Reviewing A Few Popular K-Beauty Products


Anyone who's been reading this blog for awhile knows that I'm a big fan of Korean beauty products for their innovation. Both my skincare and makeup routines happen to consist of more than a few K-beauty finds and I'm always looking to discovering more brands and products. When BB Cosmetic asked me to pick out some products to try out recently, I took the opportunity to select a few popular K-beauty bestsellers to see for myself if they were worth the hype. So I chose the VDL Lumilayer Primer a cult favorite which has been compared to MAC Strobe cream, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White a reformulated version of a best selling cushion and a Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint which seem to be popping up in editorials everywhere!  If BB Cosmetic sounds familiar, they were the ones who turned me onto skincare from MakeRemake and Yadah



BB Cosmetic is an online beauty shop based in South Korea that sells a wide range of competitively priced popular Korean cosmetics and Korean skin care products through their own online shop as well as through their Amazon storefront. BB Cosmetic offers free international shipping along with free samples with each order and a 30 day money back guaranteed return policy. Their prices are competitive and they have a US based facility that ships items quickly through the USPS with tracking. I also want to mention that their packages are always packed very well and if you ever need to communicate with customer service, I've found them to be both helpful and responsive. The accessibility of K-beauty products has sure come a long way.

VDL Lumilayer Primer,

VDL Lumilayer Primer

VDL stands for Violet Dream Luminous and this primer features a Violet Lumilayer Pigment that combines skin-brightening red and blue lights which evens out skintone while defining and contouring the face for an illuminating effect that highlights your features. This product also works to reflect light from all angles of your face to create a striking 3D effect. 

Packaging: A substantial opalescent glass bottle with a metallic pump dispenser.

Price: $21 for 30ml


My Impressions: This primer which has been compared to the MAC Strobe Cream has a pearly appearance, light soapy floral scent typical in alot of K-beauty products and a lightweight texture with an emulsion like feel (think light lotion). Just one pump is enough to cover my entire face. Upon application, my skin appears smoothed and hydrated. The finish is definitely radiant and the violet effect of the Lumilayer Pigment immediately gives the skin a visibly brightened appearance. You can apply it on your face before the base product of your choice your base or you can mix a 1:1 ratio of the primer and your base together for a more luminous look. This primer can also work as a highlighter.  What I noticed right away is that it doesn't feel heavy, cakey or greasy which is the reason I avoid primers most of the time. This primer has a nice hydrating effect and imparts a luminous glow without any sparkle or glitter. And I feel like it works to keep whatever I apply over it from oxidizing too quickly as well. in general it keeps my makeup in place and looking fresh throughout the day. I think this product would probably work better for dry to normal skin types. As for how the VDL Lumilayer Primer compares to MAC Strobe Cream which I have actually tried, I find it provides more radiance and hydration than the Strobe Cream which caked up and also broke me out, two issues I didn't have with this and it's also less expensive. If you're interested in how this primer looks on my face, I'm wearing it in this review post.

April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion Review, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White SPF50 PA+++ 15g

April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White

This is a more moisturizing version of the bestselling April Skin Magic Snow Cushion, a high coverage, long lasting cushion compact with SPF50+ PA+++.  It is formulated with an EWG safe base of 60% Iceland Iceland Glacial mineral water, niacinamide, propolis extract, honey,  Jeju aloe vera leaf, acai, Indian gooseberry and blueberry extracts. This product is an intersection of makeup and skincare whereby the continuous usage will help to brighten skin tone as well as improve skin quality. Available in 3 shades: 21 Light Beige, 22 Pink Beige and 23 Natural Beige.

April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion Review, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White SPF50 PA+++ 15g

Packaging: A pearlescent white plastic, single use, non-refillable cushion compact with a ruby cell puff applicator.  It is the same depth as my refillable cushions but the size is about 10% larger in diameter.

Price: $14.31

April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion Review, April Skin Magic Snow Cushion White SPF50 PA+++ 15g

My Impressions: This is a medium coverage product which can be built up for full coverage. It has a faint floral scent that pretty much disappears after application. I'm generally shade #23 in Asian cushion compacts but they're not created equal. This one has a warm yellow tone that is a good match for my skin and even better, it doesn't oxidize and turn grey like some others with wear.  The coverage is almost a little too heavy for my liking but it can be sheered down. This is one that I can skip the concealer with when I use. I like how it brightens and evens out my skintone and the coverage feels hydrating at the same time. A few of my cushions have been clinging to dry patches on my face during the winter months and that was not an issue with this one. My skin just loves it. I can see why the April Skin Magic Snow Cushion is so popular because this cushion not only has a lovely natural looking finish but it also keeps skin comfortable, moisturized and protected with a high sun protection factor. I get a good 8+ hours of wear wearing it alone and it also pairs well with the VDL Lumilayer Primer for a chok chok (dewy skin) appearance. I didn't experience any reactions or breakouts while testing this product and  I think it may just have displaced the Hera UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture as my favorite cushion. I hope that the brand will come out with a refillable version. 

Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint, Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint Review, Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint Rose Coral Review

Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint

A long water based lip tint formulated with premium French wine extracts which contribute long lasting moisture and deep pigment. Lips are perfectly conditioned and hydrated without any stickiness. Available in six shades: RD01 Shiraz Red, RD02 Nebbiolo Red, RD03 Merlot Burgundy, OR01 Chardonnay Orange, CR01 Rose Coral, PK01 Blush Pink.  

Packaging: A mini wine bottle. The top screws off and there is a doe foot applicator.

Price: $9.98

Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint, Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint Review, Labiotte Chateau Wine Lip Tint Rose Coral Review

My Impressions: I was curious to try this lip tint because I've just been seeing them all over the place and the packaging is super cute even though I don't happen to be a wine drinker. This is the type of product that works best on lips that have been properly prepped i.e. exfoliated, conditioned and hydrated. Since it's water based, not surprisingly this stain has a watery and cool feel upon application. It doesn't exactly smell like wine, I'd say the scent is more fruity like grapes probably and it's a little strong for my preference. While it is fairly easy to apply, I found it quite difficult to get on evenly. I got this in the Rose Coral and while the pigmentation of this shade wasn't that great, the color isn't all that scary once it's on my lips since it goes on sheer. It has a shiny finish initially which quickly dries down and it feels drying as well so you will have to layer balm on top. This lip stain does have pretty decent staying power and will last for hours without any transfer. It will fade abit after a meal but mostly in the center so it gives off that ombre lip look if you're into it. I don't happen to be. This product can be a little hard to remove. I actually had to rub at it when using my Bioderma Sensibio H2O to get it off and it doesn't come off that easily with an oil cleanser either. I wanted to like this but it's just too tricky to apply, doesn't wear that comfortably unless you're constantly reapplying lip balm over it and takes way too much effort to remove completely.

All of these products are available for sale from BB Cosmetic. Use code JQR5ZSP42 for 8% off your purchase. You can click on the names for links to purchase. BB does offer free international shipping!

Have you tried any of these? What do you think of these products? Is there one you'd be interested to try?

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by BB Cosmetics and features products received for review. All words and opinions are my own. There may be affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to the Policies page of this blog.

30 comments

Anonymous said...

Been wondering about that Wine Lip Tint ever since I first spotted it online! The bottle design just sticks with you, right?? Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

Doctor Anne said...

Out of the three I am most intereted in the cushion, simply because I really want one, but most of them are too dewy for my taste. But the wine bottle packaging sure is unique!

Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

Beauty Unearthly said...

This is such an interesting topic, thanks for sharing these products :)
xx

Diva In Me said...

I haven't tried any of them and haven't heard of this brand actually. In fact, the only Korean brand I'm using is Sulwhasoo. I love the Overnight Mask. Seems like you're definitely a K-brand expert! =D Great detailed review here..

Jackie Harrison said...

This product sounds promising I never heard of it before thanks for the great review very helpful.

Lilli said...

That wine lip tint is onto my wishlist from ages as soon as I spotted it on the web but now Im kinda disappointed reading ur experience and the tricky application! Still loving the packaging though! Happy Monday dear Rowena! xo

Emmylou said...

Really got to check out this site, Rowena. Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the free international shipping! I'm so curious about that cushion. And you know, I almost ordered that wine lip tint the first time I saw it on YouTube coz this beauty blogger I love was raving about it! I'm kinda glad I didn't though coz I have super dry lips esp in winter. Sigh....:(
Anyhoo, here's to a great week ahead, my friend:)

Ivana Split said...

I'm always hearing great things about Korean Beauty products. A lot of girls from Croatia are ordering K-beauty products and they always praise it. It is one of the benefits of Internet, we can discover great skin care brands more easily these days.

This VLD primer sounds perfect! It is lovely that it may also be used as a high light. I like that you compared it with another product (I didn't tried that MAC one) that also gives un additional info about this product.

April Skin Magic White sounds like an interesting product too. It is good that it provides good coverage..and even better that a little goes a long way. Good to hear your skin loves it.

This lip tint has a lovely shade but honestly I'm not a fan of products that are hard to apply. I prefer a nice lip pencil and lipstick. Lip glosses and lip tins seem to need a steady hand- and I just don't want to worry about that watery texture getting spilled over the line of the lips or something like that.

Paola Lauretano said...

The lip tint is amazing!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself

Unknown said...

I also received the VDL primer from them and am wearing it for the first time today! So far I'm liking it :) I've been curious about the MAC strobe cream, yours is the first negative review I've heard on it :( But either way I'm glad to hear that this one is better plus more affordable ;) The labiotte lip tints have been really tempting me but it's a bit scary to hear that they're so difficult to remove lol. At least the packaging is super cute :)

Mili | Sharmtoaster

Oh to Be a Muse said...

Too bad the lip tint was so tough to apply. I was really interested in it because of the cute wine bottle look.

www.ohtobeamuse.com

Lenya said...

The primer sounds interesting, I would love to try this one. Wishing you a great start into a happy new week, Rowena.
xox
Lenya
New update: Don Quixote

Gingi said...

Whoa, those macro skin shots are intense!!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Valerie said...

This is such a great beauty review! I think that lip tint packaging is so cute, but I definitely am interested in trying out the cushion. Thanks for sharing!

http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com

Shireen L. Platt said...

I just checked the website and saw there's only 3 shades for the April Skin Magic cushion and all three look way too light for my skin tone. :-( However I checked their sale page and saw they carry the extremely popular Skin79 BB cream that I have been dying to try. Have you tried it before, Rowena?

Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

Corinne said...

I'm a bit sad to hear that the wine lip tint wasn't great! It's always annoying when you can't get products off. The packaging is lovely though.

Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com

Unknown said...


Great review! The primer looks perfect for my bestie :)
XOXO
Mary | www.evolvewithmary.com

Coco said...

I need to try the VDL primer! And that lip tint is spectacular!!! Thank you for another amazing review and for suggesting BB website! Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

ALLIE NYC said...

Everything in this round up sounds excellent but in particular the primer sounds really good. Do you think it is good for more ruddy skin? I think the lavender color is supposed to be good for all skin tones, but this sounds like something I would like to try.

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

Hena Tayeb said...

some cool products. thanks for sharing

Lena L said...

I've heard many good things about the VDL primer, and now having read your opinions I'd be definitely interested in trying it for myself. I don't think I've spotted anything with pale purple undertones like this one, especially not from the shimmery range. Sorry to hear that the lip tint isn't your thing. The packaging is so adorable, though!

SHON said...

Great post. Thanks!

Midnight Cowgirl said...

Love the packaging for the wine lip tint! Too bad the lip tint is drying.

little luxury list said...

It's a shame the wine lip tint didn't work out too well because the packaging is SO fun! The VDL primer sounds great, especially for dry weather. I'd try it!

bellodiesseredonna said...

il pack prodotto labbra strepitoso

BABALUCCIA said...

I'm think the lipstick is a great shadows
A big hug

FASHION TALES said...

The VDL lumilayer primer sounds interesting to me and I would try that out of all of these, because I have the MAC strobe cream and didn't like the way it looked on me compared to similar products so I used it on my legs instead. :) Thanks for sharing about these products, Rowena!

Margaret Dallospedale said...

Very interesting products. I have to try the cushion foundation.
kisses
Maggie Dallospedale
Indiansavage.com

Jane said...

I've been wanting to try the cushions for a while but then decided against it and bought a mineral based foundation instead. Piqued my interest again though ;)

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Rowena, I had a sample of that MAC Strobe Cream mess and threw it away! So glad this primer worked for you and it looks really good with that foundation cushion. I've been wanting to try that wine tint. The packaging is super cute! It sounds more like a STAIN since you have to remove it with Sensibio. That's crazy!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/