Be warned: you’ll be convinced next.

My skin, like most people, has been through a lot since my teenage years. From a pimple-infested forehead to throbbing cystic acne riddled on my chin and jawline, my poor skin has taken a toll. Although thankfully birth control has taken away most of that acne, I was left with stubborn hyperpigmentation that would take months to years to get rid of. Until, that is, I discovered my two favorite Korean beauty products that made me believe in the power of roses–specifically, Damask roses. Damask roses, which are from a valley located in Bulgaria, are rare and valuable, and for good reason.

Roses have a long history of being used in both skincare and makeup. One of the most notable uses by Cleopatra in Ancient Egypt in the form of rose-infused milk baths to seduce Marc Anthony. Not only does this beloved beauty ingredient smell good, it’s jam-packed with skin benefits that range from wrinkle-fighting regenerative properties to antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that makes it a beloved ingredient among both dry and oily skin types. 

Among all of the benefits, my favorite one is the anti-blemish properties that help lighten those hyperpigmentation spots and acne scars that seemingly would not budge. Damask roses contain a high concentration of Vitamin C and A–two key ingredients we usually incorporate into our beauty routines to help fade dark spots. No wonder roses work so well fading my scars!

If you’ve read this far, then you understand why roses are my star skincare ingredient. Now it’s time to introduce you to two of my favorite life-changing K-beauty skincare products that contain Damask rose: Mamonde’s Rose Water Toner ($16 USD) and iSOi’s Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum Plus ($37 USD).

I first encountered Mamonde’s Rose Water Toner while I was living in Korea as an exchange student. I ran out of whatever toner I was using at the time, and was in the market for a new one. Walking into the nearest beauty store from my dorm, I hurriedly picked out a toner that I could get the most bang for my buck as a poor college student–500ml toner? This seems like a no-brainer. I’ll take it. Made with “90% real rose water from 100% real Damask roses,” this toner promises to “soothe and hydrate as it preps your skin for the next steps in your beauty regimen.”

My first impression after I dumped a good amount on my cotton pad was that it smelled like I just dunked my entire face in a rose bath. Usually I’m against strongly-scented products, but this just gave me a sense of comfort and I immediately wanted to soak my entire face in it. As I wiped it across my entire face, my taut, post-washed skin felt like it was instantaneously plumped back to life, as if a thirst was quenched. My skin was soothed, calmed, and hydrated with just one use. With regular use, I noticed my skin became less oily, more supple, brighter, and my serums and creams absorbed so much better. Five years in, and I still haven’t found a better toner.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that when I discovered the iSOi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum Plus, my life quite literally changed. According to the website’s description, it claims to “improve uneven pigmentation, clarifies blemishes, and reduces dark spots” while hydrating and soothing redness. It did exactly that. What took me 2 months to lighten blemishes with Mamonde’s Rose Water Toner alone, now took 2-3 weeks (I was shook, to say the least). 

This clear, gel-like serum seemed too good to be true. It absorbs right into the skin, barely leaving a trace minus the light rose scent. It feels like it’s not really doing much for your skin upon initial use, but do not be fooled. You will see gradual yet clear results with this potent serum. I remember I looked in the mirror one day, and was in disbelieve that I couldn’t pin-point exactly where my acne scars were from my last bout of period zits. My skin was noticeably evened out and looked healthy, plump, and the best it’s ever been.

If by now you aren’t convinced that roses are nature’s perfect gift to our skin, then I suggest you try these products for yourself. Even if you are convinced, I highly recommend incorporating these two into your beauty routine–you’ll thank me later. 

You can purchase the Mamonde Rose Water Toner at Ulta and the iSOi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum Plus on the official iSOi website.

You probably have never heard of them.

While K-beauty is now a booming market overseas with the introduction of big name brands like Amore Pacific, Innisfree, Tony Moly, and Dr. Jart, it still paints a very narrow picture of the Korean beauty market in its entirety. Here are some of Korea’s most-loved drugstore beauty brands that have yet to gain traction internationally, but I definitely think should be receiving the hype.

1. Clio

I can confidently say that Clio is one of my favorite K-beauty brands that consistently puts out some of the highest-quality products in the complexion, eyes, and lip department. I’ve been using their products for at least 8 years now and to this day I’m a firm believer that they have the best concealer and liquid pen liner. Their Kill Cover Liquid Concealer hides all my blemishes and dark circles, no matter how dark, leaving me with a soft-matte finish and even canvas. When I first discovered their Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner, I bought at least 5 to hoard so I would have one whenever I ran out. This liquid liner beats out any other liquid liner that I’ve tried in terms of lasting power, opaqueness, and ease of use. 

1. lilybyred

A fairly newer indie brand, lilybyred has taken Korean drugstores by storm. Famous for their long-lasting line of lip tints, eyeliners, and mascaras, I had to try it out for myself when I was in Korea. I bought a matte lip tint, gel pencil liner, liquid pen brush liner, and mascara. After regular use, I can definitely say that these products do not budge. They are meant to last you through the day and into the night, staying flawless put on your face with zero transfer and smudging. It does make it a little tough to take off at night, but I like my products waterproof and smudge-proof so it’s well worth the (tiny) struggle at the end of the day.

1. Peripera

Peripera is a sister brand to Clio, so you shouldn’t expect any less quality. Don’t be fooled by the cute, almost toy-like packaging–these products pack a powerful punch. Their signature products are all part of their Ink line, which span from lip tints, mascaras, foundations, concealers, eyeshadows, and more. Their most popular Ink Velvet, Ink Cloud Velvet, and Ink Airy Velvet lip tints are a staple in almost every Korean woman’s beauty pouch.

Please keep them coming Riri.

Just a week after announcing that she’ll be releasing Fenty Beauty’s first-ever mascara, Rihanna decided to bless us with a brand new product–Flypencil Longwear Eyeliner.

Coming in 20 eye-catching matte, glitter, shimmer, and metallic shades, these twist-up eyeliners are “smudge-resistant” and “water-resistant,” providing stunning color with lasting power that has our hearts throbbing.

According to the website’s description, the formula is “ultra-smooth and creamy,” so you’ll be able to finesse and blend your lines just in time before it sets into a fade-proof and transfer-proof formula. If that doesn’t sound like a perfect eyeliner, I don’t know what is.

This product is a direct result of Rihanna’s love of experimenting and playing with her eye makeup. She quotes, “Eyeliner is one of my favorite things to get creative with, and this color range is dope. I’m obsessed with playing with all the shades and finishes for different looks.”

Flypencil Longwear Eyeliner will be priced at $22 each and will be available along with the Full Frontal Volume Lift & Curl Mascara starting January 16 at Fenty Beauty’s website, Sephora, #SephoraInJCP, Harvey Nichols, and Boots UK.