The Laneige Face

I have been reading good reviews on Laneige, the Korean skincare and make-up brand that is being endorsed by Korean top actress, Song Hye Kyo.

Song Hye Kyo, the face of Laneige

Song is so flawless in the blockbuster, That Winter The Wind Blows, where she played a blind heiress who fell in love with a con artist (played by the sooo handsome Jo In Sung) who impersonated her dead older brother.  Her feeble condition in the soap did not prevent Song's beauty from shining.  She used Laneige make-up in the entire filming of TWTWB.

Jo In Sung and Song Hye Kyo in That Winter The Wind Blows

The Laneige make-up line used by Song in That Winter The Wind Blows

The viral unedited picture of Song Hye Kyo while being made up with Laneige lipstick

Song uses the entire Laneige skin care line to keep her skin look youthful, radiant and filled with moisture all day.  Laneige skin care boasts of crystal snow essence from the Himalayas that moisturizes the skin like water all day and all night;

  Song uses the Water Bank Essence from the Waterful Sharing Campaign Limited Edition

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Ex (limited Edition from the Waterful Sharing Campaign) is the best nutrition for skin at night 

Another ad of the Water Sleeping Pack Ex, one of the bestsellers of Laneige skincare products

White Plus Renew line, whitening care with hydration

White Plus Renew Original Essence

Since the efficacy of my existing skincare and make- up brands have been wearing out, or am I getting tired of them? I finally decided to splurge on Laneige, anyway my birthday and Christmas are nearing. I want to have a more radiant skin on these occasions. I have read in one blog that there's this Korean classmate of the author whose skin is to die for and uses Laneige.

I searched the web for Laneige branches in the Philippines and the nearest to me is the one in Shangrila Mall in Edsa. I first tried to contact Laneige through their phone numbers but the numbers seem to be not in use. So, I just went to Shang and found out that the former spot of Laneige near Debenhams had been vacated. I was frustrated and thought Laneige should have notified the public of the relocation. I asked around but the people from several stores in Shang also didn't know where Laneige transferred. Well, I should have felt totally bad, but my desire to purchase the 'talked about' product prevailed. I thought, if Laneige is so good then it's worth chasing after. And I want to have that 'to die for' skin.

Song Hye Kyo's 'to die for' skin

Since I'm already out and I didn't want to waste my time, I went to Robinson's Galleria, as i recalled my sister mentioned before that there's Laneige in Galleria. The Information Desk lady told me Laneige is in the 2nd floor, in front of The Face Shop and Dorothy Perkins. I was relieved, finally I've found Laneige.

So, up I went to 2nd floor, I passed by The Face Shop and did not see Laneige. A bit of disappointment pinched my ire, " is it really here?". I asked the girls from the beauty kiosks in the middle of the isle. They pointed Laneige to me. Oh! That's why I did not see Laneige at once, because I pictured it on my mind as the boutique it was in Shang in the web pictures. Now, it's just a kiosk. But don't be deceived, the products are pricey.

The Laneige kiosk in Robinson's Galleria carries the entire skincare line

The kiosk bears the face of its star endorser, Song Hye Kyo

Laneige has skincare line for men too 

The Sales Associate, Shelly Cura, was friendly and accommodated me for a make-up trial inside the kiosk, I especially requested it inside so no passers-by could watch me.

The Laneige make-up rack filled with snow crystal-infused products

Shelly did my make-up in the following order:
1. She removed the make-up on my face and applied a water-based moisturizer.
2. After the moisturizer has evaporated, she applied Snow Crystal BB Cushion on my entire face. I first thought that it was a powder foundation, but it is a liquid foundation in a compact case. Nice packaging!
3. Dabbed some loose powder over the BB foundation to seal it.
4. As final powder, using a sponge dabbed pressed powder over my face.
5. Applied blusher on my cheeks with a combi shades of pink palette.
6. Tried many lipstick shades on me. Finally, a natural pink lip shade became me. Shelly revealed that the lipstick shade I preferred is the shade Song Hye Kyo was wearing in her ad for Snow Crystal BB Cushion.
7. Curled my lashes with a volumizing mascara.

Shelly did not fix anymore my brow since it's already defined with a brown shade, and the brow kit tester she has was left with black shade, not good as black brows tend to make one look older. Also, she did not fix my eyeshadow anymore.

Finally, my Laneige make-up was done. I liked what I saw in the mirror. It was a clean, refreshing, glowing, poreless face. In fairness, my make-up was similar to Song Hye Kyo's-- simple yet more attractive. I even looked slightly like her (haha!)

Needless to say, I bought skincare sets and make-up sets of Laneige. Mostly the ones used during my make-up trial. Laneige is generous with freebies and samples. And I was satisfied with their customer service.

My Laneige make-up acquisitions

My Laneige 3-step skincare products 

Sliding Pact Ex White Plus renew, Satin Finish Loose Powder, Snow BB Cushion

To define and add color to my face: brow kit, Professional Selection Blusher, Luminous Pink lipstick, volumizing mascara

Laneige make-up cases are a piece of beauty with rainbow prisms, inspired by the merging of water and light 

Lipstick case is inspired by the color of crystal snow

Snow Crystal Intense Lipstick in Luminous Pink

My Laneige bag of skincare and make-up products with freebies

Presenting the Laneige freebies!

Laneige skincare samples: eye gel, sunblock, water sleeping pack, yogurt mask

Laneige Pour Homme skincare samples

And I got this limited edition elegant white Laneige luggage!

I asked Shelly and her pretty OIC, who looked Korean but she's pinay, how Laneige is pronounced. They pronounced it the way most people do--- Laneige (la-nei-j). Well, I don't care if Laneige is actually french for "the snow" and in France it is pronounced as Laneige (la-nezh). Since, if you say Lanezh in the Philippines, people are like hearing it quizzically, with eyes that tell "you're different". Well, nothing wrong to be beautifully different-- overall package. Of course, it starts with the face.  :D

I did not retouch my make-up from the time it was applied in the kiosk at noon and its freshness lasted 'til evening when I went out for dinner and movie. My face wasn't oily, just dewy, fresh, smooth and poreless. So, this must be the start of a face that's to die for? Hahaha!  So, I will live the Laneige face.

Song Hye Kyo's Laneige face

My Laneige face

My verdict on the Laneige products is written all over my face. :)))


Updates on Laneige store locations:
Shangrila boutique relocated as a kiosk at the 2nd floor of Robinson's Galleria, in front of The face Shop and Nine West
Trinoma boutique has been converted to a kiosk
There's boutique now in SM Aura in Taguig City
They will soon open in SM Megamall

Ask the Information Desk of the malls for exact location.