As an international student from Vietnam who moved to the U.S. last year, I thought I would have to radically change my beauty routines by giving up Asian beauty products. But I was wrong! Below are some examples of these products that I’m currently using that can be accessed with affordable prices via platforms like Yesstyle, StyleKorea, Aliexpress, and Chic Decent.
- Chinese loose powders
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From my personal observation, people outside of Vietnam and China don’t often talk about Chinese products when it comes to loose powder — that’s such a shame! Most powders I have used are often very fine and look natural on the skin. Some are also great at oil-control for oily-skinned girlies, such as the Perfect Diary Weightless Soft-velvet Blurring Loose Powder and CARSLAN Oil Control Waterproof Loose Setting Powder. However, the only problem with them is the shade range: since these brands focus on selling to the domestic market, people with deeper skin tones often struggle to find a suitable powder without a slight white cast, even if the shade is called “transparent” or “natural.”
- Korean lip tints
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These have gone viral on TikTok for a good reason! They’re lightweight, glossy in a non-sticky way, and some leave very long-lasting and gripping stains on your lips. Lilybyred, Rom&nd, and Peripera are some of the most popular brands in the market right now. My personal go-to is Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint #23 Nucadamia, which is a perfect warm-toned MLBB shade with a plump glossy finish.
- Korean skincare – everything!
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If you’re not looking for strong, active ingredients, you could find wonderful Korean options for any skincare step. Some products that I recommend getting are cleansers, cleansing oils, and sunscreens. For the girlies who would like to be a little ✨extra✨, Korean toner pads are also a bougie item to treat yourself with.
- Japanese hair products
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If your hair is dry and easily damaged, some Japanese brands provide great treatment products along with regular shampoos and conditioners. My friend is obsessed with the Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Hair Care set of shampoo and conditioner, which worked great for me when my hair was at its worst! Fino Premium Hair Mask is another holy grail from the same company that has done amazing things to high-porosity and damaged hair textures.