5 Iconic K-beauty Brands Established by Women

Hey Cherubs, it's time to celebrate International Women's Day! It's a special occasion where we honour and recognise the incredible achievements of women in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. In the K-beauty industry, there are so many awesome leading brands that were founded by women and are supported by beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Let's dive in and get to know more about these fantastic brands!

TIRTIR

Established in 2016 by Korean beauty influencer Lee Yubin, the brand has undergone swift expansion, evolving into a global enterprise propelled by the acclaim of its cushion foundations and skincare collections. TIR, derived from "Trust + In + Radiance," is dedicated to delivering safe products that amplify the skin's inherent glow, aspiring to earn your trust as a brand through scrupulous ingredient selection.

TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion SPF40 PA++ (18g) 3 Shades - £24.00

The TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion, celebrated in Japan, offers exceptional high-coverage and long-lasting moisture, giving a flawless semi-matte finish with a natural glow for up to 72 hours. Its lightweight formula, featuring air-layered powder, reduces excess facial oil for a consistently smooth complexion. Enriched with Niacinamide, Propolis Extract, and Adenosine, it brightens the complexion and minimises wrinkles and fine lines.

TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule (40ml) - £36.00

TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule is a luxurious vegan treatment that instantly brightens and hydrates your skin while repairing damage and addressing dryness. With its unique blend of approximately 37% Vegan Milk Complex and six types of ceramides, it enhances elasticity, deeply moisturises, and fortifies the skin barrier for a radiant, healthy complexion without greasy residue.

SOME BY MI

SOME BY MI was founded by Lee Ji Eun, coinciding with an increasing trend and heightened demand for natural, organic, and vegan beauty products. The brand's name is a fusion of "something" and "by a miracle," intertwined with "mi," symbolising "beauty" in Korean. The brand offers a wide range of skincare products that address skin concerns such as acne and signs of ageing with innovative formulations, and it has received numerous beauty awards in Korea.

SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner (150ml) - £18.00

Ideal for acne-prone skin, this award-winning toner contains exfoliators (AHA, BHA, and PHA) that gently remove dead skin, impurities, and excess sebum, leaving skin clear and healthy. With Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel, it fights acne, soothes skin, and controls oil levels effectively.

SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum (30ml) - £29.00

Experience the viral anti-ageing serum that enhances skin elasticity, prevents fine lines, and rejuvenates the skin with powerful ingredients like Retinol, Retinal, and Bakuchiol. Its unique formula deeply penetrates the skin to prevent sagging, improve texture, and soothe irritation, while its gentle, lightweight formula makes it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

IUNIK

IUNIK, founded in 2017 by Michelle Kim, stemmed from her struggles in finding suitable skincare for her sensitive skin. The brand presents an affordable and effective skincare range using hypoallergenic ingredients, designed to address common skin concerns like acne, pigmentation, and dehydration with gentle formulas.

IUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum (50ml) - £15.00

Experience the IUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum, delivering calming, moisturising, and soothing benefits to your skin with its 67% Tea Tree Leaf Water and 19.5% Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, soothing acne and blemishes while enhancing skin elasticity for a radiant complexion. Enriched with 6 Patented Sprout Vegetable Extracts and Niacinamide, the serum shields the skin from external aggressors and diminishes pigmentation and dark spots.

IUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil (200ml) - £16.00

The IUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil effectively removes heavy makeup and impurities without drying out the skin with its nutrient-rich formula featuring Calendula Flower Extract. The added Jojoba Seed Oil helps maintain clear, smooth skin by targeting whiteheads and blackheads, while Sunflower Seed Oil keeps the skin hydrated during cleansing.

HARUHARU WONDER

Established by Jae Won Jeong, HARUHARU WONDER represents a Korean lifestyle skincare brand that embodies the ethos of "everyday wonder." Derived from Korean, "Haruharu" signifies "day by day," reflecting the brand's commitment to authentic beauty through consistent skincare practices. They are committed to sourcing the most beneficial superfood ingredients, including Black Rice, Maqui Berry and Honey Green Tea, to improve your skin's well-being progressively.

HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil (150ml) - £18.99

This 95% natural cleansing oil deeply refreshes skin without irritation, enriched with Rice Bran Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil for hydration and nourishment, strengthening the skin barrier. Utilizing WONDER’s U.D.T patented technology, fermented black rice delivers antioxidants and anti-ageing benefits, penetrating deeply into the skin.

HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream (20ml) - £15.00

This silky eye cream brightens skin, reduces wrinkles, and boosts elasticity with its key ingredients: 2,000ppm fermented Black Rice Extract for dark circles and 5,000ppm Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to Retinol.

ROM&ND

ROM&ND is a Korean cosmetics brand founded in 2016 with the collaboration of celebrity makeup artist and renowned YouTuber Saerom Min, also recognised as "Gaeko" on her channel. The brand specialises in trendy makeup creations to help achieve your desired look, especially their best-selling functional lip tints that offer beautiful colours that last all day.

ROM&ND Glasting Melting Balm 3.5g (9 shades) - £12.90

The ROM&ND Glasting Melting Balms, celebrated as global best-sellers, achieve cult-favorite status for creating irresistibly juicy lips with their smooth water-based glow. This 3-in-1 balm provides a dewy gloss finish, vibrant tint, and a protective film to retain moisture, featuring an optimal wax-oil blend for comfortable, buildable coverage all day.

ROM&ND Better Than Palette Secret Garden 02 Mahogany Garden (7.5g) - £24.00

The ROM&ND Better Than Palette Secret Garden 02 Mahogany Garden features 10 carefully curated brown shades inspired by the deep, woody colour of Mahogany, suitable for all skin tones. With both matte and glitter finishes, it offers a versatile range from light beige to deep umber for captivating eye looks.