.:: korean beauty brands ::.
TFS is probably one of the biggest selling Korean brands here in Indonesia. First opened in Indonesia in 2004, with all-natural theme, bright and white-decorated stores, and Kwong Sang Woo (a male!) as a model, it soon attracted lots of young women, including myself. As you may have already known, I had once suffered a TFS-addiction. Fortunately, the storm has passed. Although I’m still interested in some of their products, I can now proudly say I’m not an recovering addict :D
And now, 4 years after their first store here, TFS has gained an even bigger attention from our people. This can be seen from the numerous stores in most malls. TFS has also made a transition to an earthy store design, and most important, has raised their price in quite a significant amount 
I think it’s been around for about one-and-a-half to two years, and now they have three stores, one at eX, one at Senci, and the latest one at TA. They share the same theme in all of their stores, white brick wall and all, all to strengthen the image of the natural products they offer. One turn-off is the plastic bag. IMO, they would better impress people with paper or recycled paper bag, considering that they carry natural theme.
You can take a guess what kind of products they offer. Yes, it’s yet another make up and skin care store, targeted young women, with their cute packaging and delicious-looking products. They have unique food-themed lines, like apple, tomato, or peach sake lines, cheese mask, rice mask, coffee body scrub, cappuccino scrub wash, chocolate hand balm, lemon foundation. You name it! They have all the tasty names. The cupid logo also makes a great addition to their lovely packaging. Undeniably, these cute names and packaging are the main wow factor of the products. Not that they don’t provide great quality. In fact, they have pretty great masks, based on my experience, and others’ testimonials. And, they have really cute ads too..
Etude is maybe the first Korean brand that landed here. Not quite sure about the fact, but I think it’s been here before TFS or other Korean brands. They used to have Song Hye Kyo as their model, which had caused lots of women to run to their stores and crazed over their products in the hope they would have soft and supple skin like hers. Too bad they let her go. Personally, I think their new model is not as cute – and not as famous – as Song Hye Kyo.
My biggest disappointment is that they carry only a small line of make ups and even smaller lines of skin care, compared to their competitors. But, the Etude House collection offers some really cute, unique and tempting items, looks very promising compared to Etude, especially with the new store at TA. Ooh I wanna go there! I used to use – and love – Etude House Green Grape Garden Lotion, quite a long name :D It moisturizes yet never caused me any breakouts, and I’m a huge fan of this range since I first tried it. I even considered to re-purchase, which rarely happens, as I love to experiment – not a good habit, I know. However, I think some of their products are discouragingly overpriced here in Indonesia, they almost cost as much as some higher end brands. But, maybe the new Etude House has a better quality, hence the higher price? Plus, some of their packaging is irresistable!
Unlike the other brands discussed here, Laneige is one of the higher-end brand, a brand owned by Amore Pacific, just like Etude and Etude House. One great marketing step they have taken is to take Jeon Ji Hyun as their model. She’s quite famous, and I love her movies. I personally think that she has quite a sexy face. and I think Song Hye Kyo also has joined forces with Laneige, another great marketing step!
Their Water Sleeping Pack has received a lot of great reviews. I would jump and buy it in an instant, if only the price is friendlier for my pocket. It’s not that expensive actually, coz TFS also has a sleeping mask, and it would cost you only several thousand rupiahs less than Laneige’s. But I really need to calm down and put my wallet to rest for a while… *sigh*
I personally don’t consider Missha as one of the most popular Korean brands around here, despite the fact that it has reached even western countries like America. They are mostly sold in department stores, but I think they used to have a store at Senci. Although they have a decent packaging, I’ve never interested to really tried their products. Well, I’ve bought and tried their mask once, Green Grape Yogurt Mask. It’s a peel-off mask and has quite a lovely scent, if you ignored the alcohol scent, and gives my skin a firm and tight feeling. But honestly I don’t think I’ll repurchase. I can’t comment on their other products, as I have never experimented on those. But I had once seen several interesting eye shadow – loose e/s, refills, stick – when I took a peek at Missha’s counter. Unfortunately, some of the most interesting items are too shimmery or glittery and come in such pale colours…
Weirdly, they use Jang Dong Gun as a model. He may be famous, but I think his masculinity is too dominant and obvious. He doesn’t have a fair and beautiful skin that would attract me, unlike TFS’ model. Xixi..
VOV used to be available in some department stores, but I don’t see them anywhere nowadays. Admittedly they didn’t really wow me, with all the too-ordinary packaging and small range of products. But from what I’ve just seen on their website, they have made quite a progression. They have some cute eye palletes which come in lovely packaging.
I’ve just found out recently that Clio is a Korean brand. Haha.. It used to be available at Galeria, and I had once interested in their loose powder. It had a silver packaging, with a butterfly embellishment on top of the lid. Very cute! But I never got round to really buy it, and unfortunately it’s no longer available here *I think*. Their counter used to have bright yellow theme, a really eye catching counter that you wouldn’t miss when you walk in to the cosmetic area of the department store. Anyway, more about the brand, although Clio is distributed in Korea, the products are not actually made in Korea, instead, they’re made in Italy, Germany, France or Japan. As I browse through their website, I saw that they have really cute items, like baked blusher and eyeshadows, so it’s too bad they’re no longer available here. Would someone kindly fly to Korea and buy me some Clio products? Xixi.. Or even more so, please open up a store here *puppy-eyed*
I found out about this brand just last week when someone at FD mention Lotus Palace. With the rocking horse logo (so cute!), this is surely something I definitely want to try. Too bad it’s not available in Indonesia But, to my surprise, just now, I found another blog mentioning about it being available in England. So I opened the UK website of the product, and yes, it is available in UK, but it’s only available online! Being such an extra-careful-person, I’m not really sure about giving my card details online *a.k.a gaptek 
Ooh how I wish they have these in Indonesia…. The packaging is dark purple, simple yet elegant. And they have some interesting items too *lately everything seems interesting to me* I’d like to try their products, if only… This brand is on top of my ooh-I-wish-I-can-try-some-of-their-products because they look sooo elegant and pretty… They should open a Lotree shop in Indonesia! Hiks…
just another cute korean brand, Banila Co offers lots and lots of nicely packaged skin care and makeup products. I’d love to try their marshmallow eyeshadow, just because they’re cute!
And of course the list doesn’t stop here, coz there’s just too many brands to mention, Skin 79, BRTC, Hanskin, Inissfree, Cathy Cat Colorist, etc etc etc..
if you love korean beauty products, or you love to stroll around at their counters, or you’re an avid beauty beauty forum and blog reader *like moi* you will discover that although there are plenty of brands in the market, but they’re basically selling the same thing. well, of course, not exactly the same thing, but what a brand has, is also carried by the other brands, same concept but with some differences here and there.. interesting. the great thing about this is you’ll discover some of the latest trends in korea! some of my findings :
1. TSF cherry red nail polish v.s TFS cherry red nail polish
2. TSF black sugar wash off mask v.s TFS peeling day honey black sugar scrub
3. TFS dewy flower peeling gel v.s TSF chlorella peeling gel v.s Missha Skin Clear
4. Laneige water sleeping pack v.s TFS raspberry root sleeping mask v.s TSF soothing sleep mask
5. Obviously, the many BB Creams carried by almost every Korean brands!
so it depends on what brand you particularly love. if you’re a big fan of TFS, then most likely you’ll go for TFS products. and so forth.. what’s your favorite brand?
*pics taken from various sources on the net
