The Best Skin: Korean Skincare with Style Story
Words by Matt Huxley
Unless you’ve been living under an Uluru-sized skincare rock, you will know about the amazing products that Korean beauty brands have been bringing out. Pioneers and innovators in the skincare world, Korean brands are responsible for some of the beauty innovations that we now take for granted (cushion foundation, peel exfoliators, essence lotions anyone?).
I first stumbled across Korean skincare a few years ago when it blew up across the youtube skincare world. Then a fortuitously-timed trip to India meant that I could pick up some basics in the asian airport boutiques (I think there’s a sneaky haul vid on the internet somewhere). But after that I had no idea how to explore more of this world.
Well now Aussie skincare enthusiasts (aka me) can get their Korean beauty fix with Style Story. Founded in 2013, this entrepreneurial brand lets you pick and choose the products most suited for your skin, for your own skincare style story.
I tested out a few of Style Story’s most popular products and have provided my observations below for you.
Benton Fermentation Essence: I mean firstly isn’t this the most perfectly minimal packaging ever? This brightening essence has a high concentration of Galctomyces Ferment Filtrate – basically a type of yeast. This works to really even out tone and texture and brighten up the skin. An essence is an uber light lotion that sinks immediately into the skin, sinks to a very low level in the skin and really works at the dermal level. Definitely a fan of this product, it’s great for lots of light layers to build up that hydration. Plus it’s at an affordable price point so I definitely see this bad boy being a regular in my skincare cupboard.
Vlancvere Power VC15 Ample: FYI ample means serum. This Vitamin C serum has 15% strength – the best amount for your skin to reduce irritation and provide the brightening benefits that Vit C is known for. The consistency for me is a cross between an essence and an oil. Meaning that it sinks in quickly but there’s a slight tackiness with it (totally fine for me!). The other key ingredient in this bad boy is Ferulic Acid. This helps to really reduce any melanin in the skin (the pigment that causes dark spots). Meaning that anyone with blotchy or pigmented skin can use this to assist in decreasing them. Serums are really like the middle child of skincare; always there, but never truly appreciated. Serums are actually the powerhouses of your regime, and the ones that will have the greatest affect on you. So invest wisely and do your research. If you need brightening, this one is for you!
Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream: Oh. My. God. I can’t even physically deal at how much I love this product. I am shook officially. Containing 92% snail mucin (the mucous that repairs a snail’s skin as it crawls) this bad boy really works to rehydrate, refine and protect the skin. Encouraging cell turnover is always a good thing as it enables the collagen production of the skin to increase (hence meaning that your skin looks young and fresh), and this bad boy does this. I woke up looking like a baby’s butt. Shook I tell you.
Simply When Snow Song Mask + Leaders Insolution Melatox Skin Mask: I must confess, whilst I enjoy sheet masks, I’ve never really made the time to integrate them (or any mask for that matter) into my routine. I am unfortunately one of those people with whom they just slide straight off unless I’m horizontal so I always make the too busy excuse. Testing these out gave me a perfect opportunity to stop all that Master’s work and really take 10-15 mins out to really rehydrate my skin after spending all day in the library air con. Both were highly enjoyable and certainly revitalised my skin. Definitely recommend picking a few up to force yourself to take a breather!
Make sure you pick up some of the amazing products at Style Story here.
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