text: The unique point of these lipsticks is the flat, slim design and the easy to use crayon form. It is intended to be able to use as a lip liner and lipstick in one, or to be feathered out in the popular gradient style – whether you want a very defined look or a soft, petal-like finish then this product is perfect for both. It also boasts high pigmentation and intense colour pay-off with a single swipe. I have also read somewhere about the lipsticks are meant to have a raspberry scent but I don’t really notice it.
  These lipsticks come in two different formulas to suit what ever your make up preferences are. There is the Velvet formula, which is essentially a matte lipstick, and the other is the Glossy formula which has a more gloss-like finish but still has the creaminess and opacity of a lipstick.
  I feel that there is no comparing about which formula is better because it all comes down to personal preference. Personally, I actually like using both of them at the same time to create a sort of gradient.
  The colour range for this collection is pretty good, especially considering that a lot of Korean make up lines only hold a few limited shades (most of which are very similar reds). Although they are all quite conventional shades, I like that they cover different undertones and also vary between reds, pinks and oranges.
  There are six different shades in each finish and, although they are named differently, they actually correlate to each other. Looking at the lipsticks above, you can see the shades colour coded (note that the lid colour is actually more accurate than the PR box). Because a lot of these shades work together harmoniously, it is really easy to pair them together.
  My personal preference is for the darker shades, as I feel like they work a lot better with my complexion. Light colours don’t suit me very well and they have a tendency to wash me out. That being said, my favourite shades are RD02 Berry Up Red (in the glossy) and PK01 Rose Pink (in the velvet).
  The packaging of these lipsticks are very simple but they’re effective and, personally, I think that it’s well thought through. The product comes in a twist up crayon style, which a matte dark grey body – which is on brand and typical for The Face Shop. There is also silver text on it that states whether it is glossy or velvet – the print doesn’t scratch off easily, so the lipstick stays looking fresh quite well.
  My favourite part of this packaging is actually the cap. Each of the lipsticks are colour coded to the product, and there are actually two different finishes (matte and glossy) so that it’s easy to pick out not only the shade but also the finish when they are all put together. This makes it really easy for me to find the colour that I want and, although it’s a simple idea, it works really well.
  The quality of the packaging is good and the cap is quite sturdy. I have carried it around in my make up bag a handful of times (as I find this product required touch ups quite often during the day), and I’ve never had it open up in my bag. It’s also light and compact, with a simple design, so it’s good for travel.
  The flat bullet style of this lipstick definitely makes it easy to apply. I find it really easy to get a defined line, though of course it isn’t as crisp as a liquid lipstick would be but it is easily comparable to a bullet lipstick. The thinner style makes it easier to get the corners of your lips but, as you can see in the swatches below, isn’t completely mess free. Using a lip liner is still cleaner, but this is an improvement in comparison.
  Some of the shades apply a lot better than others, which is quite obvious in the below swatches.Overall, I found that the darker shades were very bold and pigmented but the lighter shades (in both the velvet and glossy formula) seems to accent and gather in dry spots. The lightest shades (OR01 Punch Orange and BE01 Solar Beige) were quite patchy on application and it was difficult to get a good look with them.You can probably see how messy it is in my below swatches too. Sorry, I just wasn’t keen on it and you can tell.
  The glossy sticks also tend to transfer and bleed a little more than the velvets, so I prefer to use the velvets overall and then use the glossy lips on the inside of my lip to create a gradient. Alternatively, the glossy lipsticks are very easy to blend out the edges, but some are messier (see Punch Orange… not very flattering).
  I definitely gravitate towards some of these lipsticks more than others. I personally really like the darker shades, as I find them more opaque and easy to apply in comparison to the lighter shades, but this may also be because I never like these light shades on me anyway. I think that these are a good concept, and the packaging and colour range is generally nice too – there’s a wide range with two different formulas, so you can definitely find something to suit you.
  My favourite way to use these is as a gradient lip, with the velvet outside and the glossy on the inside. The formulas blend and work together well.
  The longevity of these is quite average, as you do need to touch up often. The glossy transfers more than the velvets, which is to be expected, but they will just generally disappear if you eat or drink. However, I don’t find these too drying on my lips and it’s easy to reapply it during the day. It can gather in dry spots as it fades, but isn’t the worst that I’ve encountered.
  Overall, I think that this is a nice product and a good concept. If I were to buy these myself, I would likely be one or two of each finish, but it isn’t something that I would collect all of. The formula is nice but hasn’t blown me away. However, the simplicity of the packaging means that this is a good product to have when you’re travelling – this is also something that I might throw into my make up bag just to use when ever I feel like it. It’s very lightweight and easy to carry around.
  I like having these products on hand, and I do reach for them when ever I’m after a bright pop of colour on the lips (except for the pale shades… I have no idea what I’m going to do with them because I’ll never use it) but I do have other lip products that I love more. This isn’t a product that comes highly recommended from me, because there are definitely better formulas out there, but is one that I would still suggest checking out if one of the colours/formulas caught your eye.
  I received this product from The Face Shop Sydney, so check out their store if you’re in Sydney! You can also find most of the range on the BONIIK website, as they are owned by the same people.
  According to the website, “Pyunkang Yul is the brand launched by the renowned Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic, an institution well-known for treating atopic skin disorders.
  “Pyunkang Yul rejects the notion that cosmetics are simply another shopping item. Instead, they believe they are a means of protecting the skin. As such, they have opted to remove all unnecessary chemical substances from their products to utilize only the minimum, safest components to protect and provide respite to your tired and irritated skin.”
  For this reason, the brand’s products focus on the idea of using natural, gentle products (with a minimalist ingredients list) so that their products are suitable even for sensitive skin, as well as optimising skin temperature. The theory behind this, which I do mention in my StyleKorean KBeauty Guru Video, stems from Korean herbal medicine which believe that your skin’s optimum temperature is 31 degrees celcius and deviation from this will result in moisture loss and drying out of your skin.
  As I mentioned before, the mist comes in two different sizes – 100mL and 200mL though from what I can see on the website, the packaging of them is pretty similar (only one is larger). It comes in a deep blue plastic bottle, the colour which looks quite elegant and fancy, even though it’s a very simple design. The label of it is also printed on a really nice paper that is reminiscent of traditional Asian parchment, so I love that the packaging looks very modern but still gives a gentle nod to the traditional inspirations.
  There is a clear cap, but the mist doesn’t come in a box – but rather wrapped in plastic. This isn’t an issue when you’re buying it for yourself but you might want to keep it in mind if you are gifting it.
  The spray nozzle for this bottle isn’t too fine, so some people might actually feel that it isn’t gentle enough. This comes down to personal preference but, personally, I like when sprays have a little bit more substance to them and I really like this applicator (is that what I would call it?). Even when I finish it up, I think that I will keep the bottle to refill and use. It is recommended to spray this from a distance of around 20cm.
  Overall, the packaging looks good and it seems to be of a good quality – though a paper box will also elevate the overall design.
  Contains 91.9% Barberry root extract to soothe your skin and prepare it for the next stages of your skincare routine; it also helps to drop skin temperature and calm sensitive skin
  I can definitely see and feel that this Mist Toner is really great at hydrating my skin – even immediately after application, I can feel that I skin is more refreshed and prepped. It’s especially great to use in the mornings because it is so quick to apply and absorbs fast too. The light, water formula means that it only takes a few seconds to pat it in.
  It also does help to cool down skin but perhaps not as dramatically as I would have thought. There is a refreshing and calming sensation when the mist is sprayed, but I can’t say that it is substantially more so than other mists. For someone who suffers from redness though, I think that this would be great to keep on hand for use during the day. I also had no adverse effects or irritation from it, though my skin isn’t usually that sensitive to begin with.
  This also applied well on top of make up, in that it was light and absorbed quickly without affecting the appearance of cosmetics. However, it is definitely a toner and not a fixing spray so it doesn’t help your make up to stay longer and won’t be beneficial as a touch up during the day. I think that this is best suited for someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make up but just wants to keep hydrated and to calm their skin throughout the day.
  And above it is sprayed on my skin and very, very quickly patted in. I did enjoy this product in the time that I’m using it and I will continue to finish up the bottle though I’m not sure that it is an essential for me yet. It’s great for hydrating and cooling skin, but I don’t see any substantial results from it. Overall, it’s a bit of a basic product but it does deliver what it promises!
  I love their simple ingredients list (where everything is rated low hazard and safe for sensitive skin) so this is a product that I would definitely recommend to those with sensitive or trouble skin – especially if you have redness that need to keep your skin cool. For other people, such as myself where my skin isn’t too sensitive to other ingredients, this is still a decent product but it isn’t blowing me away. Still, I will happily keep using this toner mist twice a day (which I am) until it is finished before deciding if I want to repurchase.
  If you want to get your hands on the Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner it is selling on StyleKorean for USD$14.40 (100mL) or USD$21.60 (200mL). You can also click the below banner to go to their homepage and check out everything else that they have on offer: