My attempt at the YesStyle Glow Up Makeup Challenge using K-beauty products they sent me. I am the first to admit I’m not a makeup artist – but it was genuinely fun, and some of these products are seriously good. Use Code NEVEEN15 at YesStyle for an extra 2% to 5% off every order – and it stacks with their monthly coupon codes for up to 15%+ off in total.
What I picked, and what I had to fill in myself
YesStyle let me choose my own products for this, which is the good bit. The less good bit is that the blush I picked never turned up in the order, and there was no concealer or bronzer in what I’d chosen either. So a few things in this look came out of my own stash and I’ve said which ones.
Worth setting expectations here. I’m not a makeup artist, I’m not especially good at makeup, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. What follows is what I thought of each thing while putting it on my face badly.
Missha Cover Lasting BB Cushion, shade 21
Sleek thin compact, applicator included, and shade 21 because that’s what I used to be in the old Missha BB cream in the dark red packaging.
It’s a bit dark on me now. Here’s where I actually sit if it helps you shade match: NC15 in MAC currently, somewhere between Ecru and Bone in Estee Lauder Double Wear, and Fair or Fair Ivory in IT Cosmetics. I used to be an NC20, but I’ve been indoors so much that every foundation I own is now too dark for me.
On the face it sat noticeably darker than my neck and chest. I’ve matched shade 21 in other Missha products before, so I’m hopeful it’ll be right again once I’ve got some colour back.
I always start on my cheeks with any base, because that’s where the rosacea is and that’s where I want the coverage.
This is meant to be the matte, fuller coverage cushion, and I came out shiny. I’d moisturised heavily beforehand and I’ve got a very oily t-zone anyway, so honestly I shouldn’t have been surprised. There is a more moisturising version in the range if you want the opposite, and note the line was reformulated and re-released at some point, so the formula and shades aren’t identical to the older ones.
The Saem Saemmul Luminous Multi Highlighter, 02 Gold Beige
Multiple shades in one compact that you swirl together, and if that sounds familiar it’s because it’s very reminiscent of the Guerlain Meteorites.
It even has the light violet scent. Not as strong as the Guerlain though, so if you found that one a bit much this might suit you better. It’s also considerably cheaper.
Swatched, it’s very light and very natural. I couldn’t see a single speck of glitter in it, which I liked. It’s subtle enough that I think you could genuinely use it as a finishing powder rather than a highlighter, same way people use the Meteorites, and I might try that.
There’s a lighter pink version too. I went gold beige.
RiRe Luxe Liquid Eyeshadow, Honey Ginger
Doe foot applicator, and the shade is exactly what the name says, a golden amber ginger.
Two things you need to know before you use it. It has a cooling effect going on, which made my eyes go a bit red at first because my eyes are genuinely very sensitive. And it dries down fast. Really fast. Do one eye at a time and work quickly, because you will not get a chance to blend it once it’s set.
It layers well though. A second coat built it up nicely rather than going patchy.
I’m very into a one-and-done eyeshadow, so this is squarely my sort of thing, and it’s one of my favourites out of everything they sent. I’ll be buying other colours.
Merzy The First Gel Eyeliner, Amber Bronze
I only picked this because of a review on the YesStyle site. Someone said it was near enough a dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Amber Haze, and that was all it took.
My Amber Haze is in storage somewhere so I couldn’t hold them side by side, but from memory the colour is very close. I wore that Charlotte Tilbury one constantly as a get-ready-and-go shade, which is how I wear eyeshadow most of the time anyway.
It’s retractable, not sharpenable. I pulled the end off expecting a sharpener like the Marc Jacobs ones before I worked that out.
I put it along my lash line and smudged it out with a pencil brush, because precise eyeliner is beyond me and a smudgy look is what I go for regardless. There’s nothing stopping you using it as a tiny eyeshadow stick either.
A’pieu Skinny Brow Cara, Soft Brown
Another favourite, and one I’ll be repurchasing.
The spoolie is tiny, which is the whole point of a skinny brow product. Soft Brown might be slightly too cool-toned for me, though I’m not certain. There’s a decent range of shades and it isn’t expensive, so I’m planning to try a couple more and work out which one actually matches me. A lot of them were out of stock when I looked.
I went a bit heavy-handed applying it. Sisters, not twins.
The Saem Perfect Volume Mascara
Slightly curved wand. It went on fine and did the job, and I don’t have much more to say about it than that, so I won’t invent anything.
A’pieu Water Light Tint, Bitter Rose
The packaging is not the prettiest thing I own, but the colour is lovely. A proper pinky rose.
My lips were dry so I put a clear gloss on underneath first, which is worth knowing if yours are the same. It has a sweet fruity taste to it, a bit juice-like. I couldn’t place the fruit but it’s pleasant.
Since my blush never arrived, I used this on my cheeks as well. Applied it to my hand first and worked it in from there, and it did the job.
What I used from my own stash
For the under eyes, Charlotte Tilbury Colour Corrector in Light with Too Faced Born This Way concealer in Cream Puff over the top, applied with my fingers.
For bronzer, my Charlotte Tilbury Sculpting Glow in the light shade, which is one of my absolute favourites and has been for a long time. If you want the current Charlotte Tilbury discount, that’s on my Charlotte Tilbury discount code page.
Plus my own powder, because I set my under eyes and my t-zone every single time without exception.
The ones I’d actually buy again
The RiRe liquid eyeshadow and the A’pieu brow cara. Those two I’ll be repurchasing in other shades. The Merzy liner is the interesting one if you’ve been eyeing the Charlotte Tilbury it’s compared to.
And the finished look? I think I did an alright job. I’m not the best at this and I never claimed to be, but it was genuinely fun to play with.
FAQ
Is YesStyle a reliable place to buy K-beauty in the UK?
Yes. YesStyle is a well-established retailer for K-beauty and Asian fashion that ships to the UK. They stock a wide range of Korean skincare, makeup, and hair brands. Use code NEVEEN15 for an extra 2% to 5% off every order – stackable with YesStyle’s monthly coupon codes for up to 15%+ off in total.
What is the YesStyle discount code?
Use code NEVEEN15 at YesStyle for an extra 2% to 5% off every order. Stackable with YesStyle’s monthly coupon codes for up to 15%+ off in total. No expiry date.
More K-beauty
- 10 Korean Skincare Products That Helped My Rosacea
- HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Toner Review
- My Current Discount Codes – including NEVEEN15 for YesStyle
