K-beauty industry is a separate world with its own rules, so we decided to show you the best korean hair products from the cutest brands — keep scrolling for lucky finds!
From Tony Moly’s adorably packaged skincare products to Etude House’s natural look BB cream foundations and lip tints, even drugstores have started carrying K-beauty brands — it’s no wonder that Korean beauty product have taken off globally. One area of K-beauty that hasn’t gotten nearly enough credit are hair products.
The affordable prices and cute packaging more than make up for the often times incomprehensible directions. Which products are worth the hype? Whether you’ve mastered your 10 step Korean skincare routine or you’ve just started dabbling with your first Korean beauty box there are plenty of things you need to know about Korean hair care. We’re here to make it just a little bit easier to get started.
One of the easiest Korean beauty products to find in stores and use are sheet masks. They offer smoother, brighter skin in 30 minutes, and it doesn’t hurt that they make you look like you just stepped off a horror movie set. It does make for some pretty great selfies. Fellow sheet mask addicts — I have some good and bad news. Your addiction is about to get so much worse because sheet masks aren’t just for your face. These Korean hair masks feel like magic due to powerful punch of ingredients, and they’re super easy to use.
Photo: Etude House
We love Kocostar’s Hair Therapy mask. The rejuvenating bonnet comes soaked in herbal essences, amino acids, keratin and liquid elastin to make dry or damaged hair feel softer and healthier in just fifteen minutes. Just wear it after shampooing, then rinse your hair after use. Kocostar also makes a Split End Therapy mask with shea butter, olive oil and argan oil. Etude House’s Silk Scarf Essence Hair Cap is another great addition that will also make your hair silky soft.
Photo: Kocostar Hair Therapy
If there’s one thing Korean beauty brands aren’t afraid to be, it’s cute. Adorable, eye-catching packaging like this Tony Moly’s quirky mayonnaise-shaped hair nutrition pack bottle is commonplace. The overnight hair pack uses yolk extracts (hence the mayo) and shea butter to give you super soft hair when you wake up, and it absorbs like a styling cream so it won’t ruin your pillow.
Photo: @cosmopolitan_de
While many beauty brands go for a minimalist vibe with clean, sleek packaging (think Glossier), many K-beauty brands like Etude House and A’pieu aren’t afraid to embrace their whimsical side. Hair care shouldn’t feel like a chore and this fun packaging will remind you of dipping into your most exciting beauty supplies at junior high slumber parties.
Photo: @playetudeshop
If you’re a fan of Korean skin care products, then you’re familiar with the term essence. If not just think of it as a lightweight and slightly less concentrated serum of active ingredients and scents. There’s an essence for just about every hair care need. Try Skinfood’s Lychee Essence Mist to heal damaged hair and leave it smelling fantastic.
Photo: Skinfood
For instant shine, grab a bottle of Innisfree Camellia Essential Hair Mist. The best part of hair essences and serums (as it’s sometimes translated) are that there are endless options at affordable prices. Try a few out and find your favorite or mix and match to suit your hair’s needs throughout the week and boost hair growth.
Photo: @sixtashop
Not all Korean hair products are made from natural ingredients (in fact, sometimes they’re far from it). But, if you’re committed to using natural products on your hair, there are definitely K-beauty brands out there to meet your needs. Innisfree, established in 2000 was Korea’s first natural cosmetics brand and makes dozens of hair products. This Mint Green Tea Fresh Shampoo won’t just have your hair looking soft, but it’ll also leave it smelling refreshing as well and change your hair care routine forever. You don’t have to use dry shampoo, because organic and natural products leave hair fresh for a long time.
Photo: @indoindobeauty
Whamisa, an organic fermentation cosmetic brand, may be best known for natural facial mists and sprays, but they also make some fantastic natural hair treatment products, that will make dry and damaged hair feel healthy, soft and smooth again. There’re also effective Whamisa’s products for hair loss. Read reviews and you’ll want to shop this brand’s magic products asap.
Photo: Whamisa
In addition to the products mentioned above, here are a few more Korean hair care products that should be on your K-beauty brand wish list.
As their name suggests, Nature Republic utilizes natural ingredients. This hair pack contains argan oil, rose hip oil and evening primrose oil to nourish and repair deeply damaged hair.
Photo: Nature Republic
Sometimes you stay out all night and wind up with some nasty smelling hair that makes you wonder when you last visited a cigar lounge that also served pizza. A’Pieu’s adorably packaged Hair Mist spray is the solution, whether your hair is just a little or a lot funky. If you’re interested, check out our article about hair perfumes.
Photo: A’PIEU
Like Korean skincare, Korean hair care is often about keeping your hair as healthy as possible. These cute hair rollers are a gentle way to curl your hair without heat damage. It is one of the most favorite asian styling products ever!
Photo: Etude House
For those with perpetually scaly scalps, Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo is better than magic. The foamy exfoliating rosemary shampoo banishes chronic dandruff and eczema and feels so much more luxurious than an ordinary anti-dandruff brand.
Photo: Aromatica
Korean hair care is a large, competitive industry, which means this is just the tip of the iceberg. However, since most K-brands are affordable; it’s an easy world to explore. What Korean hair products have you tried? Which do you want to incorporate into your routine?
