:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46851126/The-Face-Shop-West.0.0.jpg)
Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
The Face Shop, a Korean Beauty store chain, couldn't be happier that the rest of the world is going gaga for Korean beauty products. But with so many potions, lotions, serums, and creams from which to choose, diving in can be a bit overwhelming. What to do? Try them all—in person. Lucky for us SF types, all that means is a jaunt over to Japantown (1737 Post Street). There are three other Bay Area stores in Santa Clara, San Jose and Milpitas, as well.
After consulting with Hye Jin Park,The Face Shop's SF store manager, we put together this list of best-sellers, which just happens to be the perfect way to kick-start your Korean beauty regimen.
-
Face Mask Sheets
We dare you to leave the store with just one mask! With wall-filled rows and rows of natural face masks, its no wonder these one-sheeters are a best-seller. Choose from avocado, honey, chia seed, acai berry, aloe, cucumber, green tea and more.
-
Face It Magic Cover BB Cream
Why not get BB cream from the source? Most Koreans wear BB cream for their coverage and skincare benefits. This lightly moisturizing BB cream contains no minerals or chemicals and is made form baby green tea leaves. It gives a matte finish and stays on for hours.
-
Full Stay CC Cream
The newest Korean Beauty trend is the CC cream. This full-coverage CC cream is moisturizing, brightening and contains SPF 50. This cream boasts 24 hours of moisturizing with no caking. Enriched with Bulgaria rose extract water. Just pump the compact to expose the cream and pat on your face with the puff. Purchase a refill for the compact when you're done.
-
Chia Seed Skincare Products
The Chia Seeds products are among the most popular skincare products at The Face Shop. (They're good for all skin types.) The products all contain chia seeds, which are filled with Vitamin E and antioxidants. They range from toners and creams to brightening products.
-
Le Marche - The Therapy Skincare Products
This natural French-themed skincare brand is very popular among the beauty shoppers in Korea and has now made it's way to the U.S. It's great for dry skin, and those looking for anti-aging products.
-
Miindo Ginseng Whitening Emulsion
This product feature traditional Korean herbs and ginseng to help brighten skin and reduce wrinkles. It's all natural—no synthetic products are used.
-
Miindo Hwan Saeng Go Skincare Products
One of the most popular anti-aging skincare lines at The Face Shop, the Miindo Hwan Saeng Go products include a host of natural plant-based ingredients as well as real gold to recover damaged skin cells. The products also contain snail slime (eek!) that helps with dryness and hyper-pigmentation.
-
Over Girl Cream Edge Stick
This shimmery cream stick eyeliner comes in five shades and features a diagonal shaped applicator to better work the curvy eye area. Plus, it can be used as an eyeshadow or liner. Just use the edge of the stick for a delicate line under the eye.
-
Real Gloss Lip Gloss
This lip gloss is like a lipstick and gloss in one. The color is highly pigmented and the gloss? Not sticky. The cap features a one-click retractable brush to keep its shape for the long haul. There are five shades of vivid hues, from pinks to corals to reds.
-
The Face Shop False Eyelashes
The Face Shop false eyelashes feature a variety of different shapes from delicate real-looking lashes to doll lashes and more. And what a great price.