new korean eyeshadows

I'll admit -- I'm a bit of a makeup snob, but I love Korean drugstore ("road shop") eyeshadows. They're often as cheap as $3, great quality, and rendered in every natural yet beautifying shade imaginable, from pinks and peaches to nudes and lilacs.

Because shimmery eye makeup is ubiquitous among K-Pop stars, Korean brands also excel at glittery eyeshadows. Meet my new I-want-this-in-every-shade item: Aritaum Shine Fix Eyes ($7). It was a bit tricky to capture their full otherworldly glory on camera, but trust me, they literally glisten. I've never really seen anything like them. Buy them and thank me later~

(left to right) No. 21 and No. 22, swatched lightly and heavily

No. 21 Flower Sands is white/translucent with extremely fine red, pink, and yellow reflects, which translates to a warm, golden sheen. When worn alone, it subtly brightens the lids, but doesn't really translate as a stark white unless applied very heavily. I love patting it lightly over another eyeshadow to add a bit of interest without altering the original color.

No. 22 Cinnamon Rose is a light golden pink with rose gold and silver shimmer. This has become one of my all-time favorite eyeshadows! I've worn it almost 85% of the days I've worn makeup for the past two months because it's the perfect your-lids-but-better shade that's brightening but also subtly defining.

The spongy, powder-cream texture (similar to the Maybelline Dream Bouncy blushes) makes applying these a breeze. There's also zero fallout! I used to be a huge fan of Makeup Forever Diamond Powder ($25), but I haven't touched mine since I've gotten these. I'd say the glitter is just as refined as MUFE's, for a fraction of the price (these are also infinitely less messy and last all day). Like the L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadows, the Aritaum Shine Fix Eyes come with an inner lid that presses the product down and, I presume, keeps it from drying out. I've lost one of mine, and the product has shrunk (!), but it still feels and performs normally.

Aritaum's extensive Mono Eyes range ($5-6) spanning more than 100 eyeshadows is also fantastic, though not completely free of duds. My favorites are the pressed glitters, but I got some matte shades this time. Though they're matte, these have a slight sheen that prevents them from looking too flat.

No. 61 Earth is a light taupe-tan with barely-there gold shimmer that's virtually undetectable once applied. The formula is similar to Urban Decay matte eyeshadows. It's not as richly pigmented and buttery as something like the Laura Mercier matte shadows, but I almost prefer it that way, as it's more versatile. I've used Earth virtually every day -- in the crease, on the cheekbones and jawline for subtle contouring, and through the brows with a tinted brow gel (I have blonde hair).

No. 69 Magenta, contrary to its name, is a beautiful caramel shade. It's a lot more buttery and pigmented than Earth, and I'd say it's pretty enough to wear on its own.

Etude House Look At My Eyes ($3-4) can be sort of hit or miss, but are still generally good, especially for the price.

PK007 Peach, not Pink (피치못할 핑크) is a golden peachy-pink with gold shimmer. Though it's highly pigmented and buttery, I think it's missing that last 1% to make it truly special; I don't really reach for it often. Also, Etude House also has another shade called Rose Tea (a bright matte pink) under PK007, so make sure you don't get confused.

PP503 Taro Milk Tea is very aptly named; it looks exactly like taro milk tea, though a little more pastel. I haven't really seen many Western brands do shades like this, and it's a pretty, brightening way to wear color subtly. It has a satin finish.