Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry

For the new year (at least in the first few months), you will be seeing lots (relatively speaking) of Korean products here on this blog/ my shopper's diary.  It wasn't a sudden change of taste or preference. It's just that back in 2016 I casually, unintentionally and regretfully bought lots of KBeauty product when the Kbuzz was everywhere. Now two years later I shall just get the reviews out and learned to become more critical before falling for those online hype.

Long before Laneige ventured into America, I have heard of this brand because it has Mega-star Song Hye Kyo(she has been big in Asia since early 2000s) as their main spoke model. And while I always think of the fresh-faced actress whenever I see Laneige, I never associate her beautiful complexion with this brand (We all know it's genetics, diet, lifestyle and dermatologist visits).

 Fast Forward to 2016, Laneige not only became available on mainstream platforms such as Amazon and Sephora, it's can also be found on all the Aritaum stores that's at different Chinatowns and malls. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is one of their star products and I got it while I was browsing on Amazon. It's a rich lip balm that can be used overnight (sleeping mask just sounds so much more special). I first got attracted by it's simple yet distinct packaging with the blushed tone tub and frosted (plastic) finish.  It's different from the kindergarten styled drugstores line yet not old lady like Whoo or Sulwasoo. 

The whole tub is hefty enough without taking too much space. It somewhat makes up for the somewhat unreasonable $20 US retail price. Actually even with the design, it shouldn't be more than $12. 

The artificially sweet lip balm is creamy, melt to the touch and coats the lips (in a rich layer) easily. The oil balm formula is comforting and moderately moisturizing that it plumps way dry lines very quickly, perfectly suitable for prepping the lips right before makeup. I feel like it's too slippy that it can shift off mouth or get rubbed away very easily when I used overnight. 

 The berry bubblegum taste isn't exactly faint but it doesn't bother me too much (it's another thing that keeps me from wearing it overnight as I prefer something that's smells simpler or more natural). 

Overall, among all the KBeauty products I impulse bought, Laneige lip mask is indeed one of the better performing ones...It's still not as amazing as it was hyped up to be, given the product itself feels very similar to and no better than potted balm like Nivea Raspberry Rose, Victorias Secret Beauty Rush  and NYC lip slider. I thought KBeauty is  supposed to be 7 (10 or is it 12) years ahead of industries elsewhere? Who the heck made up all these numbers? 

So, I like it to use it more than once (but still find it overpriced) but I can still name several other lip balms I would be using nightly instead (Nowadays I use Bite lip mask or Fresh lip balm as they are more convenient and hydrating Smith Rose Salve and Paw Paw lip ointment are just as effective).

Oh it also comes with this adorable pink spatula with its own little pouch (it took me no time to misplaced them).