Shara Shara Repairing Hair Essence Lotion Review

Today I'm reviewing Korean beauty brand Shara Shara's Hair Repairing Essence Lotion. The product label and the product's webpage here have have very little English, but here's what I got from it~ The backside states that this "Hair lotion cares damaged hair intensively with vegetable oil and protein ingredient."

The webpage and the rest of the label are in Korean. According to my friend, it says that you can use this product on both wet and dry hair, by combing the product through your hair. If your hair is wet, make sure to towel dry it first.

The product smells really good and sweet, like peach gummy rings. It is also smooth and a little runny. Looking at the photo, this is about how much one pump is. I use this much on about a five inch section of my hair, and clamp my palms together from the top of my hair and drag it to the bottom to fully disperse the product throughout my hair. I used a lot of this lotion on towel-dried hair, and after a few hours I noticed that the lotion left a sticky residue, like hair gel, all over my hair. It became really knotty and made my hair bothersome especially when I ran my fingers through my hair. The lotion had set my hair and was especially noticeable on my bangs. I think this product fits more as a light-hold hair gel that sets regular and light hairstyles and flyaway strands rather than fancy curls and buns. As for its repairing effects, I'm not sure how to test that. To recap:

The Pros

• The sweet, candy peach scent is heavenly.
• The lotion is smooth and runny on the hands rather than sticky, so it's mess-free.
• The lotion lightly sets hair, like a light-hold hair gel.

The Cons

• The lotion dries like a gel, making hair knotty and sticky (this can be a pro if you like hair gel).

Overall, this product is more of a nuisance since it makes my hair knotty and feels like someone had drenched my hair in soda; however, that is kind of how gel feels like as well, so if this product were labeled as a light-hold gel, I'd be more satisfied. The bottom line, the one con really outweighs the pros for me, definitely not making me a fan of the product.

Shara Shara Very Berry Sugar Body Scrub Review

I originally bought this scrub at one of the three Shara Shara boutiques in Myungdong, at 28,000₩ but with a sale of buy one, get one free (I talk about my purchase here). Shara Shara is a Korean cosmetic brand that isn't really known overseas, so its website is all in Korean so I couldn't get much out of its product page. Conveniently the description on the product itself is in well-written English.

The website advertises this product as a multi-use scrub that is also "all-in-one care" and uses real sugar. It uses five berries, which are blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, acai, and raspberry. It is a multi-use scrub that is all-in-one because it can be used to exfoliate your face, lips, and body. I have been using this scrub for a couple of months now and honestly I always thought it was solely for the body, as the name implies, so I'll have to test it out on my face and lips next time! Other included ingredients are sweet almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, safflower seed oil, some sort or orange oil, and honey.

Here is the container. The only English on the label states that it's a scrub "containing 5 kinds of berry extracts" and "removes dead skin cells and keep skin moist" (they were very close with having perfect English). Then there's lot of Korean information on the side, as well as the QR code to state that it's an official Shara Shara product.

The lid screws off, and then there is a white plastic cover underneath. The scrub is very pink but turns white as you rub it against your skin. It's full of sugar particles so it really feels like a deep cleansing scrub that removes dead skin cells.

Though I'm usually really frugal, when it comes to this scrub I think it's better to use more; if you use too little, the little amount spreads out over too big of a surface and gets washed away too easily, making it useless. So I usually use about this much (refer to the above picture) for each arm which is also equivalent to the amount I use for half of each leg. My skin feels soft and smooth afterwards (though my legs are a lost cause; nothing I do can make them smooth). Also it's best when there's no water in the scrub, because then it's more concentrated with the sugar; but throughout time water just naturally gets into the container since you're in the shower, and then it gets more saturated and you have to use more of the scrub for it to be more effective.

I finally tested the scrub on my face, and it works so well! Because the sugar is so fine, it exfoliates the face really well, but be mindful that it is a bit rough so it might be too powerful for your face. As for lips, it always seems hard using a scrub for your lips in general, so I'd just stick to a toothbrush to exfoliate your lips instead.

The Pros

• 200 grams of this scrub lasts awhile
• The scent is pleasant and smells like strawberry jam (but reminds me of those toy lip balms that little kids use)
• The scrub is rough and really exfoliates well
• It really is a multipurpose scrub, for the body and face
• The container is really durable; I dropped it in my shower from shoulder level and it survived the fall without a crack or scratch.

The Cons

• The packaging could be cuter? Though honestly it doesn't matter when the product itself is nice

Overall, I like this product and I'm most pleased about the roughness of the sugar and how it really feels like I'm exfoliating my skin. I'm definitely glad I ended up with two jars of this scrub since I love using it every day!

Infinite's L Shara Shara Endorsement Product Reviews

On my trip to Korea, I was able to attain some Shara Shara goodies for myself after visiting several locations and many failed attempts to get anything with Myungsoo on it for a reasonable price.

The older goodies are the two face mask sheets. They are the same product, but with a different image on the front. The backside even says that this is the mask that "perfect guy L recommends," but of course I could never use it!

The postcard on the left is also from the older promotion. The worker was nice enough to put my postcard in a protective plastic bag! The right postcard is from the latest promotions. It reminds me of the Infinite's Kimi Ga Ireba II normal version, the water photoshoot!

I also received a poster, which came very protected and rolled up. The poster is very glossy and thick, yet it's also fragile like card stock, so it was really easy to bend the edges when I was unrolling it. The image is the same as the postcard.

I also received a fan with an image from the same photoshoot, advertising for some product.

And lastly, I received this gorgeous shopping bag! It contains the photos from the older photoshoot. I love the white one so much; the feathers are just amazing.

During the last few days of my stay in Seoul, Shara Shara also had new mini standees as freebies, but I somehow resisted the urge.

Shara Shara Aloe Soothing Up Pure Girl Review

I admit, the name of this product isn't very descriptive as to what it actually is, and practically all else is written in Korean, but don't be turned off by it! An added bonus is that Myungsoo endorses this product! Shara Shara isn't such a huge brand so it's hard to find much information about their products in English online, but I'll try my best to thoroughly review this product.

This is 200 ml of product, surely enough to last quite some time. Also this product is 92% aloe vera, which sounds very promising for those with very dehydrated and sensitive skin.

If you're interested, here are pictures of the label:

This label has lots of information in Korean (which, sadly, I can't translate).

This middle section includes ingredients listed in English.

This last section has the QR code to prove that this is a certified, official Shara Shara product, as well as logistics about the company.

From the bottom, you can see that this container is full of aloe. The expiration date is also listed at the bottom; I'm surprised that this product has an expiration date printed, because many Korean cosmetics list only the manufacture date.

Surprisingly, I found a lot of information on this product's page on Amazon.com. Apparently, this product in an all-in-one deal. It can be used like a cooling pack, by storing it in the fridge and applying it to your skin for a refreshing and cooling effect. Or you can use it on your face or body to moisturize and hydrate dry skin, or your feet during humid days. Also it may be used as a sleeping pack for you face. And lastly, it can be used to treat damaged, dry and split hair by moisturizing it and creating shine. All of the other options sound accurate, but I'm not really sure if this product can actually be used for hair as well. It seems too good to be true, like the go-to product for any need. I won't actually be reviewing the cooling pack method (my family would mistake this as jello in the fridge), foot method (it's too cold now...this seems more like a summer idea), nor the sleeping pack method (since most of the aloe would end up on my bed sheets than seeping into my skin).

I've been constantly turning this container over and upside-down, which I don't recommend doing. The aloe has been seeping through the lid and is starting to come out between the lid and the container. There is also a sturdy, clear plastic inner lid to try and stop the aloe from leaking out. Currently the clear lid is still on, yet aloe is still coming out. Here, you can also see the large size of the container, as well as the translucency of the aloe.

Here is the clear lid. You can see the aloe on the lid is actually completely transparent. This may look like it has a jelly consistency, but really it's very watery.

The aloe melts on my skin almost instantly, and it was quickly dripping down my hand. Initially the aloe may feel a bit sticky, but the aloe absorbs into my skin in a matter of seconds and totally disappears. I'm surprised at just how quickly it dissolves and hydrates my skin, leaving my skin looking the same as before (meaning no shininess like from lotions), just more hydrated. The aloe also feels very light and after it's been absorbed, my skin doesn't feel the aloe at all.

I also applied a bit of aloe onto my split ends, but I'm not sure how it'll actually help mend them back together. The aloe only gave my hair that wet effect, like I'm using gel to style my hair.

The Pros

• There's a lot of aloe to last quite awhile!
• Aloe is great for very sensitive and dehydrated skin. It's also great for burns, though I have yet to try this product on a burn.
• I feel no irritation, only a refreshing effect due to the cooling powers of aloe, which can be amplified by leaving in the fridge.
• There is barely any stickiness and no greasy feeling at all, so I can freely use my computer or slip into my bed sheets without getting everything all moist with aloe.
• The aloe is so quick to hydrate!
• There is barely any scent, but if you sniff your skin, there is a refreshing aloe scent.
• When using on my face, it creates a healthy, matte finish.
• This product seems very versatile (for the body, for the face as a cooling pack, for the face as a sleeping pack, for hair repair [?]...).

The Cons

• The first few times may be a bit messy because of the excess product seeping everywhere.
• I'm still weary about using this as a hair treatment...maybe you'll have better luck in this department.

Overall, this is a great product to use when your skin is dry and in need of quick hydration. The super fast absorption time and non-stickiness are also very convenient for those in a rush. I'm not so sure about using aloe for my hair, but I'll definitely continue to use it on my face and body!

Shara Shara Aloe Pure Jelly Foam Review

Shara Shara is a Korean cosmetic company that isn't well known in the internet world, so I'm not able to provide much background on the brand or this product besides my thoughts of it.

This is one of Shara Shara's facial cleansers, the Aloe Pure Jelly Foam.  I have a thing for sea green and for matte finishes, so I quickly fell for the packaging despite being a basic 150 ml tube.  This tube is matte (not that it matters), and the substance inside is translucent aloe green.

The back has information in Korean, with a brief description in English that this foam cleanser has aloe to moisturize and clean your skin.  The QR code in the top right is to signify that this is a certified Shara Shara product.

Why does my hand always appear scorching red?  Anyways, the consistency is like aloe gel, but a lot more runny and diluted.  The solution is also very smooth and gentle, a plus for those with sensitive skin.  It's very translucent with just a slight green hue.  It smells light and refreshing, like lychee syrup or a mild hand sanitizer.  The amount in the photo is a good amount for my face, then I douse it with lots of water to create a white, foamy consistency.  To use, simply squirt the product in your palm, add lots of water, wash your face and rinse.

The Pros

• The foam easily washes off, leaving no soapy residue afterwards, just a clean face!
• I have combination-to-normal skin, and hours after using this wash my face is still normally and healthily dry.
• This foam is very gentle and smooth, so it's more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
• My skin has no irritation or discomfort during or after using this cleanser.
• The light aloe smell still lingers after washing.

The Cons

• Because this cleanser is more gentle and smooth, it's not a problem solver for those with target skin issues like acne.  I'll be using this product daily, along with my more medicated acne products.

Overall, I do like this product.  The mild scent and color are very refreshing, and my face does feel much cleaner afterwards.  I'll definitely keep using this as a daily cleanser.

Korean Beauty Brand: Shara Shara

Shara Shara is a Korean cosmetic brand that is fairly new (within the past few years) and has several locations in Seoul, mainly in Myungdong.  This brand is very girly, with its hot pink crown logo and slogan being "the romantic lounge for ladies."  Shara Shara seems more childish than competitors like Etude House and Holika Holika, because of its trademark cartoon girl figures (you'll know what I mean if you visit a store).  I, myself, have never been to Shara Shara, but would have definitely felt embarrassed stepping inside.  During the end of the summer, Shara Shara announced L as its latest and sole endorser.  I've honestly never heard of Shara Shara, so if it weren't for L, I would have never known about this brand.

I sent my mom on a mission while she was in Seoul: to go to Shara Shara and make a big enough purchase to get me all the L freebies. Honestly, Shara Shara is so smart to have L as their latest endorser; because of L, I'm buying so many Shara products without even caring about what they are.  Above are the freebies my mom received.

I received two hot pink pens with two padded, girly cartoon heads at the ends.  This is an example of the childish aspect of the brand. The backs of the heads say the brand and its slogan.

I also received a small pack of moist towelettes that, according to the back, can be used anywhere on the go.

And here is the one freebie I truly wanted the most: the doll!  There are two versions of the L doll, the other with him sweetly holding out a bouquet of flowers.  The doll is about 7.5 inches tall and comes with a base to stand it up.

I always keep L on my messy desk, near my One Great Step ticket and merchandise!

I didn't expect to receive a poster, which is such a nice surprise!  Sadly, the workers don't care about L like I do, and therefore the poster was mistreated with lots of bends and creases. The poster is highly glossy and has a printed signature of L, along with the message "Be Mine Shara Shara" in Korean.  I love how L looks so fresh and innocent in the doll form but so hot in the poster.  He looks so edgy and irresistible with that hairstyle and jacket, yet so adorable sucking on that colorful lollipop!  I just don't know what to make of this cuteness.

And lastly, here is the box of cotton pads.  L looks so dashing in his pink suit (it reminds me of Koi Ni Ochiru Toki promotions back in June!). On the side it says how the pads are super soft.

Here are the other two sides of the box.  L looks like such a precious angel in white with those feathers in his hair!  The other side explains more about the pads.  This box is so special to me, so of course I'll never open it!

On many of Shara's products, including the bottom of the cotton pad box, there's a QR code that sends you to this page:

This QR code is to guarantee that the product you purchased is, indeed, an official product of Shara Shara. I've never seen something like this for beauty products, which I thought was interesting, especially since this isn't even a high end brand prone to having others create counterfeits.

I now have a few of their products, so I'll be reviewing them soon.  Hopefully I'll like Shara's products as much as I love their freebies!

My Korean Haul!

While I was trudging through dead week and finals, my parents were enjoying themselves in none other than...Korea! As my parents are the sweetest despite my envying them, they gifted me with so many beauty products and Kpop merchandise!  Here is a quick look at my haul:

Tony Moly products and samples (and one Holika Holika sample):

Shara Shara products and freebies of L (they also gave a free L poster, which I'll show in a later post):

Kpop merchandise:

Kpop posters:

The worker at the Kpop store offered my parents so many free, official posters!  He gave one BtoB's Press Play, Exo's XOXO, both versions of Infinite's Destiny, Infinite's Infinitize Mission, and asked my parents what else I liked. They managed to list IU and CNBlue, so I also got IU's Modern Times and CNBlue's Present, which just came out!

I'm sorry I can't review these stores, but do expect lots of reviews these upcoming weeks!