What to check out at Etude House and Tony Moly this season

Guys, I have a serious case of FOMO right now. Each time I look through my Instagram or Facebook feed, there’s always someone happily gallivanting around South Korea! Marielle, who was in Seoul recently, even wrote a 5-day itinerary for us to start planning our SoKor trips and another just for all the Seoul beauty spots. But alas, I am landlocked and Manila-bound til the end of the year. Here’s some good news though: we can start living the Korean life with the next best thing we can all easily access, K-beauty!

And this is the season to be jolly as two of PV’s favorite brands, Tony Moly and Etude House, have released their latest products and holiday collections - just in time to make that perpetually long K-beauty wish list. In case you haven't checked them out yet, their cute packaging and loyalty rewards are two good reasons to do so.

The #TonyMolyHolidayCollection consists of three products in the cutest red and white packaging. The Backgel Liner (P578) is a water-resistant eyeliner that comes in a pot with a built-in brush. This formula is one of my personal favorites as it goes on smoothly and is quite easy to apply.

The Lip Tint Trio (P578) is a 3-piece mini tint set that splits apart, so you can stash one in your clutch or carry all three to party! Rounding up the Holiday Collection is the new BCdation Cushion Plus (P1,048).

It promises the benefits of a BB cream, the moisturizing effect of a CC cream, and the flawless coverage of a foundation – all in one convenient cushion packaging. Here's a swatch of the BCdation Cushion Plus in Shade 02 that I got to test out.

The BCdation Cushion Plus looks natural on though I had to build up the coverage. For pimple marks and dark under eye circles, a separate concealer is a must. I have medium skin tone and the Shade 02 is light for me so to make it work, I have to layer with a darker powder. Longevity wise, it lasted around 4 to 5 hours before it started wearing off. My extra dry skin also needs to be prepped well to avoid patchy areas. Here is a makeup look I did with the Tony Moly BCdation Cushion Plus as base.

Did my eyes with the Etude House Pinky Galaxy palette

Tony Moly also released two new products that are not part of their holiday collection. One is the Inked Lasting Mascara (P698), which has the cutest packaging! It looks like a fountain pen which I find really cool as I love fountain pens. The formula should be sweat- and moisture-resistant due to their Daily Proof Film System.

For skincare lovers and fans of Tony Moly’s Gold 24K Snail line, there’s the Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Cream (P3,298). This rich cream will combat any dryness and the 65% fermented snail mucus filtrate ingredient repairs skin quickly and effectively.

Stars and sparkles take centerstage in the #BeMyUniverse Holiday Collection of Etude House. The seven festive shades in each Be My Universe Multi Palette (P1,148), Pinky Galaxy and Golden Galaxy, embody the space theme well.

The Pinky Galaxy palette that I have includes cool-toned shades with a touch of pink and deep violets in the selection. I used this palette in the look I shared above. Pigmentation is okay and the sparkle shadow looks subtle on. I wore it during daytime and it didn’t look overboard.

To go with the palettes are the Be My Universe Curl Fix Mascara (P748) and the Be My Universe Dear My Matte Tinting Lips Talk (P498). Also included in the collection is a three-piece set of the Be My Universe Colorful Scent Perfume Handcream (P898), which means to keep a tube each in your purse, vanity, and car so you always have a dryness-saving tube handy!

Etude House also released the Limited Edition Dear Darling Water Gel Tints (P298 each) in six trendy shades! These would be perfect for gifting, with the cute popsicle packaging and beginner-friendly formula. I’ve been wearing the PK006 shade, which adds a fun layer of shimmer on my lips. It will probably wear better on top of the more solid colored tints.

To round up the list is the Play Color Eyes Wine Party Palette (P1,348) which has 10 warm eyeshadows inspired by a lovely wine party in shades reminiscent of wine and its perfect companions.

This has got to be my favorite out of all the products released as the packaging is sleek and handy and the shade range (with the yummiest shade names!) covers for a wearable day time outing to a chic night out. I did this quick makeup look to go out and run some errands. I love how beginner-friendly this palette is with just the right amount of pigment and variety.

Swatches, from left: Camembert Brie Cheese, The Last Leaf, Oak Barrel, Wine Cork, Rose Sparkling Holic, Marathon, Wine Burgundy, Soulmate, Dress Code : Bling, Bordeaux Wine

If you want to check out these new items as gifts for others or for yourself, just drop by your nearest Tony Moly and Etude House boutiques. You can also check out their Facebook pages (Tony Moly PH and Etude House PH) for updates and information regarding availability.

Are you visiting Seoul any time soon? What’s on your K-beauty wishlist?