our interested readers! 🙂

Etude House
Established in the Philippines way back in 2009, Etude House has now 45 stores all over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Their stores can be easily spotted with their pink and fairytale-like interior that attract all girls of any age. With their girly and romantic packaging, the brand caters to shoppers—or, princesses, as they fondly call their customers—who are still trying to figure out the whole intricate process of Korean makeup and skin care.

Due to their very distinct style and brand, Etude House has to be elaborate in choosing their ambassadors. The faces of Etude have included big-named stars such as Jun Ji Hyun as their first Etude Girl,  S.E.S., who are famous for their fresh charms, and even Song Hye Kyo in her early career. In the Philippines, f(x)’s Krystal, and former member, Sulli, has graced Philippine branches as Etude Darlings. Most recently, however, Etude House Korea announced that Red Velvet will be the brand’s newest models!

Must-try products: Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam for skin care, and Dear Darling Lip Tints for makeup
Official website: Etude House Philippines

THEFACESHOP
For the eco-savvy and the environmentally aware, THEFACESHOP may just be the ideal beauty brand for you. This brand aims to convey the sustainable life of nature into its products by using natural ingredients and therapies all over the world. From South Korea’s very own Jeju volcanic clay, to Tibetan mushrooms and other natural ingredients like bamboo and chia seeds, THEFACESHOP believes that the virtuous cycle of nature is co-related to the energy we put into skin care and mind care.

THEFACESHOP opened its first branch here in the Philippines way back in 2006 — making them one of the earliest pioneers of Korean beauty here in the country. They now even have a total of 51 branches all over the Philippines! And true enough to their environmental and down-to-earth branding, one of the most remarkable things about THEFACESHOP is that they are also involved in social and economic movements that help society and nature. They are currently implementing the Himango Campaign which is a donation project that aims to plant mango trees in barren areas of Africa, and help the economic status of its local villagers. In support to this campaign, THEFACESHOP launched a Mango Seed Line of products from which the ingredients are bought from the mango trees planted in South Sudan.

Must-try products: Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam for skin care, and Dual Veil Concealer for makeup
Official website: THEFACESHOP International

Tony Moly
Since they first launched in the Philippines back in April 2011, Tony Moly has definitely made their mark in the beauty industry here with almost 26 branches (both boutiques and stalls inside major department stores) all over the country. As described in their website and social networking sites, Tony means nice, trendy and stylish, while Moly pertains to include or box something. With those two together, Tony Moly aims to incorporate stylish trends into their products and packaging.

With their vision to put style in contemporary beauty, Tony Moly targets the modern, independent women who are more accustomed to the urban lifestyle. The brand is very well-known for its chic packaging like the Egg Pore Nose Pack and Panda’s Dream White Magic Cream. Through their trendy makeup and skin care products, they aim to provide radiant, and renewed skin for the chic women of today, or as they call it, Total Skin Revolution.

If you used to pass by their shops, you have definitely caught glimpses of sexy icon HyunA, and 5URPRISE actor, Seo Kang Joon, in their posters and products. Most recently, however, versatile boy group, BTOB, just signed to become Tony Moly ambassadors starting 2018!

Must-try products: My Sunny Milky Sun Cream, for skin care, and Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream, for makeup
Official website: Tony Moly Philippines

Nature Republic
True enough to their name, Nature Republic highlights the utilisation of natural ingredients into the products they market in the beauty industry. These natural ingredients, such the Moroccan Argan, California Aloe Vera, African Shea Butter, Gangwon Deep Seawater, and Indonesian Marine Collagen, are taken from different countries all over the world. Their determination to use these ingredients emphasises the link of Nature Republic to actual naturalism.

Since November 2012 when Nature Republic first came to the Philippines, the brand has solidified their presence in the market with the help of their famous ambassadors, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, and the boys of EXO. Fans of EXO were even delighted when Nature Republic began having life-sized standees of the boys guarding their branches. For a time, limited merchandises were also provided to fans that purchased their products.

As of today, Nature Republic is operating in major malls such as SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, and SM Fairview, and in special kiosks in Trinoma, Landmark Makati, and Wellworth Fairview Terraces.

Must-try products: 92% Soothing Aloe Vera Gel and EXO’s Deep Moisture Collection
Official website: Nature Republic Philippines

THE SAEM
The final brand that made it on our list is a newbie in the Philippine market of Korean beauty brands. It all began with a huge billboard along EDSA of Pledis boy group, SEVENTEEN, endorsing THE SAEM’s Urban Eco Waratah skin care line. With their tagline of Global Eco, THE SAEM also focuses on natural ingredients found through diverse ecology research. As an example, their Urban Eco Waratah skin care line contains extracts from Waratah, a complex plant from Australia that provides extra protection for your skin.

Just this February, THE SAEM launched its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to alert fans and beauty enthusiasts alike about upcoming news and promos. And much to the delight of Filipino Carats, THE SAEM has uploaded videos of SEVENTEEN’s Vernon and Joshua inviting fans to the launching of the brand in the Philippines. They are expected to open 11 branches all over Metro Manila, with more updates to follow in the province of Cebu.

Official THE SAEM PH social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

**

And there you have it with some of the most prominent Korean beauty brands currently here in the Philippines! With the rise of more makeup and skin care trends from South Korea, which brands and products are your favorites? Comment down below and share with us your tips and reviews!

*This article is not a paid post and is strictly based on the writer’s personal preferences.

Written by: Lisa & Yaine
Photo Credit: Official photos from the brands

–

PATRONISE US: http://www.theseoulstory.com/
TWEET US: http://www.twitter.com/theseoulstory
‘LIKE’ US: http://www.facebook.com/theseoulstorydotcom
WATCH US: http://www.youtube.com/c/theseoulsto