How do you like your beauty served? A scoop of Shu Uemura in your bento, perhaps? Or a dollop of Dr. Jart in your dol so? Either way, the East serves up beauty dishes we can’t deny.

Not just O-K-Beauty, innovation from Seoul and beyond has been endemic. For Koreans, skin is paramount. The word “ssang ul” translates to naked face, and such a tenet is keynote to K-Beauty. As a result, Korea has been a beauty breeding ground of skincare breakthroughs. Our rather addictive preoccupation with masking, for example, hails from the land of bibimbap and BBQ, as too BB cream, CC cream and the cushion, now staples we cannot live without. Then of course, more kitsch revelations; snail mucus, bird’s nest extract, camel milk, egg yolk and the like – all which promise the beauty world, wrapped up in the clinquant and corny (but oh-so cute).

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And whilst the Koreans have left an indelible mark on the way we perceive and digest beauty, the Japanese have been steadfast with their streamlined and effective approach. Unwavering when it comes to ritual and routine, it is the beauty ritual of a Japanese woman, which, in part, her flawless skin is indebted to. But stalwarts SK-II and Shu Uemura also play a great part, with Shisedo added into the sumo ring of beauty.

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The oven mitts are off – choose your flavour wisely, and Kanpai or Geonbae accordingly.

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Beauty Bento Box:
Left, top to bottomPickled Ginger: Tatcha Gold Spun Camelia Lip Balm, $44.
Pink Pickled Ginger: Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Colour in Nobara Pink, $45.
Wasabi: Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Colour in Hisui Green, $45.
Matcha: Tatcha The Deep Polish Rice Enzyme Powder, $94.
Rice: sephora collection Face Konjac Cleansing Sponge, $12.
Teriyaki Sauce: Naris Up Pore Clear Pack Eggshell Essence And Charcoal, $8.

Middle, top to bottomAssorted Sushi and Sashimi (left to right):
Anti/Oxi+ Cleansing Oil 150ml, $58. 
Chroma Cleansing Oil 150ml, $50.
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil 150ml, $68. 
Porefinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil 150ml, $50.
all Shu Uemura (items pictured are gift-with-purchase sizes).
Braised Daikon: Shiseido Waso Clear Mega-Hydrating Cream, $59.
Sushi Handrolls: Shu Uemura Ambush Perfecting Blotting Paper, $16. 

Right, top to bottomRice Vinegar: Shiseido Waso Quick Gentle Cleanser, $45.
Fish Soy Sauce: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 75ml, $100.

Beauty Bipimbap:
Clockwise from top

Spinach: Dr Jart Cicapair Derma Green Solution Serum, $63.
Kimchi: Neogen DermatolOgy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine Pads, $49.
Rice: The Face Shop Cleansing Sea Sponge, $3.
Egg: Tony Moly Egg Blackhead Steam Balm, $14.
Carrots: 16 Brand R U Lipstick in Orange, $23 (each).
Shitake: The Face Shop Konjac Jelly Cleansing Puff, $7

Far right, top to bottom
Mogwa-Cha: Quince Tea: neogen dermatology Real Flower Cleansing Water Rose, $49.
Korean BBQ Sauce: CAOLION Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo, $46.
Kochujang Sauce: Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish, $41

K-beauty supplied courtesy of Boniik
Credits:
Photography: Philip Le Masurier
Art Direction: Patti Andrews
Styling: Chrisanthi Kaliviotis and Patti Andrews