I absolutely adore Korean beauty and skincare. This adoration is why I’m willing to put up with certain inconveniences that are often associated with KBeauty shopping - an overwhelmingly huge product selection, lack of ingredients (and even instructions) in English, and potential for counterfeit products. That’s why I was so excited when a new (to me) online retailer reached out. Be Mused Korea is an online store based in Seoul that curates (hand picks) their product offerings. They narrow down the overwhelming Korean beauty selection to the trusted brands and sell only products that are made in Korea, cruelty free and manufactured without controversial / harmful ingredients. A very VERY useful feature of their site is a full list of ingredients and instructions for each product in English. Yess! Following this link and using KBHOBBIT code will give you an extra 10% discount. The shipping worldwide is free on any order of $50 or more.
This is the package I received from Be Mused Korea:
Everything was carefully wrapped and nothing was damaged in transit. The handwritten note is a cute touch.
The products:
The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical pH Balancing Cleanser
I talked about this in my September empties video. It’s a 2-in-1 cleanser that starts out as a gel (and is used instead of a cleansing oil). When water is added, the gel turns to foam and serves as a foaming wash. I had a travel size of this, enough for a few uses. I liked it and it did cleanse the skin well. I took it on a mini getaway and was able to effectively remove even heavy sunscreen (which was mixed with sweat - yes, it was as attractive as it sounds. Oh how I dislike summer and its heat!).
The cleanser is made with 8 organic plants from the Jeju island and has a gentle pH level of 6.
The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream
I am a HUGE proponent of sunscreen. All day, every day, for all skin types and all ages. Whether you are concerned with skin cancer or photo aging, sun protection is a must (yes, even on cloudy days! Yes, even if you are indoors, as long as you have windows that aren’t UVA proof).
Because I’m such a heavy sunscreen user, I buy a lot of sunscreens and have a large body of experience to reference (you can read my sun protection reviews here). So how does The Pure Lotus one stack up?
It offers the SPF50+ PA++++ (the highest possible) protection - that’s great. The formula is vegan. In addition to the SPF ingredients, The Pure Lotus Sun Cream also features 8 organic plants: Lotus Leaf, Aloe Vera Leaf, Green Tea, Rice, Tangerine Peel, Rosemary, Lotus Root, and Cactus Fruit.
This is a chemical filter sunscreen (as opposed to mineral filtered ones). It has a nice texture and a pronounced scent. The scent doesn’t linger too long after application. I’ve even noticed a slight firming effect after use. The makeup wear isn’t affected and there’s no white cast or shine. I typically steer toward mineral filters, but this one is a good option for those who prefer the finish and feel of the chemical ones.
The Pure Lotus Sheet Masks
These are currently not part of the Be Mused Korea offerings. They are considering adding them to their lineup and have asked me to evaluate the masks to help them with the decision process (how cool is that? This might just go to my head!).
Each mask is a two step product. The first step is a prep pad (like a toner pad), and the second step is a naturally pink lotus sheet mask saturated in serum. I liked these a lot. While I always keep a bottle of toner in each bathroom, for travel purposes the inclusion of the prep pad is very convenient.
The mask material was very thin and soft and adhered well. My skin drank up the serum and there was no sticky residue. It’s hard to talk about any long term results from a couple of applications, but my initial feelings are very positive.
The verdict:
I was impressed with the quality of the products, careful packaging, and the handwritten note. Looking around on the website, I immediately noticed that it’s easier to navigate than most of the other Korean beauty online shops that I’ve used. The selection isn’t as large, which can be both a good thing (curated products, not as overwhelming) and a drawback (not a one stop shop if you want to restock on your favorite KBeauty drugstore brands). Instructions and ingredients in English are absolutely priceless! Take a look and see what you think.
Let’s connect - check out my YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook group. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
This review is not sponsored.