A while ago, I was sent a couple of items from 2 Korean brands to try out. We see many Korean brands available these days, but there are so many brands available in Korea that are not yet available overseas. When I was in Seoul, the choices were mind boggling and seriously. there’s no way to know what to buy at all! Add to that the fact that many Korean brands are for the most part, very affordable and the choices get harder.
The 2 brands I was sent were by Innisfree and Tony Moly and are carried by online store IHeartKoreanBeauty which is based in Singapore but ships to Malaysia and worldwide. I was sent two of their bestsellers – Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask and Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Mascara.
I’ll start off with the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask because I think this one’s a pretty nice clay mask. It comes in a small 100ml jar and is as the name implies, contains volcanic clay from Jeju island in Korea. Volcanic clay is supposed to have antibacterial properties and absorb sebum and purify the skin. The thing about clay masks is that they tend to be drying and if you have combination skin tending to dry, like mine, you might just throw your hands up in horror at the thought of using this mask.
But you know what? This is a clay mask that isn’t drying at all!
I apply quite a thick layer of this pale beige mask on my skin and then let it dry while I go about doing my thing (usually watch tv) and unlike other clay masks I use, I do not experience a dry tight tingling feeling. The mask doesn’t dry out and crack like many clay masks do, and washing off is very easy. It doesn’t stick to my skin.
As I have noted, my skin doesn’t feel very dry but it does feel very smooth and clean. That said, I do not use this one often. I’ve only used it three times since receiving it about 2 months ago, because I don’t have oily skin. So I use this mainly when I feel like my skin needs some purifying.
If you have oily skin you could use it more often and it might be more beneficial. For me, 100ml can last a while. Not having tried anything from Innisfree before, I think this was quite a good introduction to the brand.
In a nutshell
A clay mask that isn’t drying on the skin. It leaves skin feeling very smooth and clean and brighter after use but does not unclog pores or blackheads as well as other clay masks I’ve tried. It is comfortable on the skin and washes off easily and does not have a strong scent so it is very comfortable to use.
Pros: A non-drying clay mask that is very comfortable to use even on drier skin, Leaves skin feeling very smooth, clean and bright
Cons: If you have very congested skin I don’t know if it will help as it did not help unclog my pores, Unavailable in Malaysia at point of writing
The other Korean product I tried was the Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Mascara in Volume which I took to mean its a volumizing mascara. I was told that this is a very popular mascara and is a bestseller at IHeartKoreanBeauty. Priced at just S$8.50 I have no doubt of its affordability. Its probably even cheaper than many pharmacy brand mascaras in Singapore. We don’t get Tony Moly in Malaysia yet at this point in time.We apparently get Tony Moly in JB and rumours are in KL too.
When you have skinny short lashes, the thought of a nice inexpensive volume mascara is very exciting. If it works that is. Unfortunately for me, the Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Mascara was a wash out.
Left: Curled, no mascara Right: Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Mascara
On my lashes, it offers no lengthening nor volume. It in fact weighs down my lashes so I lose my curl very quickly. The formula is very light however, and it washes out very easily with just warm water. It doesn’t clump and the brush is quite nice. It gets most of my lashes. But for whatever reason, I just cannot get my lashes to stay up when I have the Tony Moly mascara on 
I also find that the formula takes a while to dry, so if I’m not careful, it smudges quite easily. Once it dries, its perfectly fine but not before. Fortunately, these days, ever since I learnt the tip to put on mascara first before eye makeup, I don’t botch up my eye makeup. I can clean off smudges before I apply colours. But it still irritates me when I’m in a hurry.
I hope its not just me having this issue. Since its a bestseller item I’m guessing there are other ladies out there who find it good enough to purchase and repurchase. I however do not number among them, sorry!
In a nutshell
A very affordable mascara that is very easy to apply. The brush gets to each lash very easily and the formula is quite light. However it causes my lashes to droop and takes a while to dry. Once dried it does not smudge but washes out very easily with warm water. A good mascara for a natural day look. Not one I’d suggest for a dramatic eye.
Pros: Affordable, Brush is very good and coats lashes very well, Washes out very easily with warm water, Does not smudge on me once dried
Cons: Causes my lashes to droop, Takes a while to dry
Both Innisfree and Tony Moly are not available in Malaysia at this point in time although I believe that Tony Moly has a store in Singapore already. (I’m told Tony Moly has a store in Johor Bahru too!) Other than the Tony Moly Snail Cream I tried before this, these are the only items I’ve tried from both brands so far.
Have you tried anything from Innisfree and Tony Moly you like? Or have you tried either of these products here? Always good to know if others agree or disagree with my experience 
Paris B
Both products featured were provided by IHeartKoreanBeauty (their webstore) and they carry a wide variety of Korean cosmetics and they ship internationally.
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[ 18 comments… read them below or join the discussion ]
I’ve seen the Innisfree as a bestseller in many sprees. Always shied away from it cos I thought it would be drying. Maybe I’ll get it now, forehead is congested – guess my sebum glands haven’t given up yet.
Twitter: paris_b
November 15, 2011 at 10:51 pm
I saw the store in Korea when I was there but for some reason I wasn’t intrigued enough to go in and try anything. I guess I didn’t do my homework because I read that their skincare is better than some of the other brands. They are by Amore Pacific, one of the biggest cosmetics companies in Korea and mother brand of Laneige too.
I’ve heard of Amore Pacific. Supposed to be a super-duper expensive Korean brand!
Twitter: paris_b
November 16, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Are they very pricey? I saw the counter but i thought the prices were in maybe Dior skincare range but I could be mistaken. Their currency boggles my mind
My pores need some decongesting! Thanks for the reminder. That mascara is BAD for Asian lashes, lol!
Twitter: paris_b
November 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Time for a mud mask! And yes sadly the mascara just wouldn’t work for my lashes
I have the innisfree clay mask and i have oily skin, blackhead is my best friend and it just wont go!!!!! But this help alot after using this it does help to lossen up the blackhead and it’s not drying at all, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Twitter: paris_b
November 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Thank for sharing! Good to know it works for oily skin too
The clay mask sounds nice! I have oily skin and even I stay away from drying clay masks. It’s never good to strip the skin completely of oil, right?
But hmm, it’s hard to believe that mascara could be a best seller! lol I believe we have *one* free-standing Tony Moly store somewhere in Tokyo, but I’ve never been. I heard they make nail polishes as well.
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Twitter: paris_b
November 15, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Yes can’t over strip our skin of its oils or we’d age like a prune
I do find that a mud mask now and then is quite useful for cleaning out the pores but I like the one from Kiehl’s because it just feels like it does a good job albeit a little drying if you don’t follow up with skincare. I’m just told that we have a Tony Moly store here too but it’s so obscure I didn’t even know 
Oh I just received 3 sachets of the mask from my reader. Tried once and LOVE IT!!!!!! thinking of grabbing a tub!!! XD Thanks for the review!!
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Twitter: paris_b
November 16, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Great to know it works for you too! I like that it is not drying
Innisfree is my fave korean skincare brand, they should open a store in KL soon
On my last trip to Korea, I think the Volcanic range was just launched so I didn’t give it much thoughts because I was crazy about their Olive Real range, particularly the lotion. I’ll definitely will look for this product when I’m in Korea next time.
My fave product of theirs is the Apple Juicy Brightening Peeling Gel (works like Ginvera’s Marvel Gel) for quick exfoliation in the morning. The ‘toing toing’ feeling after using it always perks up my dull skin day haha. I really recommend this product.
http://www.sugarhighthingies.com/Innisfree/cleansing/2048
I’m also using their 02 Pore Care Mask. Apply the gel over your face and 1 min later it will turned into small bubbles which gives tingling feeling~ it’s so quirky and weird. Haba has a mask like this too but innisfree is the cheaper version and works well for me.
http://iheartkoreanbeauty.mybigcommerce.com/innisfree-02-pore-mask-pack/
Eeeps~~ the mascara (0-0) I’ll stick to my Max Factor’s thank you very much. Tony Moly’s product doesn’t appeal to me at all, I like plant based skin care products, which is why Innisfree is my fave. I think the only memorable product of Tony Moly is the snail cream, I saw Chinese women buy these in bulk. Aiyaiyai, things we do to be beautiful!
Twitter: paris_b
November 16, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Thanks for sharing! I did subsequently read that Innisfree is one of the ‘better’ brands to have come out of Korea. I hope they open up here so I can give them a go
I love clay masks! I use them very sparingly though, so not to wreak havoc on my sensitive skin. Currently, I’m using Queen Helene’s Julep Mint Masque and it works wonders. I might try that one once my supply ends.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to buy some Asian beauty brands roll on January!
Innisfree is my favor brand too, especially for red wine jelly sleeping pack and
Oliva real cream My skin is very dry and it is improved after using the cream. I like the red wine sleeping pack as I just leave it on the face overnight and my skin become smoothly in the morning.
Doris
I’ve been looking into trying the Innisfree Jeju mask for a while! Thanks for your review! It’s helped my decision =]