K-Beauty isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s officially a staple in American skincare routines. We’ve all scrolled past “glass skin” tutorials and double-cleansing hacks on TikTok, but now the products behind those viral looks are easier than ever to get your hands on. From Sephora shelves to Ulta’s new launches, Korean skincare has gone from cult favorite to full-blown beauty obsession in the U.S. And honestly? We’re not mad about it. If you’ve been curious about the hype (or just looking to upgrade your glow), these are the K-Beauty products and trends everyone is talking about right now.
Let’s be real—if you’re on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve definitely seen the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50 all over your feed. And good news, bestie—it finally landed at Sephora! Lightweight, non-greasy, and quick to melt into your skin, it’s basically the sunscreen that makes you want to reapply. If you’re chasing that dewy, glass-skin glow, their Glow Serum is just as dreamy and totally worth the hype.
But wait—K-Beauty is serving more than just Beauty of Joseon right now. Brands like Torriden are gaining major buzz for their Dive-In Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Cream, aka hydration heroes your skin will thank you for. And if you’re ready to level up your routine, check out Hanyul’s toner pads—they’re a total game-changer and make this step feel like skincare luxury on repeat.
Okay, makeup lovers, let’s talk K-Beauty lip and cheek magic. Even Nordstrom Beauty is hopping on the trend, bringing us rom&nd, best known for its Glasting Color Gloss—a jelly lip that’s basically instant love at first swipe. And don’t sleep on their blush: it gives the prettiest, most natural wash of color. Pro tip: try the lavender shade—it’s huge in Asia but still rare here, so you’ll stand out in the best way.
Other viral K-Beauty picks making serious waves in the U.S.? TirTir’s Cushion Foundation is a flawless, buildable base, and the bouncy Fwee Pudding Pots are total multitaskers for cheeks and lips. Basically, if you’re ready to play with color and texture in your routine, these products are worth every click.
So, bestie, are you ready to give your routine a full K-Beauty makeover? ✨ From viral Korean skincare to makeup gems finally hitting Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom, there’s never been a better time to try these cult favorites for yourself. Which products are you most excited to try first? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about your new must-haves. And if you loved this roundup, don’t forget to share it with your fellow radiant and healthy getters—your friends will thank you for the inspo. Your new healthy skin starts now! 💖
At one time or another, a fragrance lover will come across a perfume that defines a moment in their life. One spritz of said fragrance can be enough to restore their happiest and most confident selves (or at least transport them to a place where they can be at their best). According to hundreds of glowing reviews across major beauty retailers, including Ulta, that fragrance for many people is Wonderlust by Michael Kors.
Created by perfumers Aurelien Guichard and Honorine Blanc and launched in 2016, Wonderlust has remained the brand’s best-selling fragrance and, judging by several retailers, can hardly stay on the shelf thanks to its continued popularity. If you, like me, are a fan of Michael Kors’s most popular fragrance, keep reading to discover 12 other perfumes by the brand you’ll be just as obsessed with.
Without a doubt, Michael Kors’s Wonderlust is the brand’s best-seller when it comes to fragrances. Capturing the desire for discovery, this enigmatic perfume mixes almond milk, dianthus, and smooth sandalwood for an amber gourmand scent we’re obsessed with.
Sensual and chic, this Michael Kors perfume offers warm notes of amber delightfully blended with creamy sandalwood and white flowers for an irresistible and seductive fragrance worth obsessing over.
Another one of the brand’s best-selling fragrances, Gorgeous boasts a lively floral bouquet as a celebration of women. It features classic white florals enhanced by layers of smoky tobacco accord and sheer woods that ooze confidence and ease.
This floral fragrance boasts glamour and classic femininity with a fresh and fruity aroma that smells as gorgeous as it looks. At its heart is an irresistible combination of jasmine and white flower against warm sandalwood and cassis.
Launched by Michael Kors in 2015, Coral is composed of lively and bright notes including pink grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin. In other words, it smells exactly like summer feels.
Spritz Sexy Ruby when you require added glitz and glamour. Perfect for day-to-night activities, this perfume brilliantly combines notes of tangy apricot, smooth jasmine sambac, and cashmere for an effortlessly cool finish.
Tuberose and freesia are the keynotes that capture my heart in this sensual fragrance. In addition to its creamy florals, this perfume also includes brilliant notes of exotic spices and Moroccan incense.
Michael Kors’s Gold Luxe is inspired by refined luxury and the eye-catching brilliance of gold. Mixing notes of hyacinth, gardenia, and sandalwood, this luxurious and fresh fragrance is one of my top choices for life’s biggest occasions.
Timeless elegance in a bottle, this perfume has all the right notes for its wearer to have an olfactory experience like no other. With a bright burst of tuberose, sweet freesia, and cozy musk, this perfume is easily one of the brand’s most wearable.
Described on the brand’s website as “a scent with as many facts as a women’s spirit,” Michael Kors Sparkling Blush Eau de Parfum is a sultry woody floral amber fragrance crafted from bursts of bright pink pepper, rose petals, and rich vanilla.
Launched in 2016, Sexy Blossom is composed of a mix of vibrant florals and dewy leaves, as well as the warm, earthy notes of ambrox, sandalwood, and musk housed in a super-chic glass bottle.
This woody perfume is the result of a bold and sexy combination of Italian lemon, Calabrian bergamot, amber, and sweet florals. It also happens to be at the top of my list of fragrances that work perfectly for a night out on the town.
Have you ever wondered what the stars of Hollywood’s golden era smelled like? This perfume may have come out long after Hollywood’s heyday, but if the biggest names in the business could time travel, we’re sure this fruity floral fragrance would be their top pick.
Keys Soulcare, Alicia Keys’ beauty line, landed in our lives at the perfect moment. Created by the musician as skincare with self-care at its core, Keys Soulcare launched in 2020 (a year when we needed an awful lot of self-care) and started with a range of 10 facial and lifestyle products, from moisturizers to a scented candle. Now, Keys is adding body care to the mix: a hand and body wash, body cream, and body oil, all bearing that same philosophy of taking time for yourself.
“While working closely with Alicia on the facial skincare, we wanted to also infuse many of the ancient and nourishing ingredients into our body offerings,” says board-certified dermatologist Renee Snyder, who co-created Keys Soulcare along with Keys. “It is so important to take care of ourselves, and the body is another moment where we can focus on self-care.” To add to the ritual of it all, the products also come with a corresponding affirmation meant to be spoken with each use. “Alicia and the team develop each affirmation based on the action and feeling you will experience with the offering,” explains Snyder.
Because Keys is known for her radiance—in addition, of course, to her legendary voice—I was intrigued to try her latest products to see if I could capture a bit of her glow. Keep reading for a full breakdown on the new products courtesy of Snyder, and for my honest reviews to find out if I’m fallin’ for them (sorry, couldn’t help myself).
Courtesy of Keys Soulcare
All About Keys Soulcare, According to the Derm Who Co-Created It
The benefit of being developed by a dermatologist? Each ingredient has a purpose. The formulations are also cruelty-free and made without things like parabens or sulfates. What you’ll find instead? Loads of moisturizers, all of which are intended to strengthen the skin barrier. “The skin performs many important functions for us; from helping us eliminate toxins to temperature regulation, but most importantly it acts as a protective barrier,” explains Snyder. “When your skin is hydrated, it is resilient and plump.”
So while the Renewing Body and Hand Wash may be a cleanser, it still puts nourishment first. Think skin-loving Manuka honey, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Meanwhile, the sage and oat milk scent (Alicia’s fave!) helps promote “comfort, clarity, and balance,” according to the derm.
The body cream, as you’d expect, is also chock full of hydrating ingredients. “Sunflower seed oil is extremely high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and other environmental stressors,” explains Snyder. But that’s not all: “Ceramides, along with shea and cocoa butter, promote the infusion of hydration into the skin.” Topping it off is the rose of Jericho, which “can spring back to life at the first drop of water, imparting one’s skin with the feeling of a renewed vitality,” according to Snyder.
Keeping with the theme of protecting the skin, one of the key ingredients in the Sacred Body Oil is baobab oil, which “is known for its regenerative abilities,” according to Snyder. “It is excellent for softening the skin and aids in healing due to the levels of vitamins A, B, and C, along with omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids,” she explains. The formula also contains marula oil, “which is purported to contain 60% more antioxidants than most other oils, packing a powerful punch to the skin,” adds Snyder.
I’m not particularly picky when it comes to soap and body wash, but I’m a sucker for a good scent. My skin can also get dry, so I was excited to see if this formula is as hydrating as it claims. Right off the bat, I loved the fragrance—it reminded me of expensive perfume, without being overwhelming. The texture of the body wash is gel-like, and it lathers up fairly well (especially considering it’s sulfate-free). As I used it, I remembered about the affirmation part of the deal, luckily, they’re printed right on the packaging. For the body wash, the affirmation is “I love myself as I am.” I repeated it a few times until I admittedly felt a little silly. But I tried!
Immediately after toweling off, I could tell my skin felt softer and more hydrated than with my usual body wash, but the true test, in my opinion, would be how it held up post-shower. The next day, I’m pleased to report, my skin was just as soft. I also smelled amazing (if I do say so myself). The product has been a mainstay in my shower since the first use so I haven’t been using it as a hand soap, but the pretty bottle would look great on the sink, too.
I love a good body cream, so this was probably the product I was most excited to try. I would say it’s almost like body butter, both in texture and color (picture Kiehl’s Creme de Corps). Let’s just say she’s thick. A little goes a long way, which is something I learned after I overdid it on leg number one. It’s not scented, which I appreciated, especially because I was still in the throes of the body wash. It didn’t feel greasy after applying, but I let it sink in for a few minutes for good measure. All in all, it’s a solid, super-moisturizing formula, but if you’re looking for something lightweight, you may want a more traditional lotion
While I love a good body cream, I don’t often use body oils, but I was there for the full Keys experience. First off, I was a fan of the dropper bottle, which is super convenient to use. It also has the same fragrance as the body wash, but again, isn’t overpowering. As instructed, I warmed the pale golden oil between my hands first, and it applied like a dream—not greasy at all, and just enough slip. It’s recommended to use this right after showering, but I found myself reaching for the bottle to moisturize my elbows and cuticles, all times of the day. Consider me a body oil convert!
Containing both physical (Hojicha powder, oats, and mung beans) and chemical (lactic acid) exfoliants, this gentle scrub can be used once or twice a week.
Rich and hydrating, this moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to moisturize, and bakuchiol to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Bonus: It also comes in a fragrance-free version.
Keys and Snyder smartly packaged the line’s signature scent in candle form for maximum relaxation vibes.
Have you tried Keys Soulcare products yet? If so, which is your favorite? Let me know down in the comments what you think about the products mentioned above. xo
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Raise your hand if you use the words hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably. Yes, a lot of us do that all the time.
When it comes to the beauty industry, there are a lot of terms to be learned. And the biggest culprits we’ve noticed falling into this category are the words ‘hydrate’ and ‘moisturize’. While they both address the importance of nourishing our skin, they should not be treated as the same thing.
Which is why we’ve put together a simple guide detailing the difference between the two, to ensure that you get optimum benefits out of both.
Dry versus dehydrated skin – is there a difference?
Yes.
The term ‘dehydrated‘ is used to describe lack of water, while the term ‘dry’ loosely translates to lack of oil. Hence, dehydrated skin needs to be hydrated (as it lacks water), and dry skin needs to be moisturized (as it lacks oil).
Hydrating adds moisture to the skin
If there’s one thing that Korean skincare has taught us is that hydrating makes all the difference when it comes to healthy and glowy skin.
When skin cells are well hydrated they swell to be plump, bouncy and reflect light effectively. If water flows out of the cells they become dehydrated and can shrivel up, which leads to lackluster skin. Imagine your skin cells are mini water balloons. In their healthiest state, they are full of water, firm, bouncy, plump and reflect light.
Now imagine these mini balloons have a slow leak where the water is steadily escaping. What happens to the balloon? It loses its rounded plump shape, it is less bouncy and as the water gets low it shrivels up and becomes dull looking.
Even if we find the leak and patch it up, the skin still needs a fresh infusion of water to refill what’s been lost. In addition, it needs support to hold onto the water.
This is where skin hydrators come in. Hydration refers to the amount of water in the skin. And hydrator are products formulated with special ingredients to increase the water content of the skin.
And what are these special ingredients? Humectants. Humectants absorb moisture from the environment and deliver it down to the skin’s layers, facilitating hydration. Glycerin and honey are some great examples.
Therefore, hydration replenishes all the water that the skin has lost and adds some more for good measure.
So, up the water content of your skin by incorporating a hydrator into your daily routine and drinking enough water. A water-based daily cream like TATCHAWater Cream ( $20), hydrates the skin deeply while lending it a moisturized finish all through the day. Not only will doing so help your skin regain its proper moisture balance, but will also increase the powers of your moisturizer.
Moisturizing locks moisture into the skin
Hydration is a like a glass of water for your skin. It doesn’t matter how many glasses your skin drinks every day, if there’s nothing keeping this water in, it’ll evaporate, leaving your skin dry.
Enter moisturizing. Moisturizing forms a barrier on the skin that locks water in so it can’t run away anymore and works towards retaining what moisture is present on the skin at the time of application. By forming a protective seal on the skin’s surface, moisturizers are able to reduce the risk of the evaporation throughout the day.
But you may ask if both moisturizers and hydrators provide our skin with moisture, how do we know which of the two our skin needs?
Well, the answer is both.
Dehydrated skin that is moisturized will still look dull and feel uncomfortably tight, without receiving hydration. And dry skin that is hydrated but not moisturized will still flake and have a rough texture. So, you need to stock up on both hydrators and moisturizers, or products that offer a combination of them together.
Hydrators and moisturizers are not just synonyms written on products as part of a clever marketing scheme, to make you buy more than you need. They really do have a purpose of their own and together, keep the skin looking plump and happy.
For best results, hydrators and moisturizers should be applied morning (before sunscreen) and night. You can apply moisturizing lotions or creams after applying your hydrator so it doesn’t peel.
Wait… here are 3 waysto hydrate your skin
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. If you drink caffeine or alcohol drink that much more water. I find that I need an app to help me stay on track with my water consumption. Tracking my consumption and getting little reminders throughout the day has made a huge difference in the amount of water I drink. There are many water tracker apps that are free. For the ladies: Flo is a women’s health app, that supports women at each stage of their reproductive cycle. It tracks menstruation, cycle prediction, preparation for conception, pregnancy, early motherhood and menopause. And, you know what else it tracks? Water intake! Download Flo for free to start tracking.
MIST YOUR SKIN. Carry a small bottle of hydrosol in your bag or backpack to mist your face throughout the day. Look for with a hydrosol mist of aloe with floral or herbal infusions for the best overall skin pick me up. Try e.l.f. Soothing Aloe Facial Mist ( $8 ) which moisturizes and refreshes skin with invigorating scent. Perfect to start or end your day with, or even as a mid-day refresher. Like a cool glass of water for parched skin After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist($20) provides breathable, lightweight hydration that skin will instantly drink up and MARIO BADESCUFacial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater( $12 ) is another great choice! This floral face mist features complexion-loving rose and gardenia extracts, skin-softening bladderwrack (a type of mineral-rich seaweed) extract, and clarifying thyme extract to boost the complexion. Mist whenever, wherever for radiant and re-energized skin.
Note:Avoid any mists that contain alcohol. This can dry the skin and defeat the purpose of this hydration boost.] If you feel self-conscious misting yourself in public, you can always do it in the bathroom as a final refresher after you wash your hands.
APPLY SERUMS DAILY. Especially those that contain hyaluronic acid. I especially love to wear this in the morning to keep my skin supported throughout the day when it needs the most help staying hydrated. I rarely ever skip this step.
If you are in a hurry and need to cut down on your routine, find another way to shave off time in your morning prep and keep this step as a non-negotiable. Your skin will thank you today and years from now.
Primp Tip: While you’re shopping, look for serums that have a one percent concentration of hyaluronic acid, as higher levels can cause skin irritation. And choose serums that have natural hyaluronic acid, plus vitamin C, without irritating ingredients, such as alcohol, sulphates, and parabens.
Have any other tips and tricks? I look forward to hearing how you get your daily hydration and moisture fix!
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