Store Visit + Top Picks: Banila Co's new boutique in Trinoma

Features

Aug 24

Banila Co is one of our favorite Korean brands here on PV. From taking on their 7-day sheet masking challenge to discussing how their best-selling Clean It Zero works as a gentle makeup remover, there’s been plenty for us to explore about K-beauty with the brand. We actually learned quite a few tips from their brand ambassador Cho Heena and we’re constantly fangirling over their celebrity frontrunner, K-Pop idol Taeyeon! The hype is real so we definitely don't want anyone to miss the opportunity to try out their awesome products. Lucky you if you're a QC girl, because the brand has opened a store in Trinoma!

You'll find them near Chatime and across Mercury Drugstore on Level 1. They’ve got ample display space, so it was even more fun to shop and swatch! You'll find the #BestofBeauty here, but if you're not sure which products to check out, here's a rundown of the stuff we love so far!

From the bases, I got the It Radiant CC Cream SPF 30 PA++ (P1,215), which is the original version in the best-selling It Radiant CC line. The other versions feature sun protection or extra coverage. Because it's a CC cream, it doesn't offer much in the way of coverage but it's able to color correct redness and minor imperfections. If you need something heavier, Banila Co actually recommends using it under a BB cream or foundation.

It comes in only one shade and, as with most Korean brands, is on the lighter side. I find this useful for layering under darker foundations or those that tend to oxidize a couple of shades. I’ve tried using this as moisturizer, and my skin didn’t feel dry for the rest of the day. I also use this alone with a bit of powder to set, and while it evens out my skin tone, I still feel the urge to apply concealer after. This is a good product if you don’t need the coverage but would benefit from some color correction and love a glowy base!

For contour and highlight, the So Contouring Twin Stick (P895) immediately caught my eye. It is portable and comes with two shades that you can replace as needed. The one pictured here is the Shimmer and Contour combo, as I hoped to use the Shimmer end as a subtle highlight. There’s another variant that comes with two shades for Contouring, which might be better if you’d like a more defined contour. I find that this shade can easily disappear on my medium skin tone if not built up properly. A little contour powder on top deepens the shade while the Shimmer side adds a subtle glow, but if you’re a highlight lover like me, you might want to add some extra illumination on top. .

The Two Eyes Shadow (P675) comes with two complimentary shades in one pot that you can use together or separately. This shade is Seoul Holiday, which is a shimmery bronze and gold pair. It is highly pigmented and wears well even without eyeshadow primer. I can apply and blend it out with just my fingers, and it lasts all day with minimal creasing!

Swatches, from left: Kiss Collector Luster Lipstick in Squeeze Orange, It Radiant CC Cream SPF 30 PA++, So Contouring Twin Stick in Contour and Shimmer, Two Eyes Shadow in Seoul Holiday, Clean It Zero Radiance

From the pink and coral shades for the lips, the Kiss Collector Luster Lipstick in Squeeze Orange (P675) was my pick. It has that trending glossy lip finish that shows off the vibrant color and gives you that K-beauty vibe. And while it feels moisturizing on the lips, you have to remember to scrub beforehand as this lipstick gets caught up in any rough patches on your lips.

If you're considering switching to cleansing balms as your makeup remover of choice, you might want to give this Cosmo Beauty Awards 2017 Awardee, the Clean It Zero. While the pink classic is the most popular, there are other variants that address different concerns. The Clean It Zero Radiance (P1,090) is recommended for dry and dull skin. It has the same balmy consistency as the pink version but with the added effect of brightening.

It comes with a spatula stored in a tray on top of the container for hygiene purposes. One small scoop is enough to remove a full face of makeup, and yes, this can also remove waterproof mascara!

Instructions say to wipe the cleansing balm off with tissue or simply rinse with water. I find that it's still better to wash and cleanse afterwards, just as in a good double cleansing routine, and my skin still feels a bit balmy after.