Sure, it’s what’s inside that counts… but when it comes to picking out Korean skin care and beauty products, we have to admit that the outside definitely comes into play as well. Call us shallow, but we find it tough to resist the wiles of, say, a bubble tea-themed sleeping mask or a tinted lip balm with dinosaurs roaring winsomely on the lid.
Ready to get in on all the cuteness? Luckily, these Korean beauty picks are as effective as they are aesthetically pleasing — so you’ll be able to have your cake (or macaron-shaped lip balm, as the case may be) and eat it too.
[ Next: 15 Beauty Blogger-Approved K-Beauty Faves ]
This article originally appeared on TotalBeauty.com
Cute K-Beauty Products
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Missha
Rolling Heart Ball Blusher, $26.50 at Missha
Are you familiar with the iconic Guerlain Meteorites? This Korean beauty blush is a lot like that — except even cuter (and quite a bit cheaper, too). Each blush comes with tiny heart-shaped capsules of pigment, meant to be swirled together for that perfect pink glow.
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IPKN
Rose Water Soothing Gel, $24 at Nordstrom
This soothing gel moisturizer has a cooling effect, making it great for tackling redness. And from the cartoon bunny clad in oversized sunglasses and a bikini to millennial pink gingham pattern on the top to the roses swirling around the perimeter of the lid, it really doesn't get much cuter. Plus, who doesn't love all things rose-scented?
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Etude House
Bubble Tea Sleeping Pack, $13.20 at Etude House
Etude House is a popular Korean beauty brand known for its cuteness factor — and its bubble tea-inspired mask might just be one of its most adorable products of all. Designed to be worn overnight, this moisturizing mask is super hydrating and has a lovely vanilla scent.
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Innisfree
Birthstone Matte Mineral Setting Powder, $8 at Innisfree
Birthstone-themed setting powders? Take our money! These translucent loose powders are designed to keep shine in check and the Instagram-worthy pastel shades and cartoon gemstone renderings make them a must-have.
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Too Cool for School
Check Jelly Blusher, $20 at Ulta
It's tough to tell from this image, but this blush is actually teeny-tiny, officially boosting its status from "adorable" to "mega-adorable." The marshmallow-esque texture makes it a fun iteration of the bouncy beauty trend and the preppy plaid motif brings it all home. Plus, isn't the slogan on the top of the tin amazing?
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The Saem
Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick, $10.49 at The Saem
This polar bear-topped Korean skin care pick is so cute, it almost doesn't even matter what it actually does. Though, in case you were wondering, it's a cooling eye stick, designed to help brighten dark circles and relieve puffiness. Oh, and bonus: It also works nicely as a smoothing priming base for your concealer.
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It's Skin
Macaron Lip Balm, $10 at Sephora
Sign us up for macaron-themed everything. These tiny, fruit-scented lip balms capture the essence of your favorite dessert to perfection — and it actually hydrates really well, which is not always a given with novelty balms.
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I Dew Care
Caticorn Headband, $9 at Ulta
Can't decide whether you want the cat ears or the unicorn horn? Um, why not get both? This softer-than-soft headband makes your nighttime skincare routine a breeze, handily keeping flyaways out of your face without leaving dents in your hairstyle. Just another adorable tool to make your quest for glass skin that much easier.
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COSRX
One Step Moisture Up Pad, $19 at Soko Glam
Have you met Cosrx's sweaty male mascot yet? He adorns a lot of the brand's packaging and he's way cuter than he has any right to be. These propolis extract and hyaluronic acid-soaked pads serve many purposes; helping to cleanse, tone, clear up and even hydrate your skin.
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Skinfood
Honey Pot Lip Balm, $10 at Soko Glam
We all love honey as a skin care ingredient and this lip balm takes the honey theme one step further by actually using packaging that resembles a teensy little honeypot. Winnie the Pooh would be so proud!
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A'PIEU
Strawberry Milk Sheet Mask (Brightening), $2.50 at Target
When it comes to cute sheet masks, A'Pieu has some of the best in the Korean skin care game. This hydrating, brightening option resembles a strawberry milk carton and comes with the requisite (and delicious) strawberry scent.
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Too Cool for School
Dinoplatz Lip Balm, $15 at Nordstrom
The dinos. Oh, the dinos. This tinted, glossy balm adds just enough color to your lips with its comfy formula and the cheery sketches of dinosaurs on the tin are the cherry on top.
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Holika Holika
Aqua Petit Jelly BB, $20 at Peach & Lily
With its pleasingly pudding-like texture, its flower-shaped frosted glass bottle and its cheery polka-dotted lid, this popular BB cream scores cuteness points all around. The comfy-to-wear texture is surprisingly high-coverage and it has a lovely dewy finish.
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TonyMoly
Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick, $13 at Urban Outfitters
Blackheads aren't cute, but you know what are? Black octopuses with cartoon faces! This cleansing stick is shaped like a little octopus (or "tako," which means "octopus" in Japanese) and helps clean pores with a mixture of exfoliating cellulose beads and clarifying black mud.
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Skinfood
Gummy Bear Jelly Hand Gel, $8 at Ulta
When it comes to choosing hand cream, good packaging is often half the battle. These fruit-scented, fast-absorbing gels are shaped just like oversized gummy bears — making them the perfect accessory for your desk or nightstand.
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Innisfree
Kitty Bunny Pony My Palette Cases, $9 at Innisfree
Kitty Bunny Pony is a Korean fabric company and it's partnered with Innisfree to create these superlatively adorable customizable makeup palettes. You can fill it with Innisfree blushes and eyeshadows, which fit satisfyingly snugly into the magnetized tray.
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Peach Slices
Dreamy Soft Fluffy Hand Cream in Coconut, $5.99 at Peach & Lily
Another day, another enviably adorable hand cream. Scented like coconuts, this nourishing cream hydrates like a treat and tucks adorably into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups.
