Hell yes, Hikoco! Our local K-beauty playground

Skin

9 May

I dream about Hikoco <3

Over the past week, I’ve been aimlessly racking my brain for some editorial clarity. I’m really stuck; being indecisive is not in my nature. I’m impulsive, riddled with errors, feisty and I’ve always listened to my gut. I’ve popped probiotics for years, I’ve swallowed all sorts of nasties, and yet still, my gut’s never once failed me. I can’t quite articulate the sensation that’s shot up my spine when I know something is a ‘go’, usually, I can tell if I vibe with someone after our first encounter. Call it intuition or a low tolerance for bullshit, I know what sticks.

Here’s what I do understand, no one wants to read about the latest canned vodka, lime and soda – no matter how much it tastes like piss. We’ll pass. My disdain for regurgitated advertisements has never been stronger, but I appreciate the hustle. We all need to make a buck, god, I wish my pride didn’t halt me from making sugar-baby money, I’d be so good at it. Lately, my PR pitching has been bleak, everyone’s screaming in eloquently worded emails for advertising budget, has COVID-19 been the big, fat, final nail in the coffin for lifestyle and beauty PR? Possibly, I don’t know, my gut’s jumbled and the jury’s out. One thing I’m crystal clear on is, there really is zero room for free fluff right now.

But, that’s not what Sauce is about. Sure, we might muster up a brand deal that resonates with our community, but we won’t be publishing pieces on the six sexiest inflatable pool toys from the Warehouse. We’ll continue to feed you editorial spice until you’re vomiting serums. With that being said, can we please talk about Hikoco?

Our local K-Beauty playground, I dream about Hikoco. Once I’ve been let out of my ISO cage, I’m pitching a tent in Hikoco’s Newmarket home. Hikoco has provided Kiwis with the latest Korean beauty innovations since 2016 (fucking angels). K-Beauty just hits different, its efficacious formulas are a refreshing, natural slap across my face (and neck, and parts of my back where I get back-ne). K-Beauty is a holistic approach to skin maintenance, it cuts the chemical crap and consequential temporary improvements – it’s centred on natural, potent ingredients with a long-term impact. I find K-Beauty to be ageless, totally out of my league. I trust K-Beauty, why wouldn’t I? Who cares if I can’t read all the packaging, companies like Hikoco have created so much content for us to consume. This is a big fuck yes to you, Hikoco, you beautiful 100% New Zealand owned and operated K-Beauty empire. I love you. I’ll see you soon, I promise.

In the interim, below is what’s collecting virtual pixie dust in my Hikoco cart:

Some by Mi, Snail Truecica Mirackle Repair Toner, $43.00 – I’m gagging for a good snail mucin formula (it’s all the rage), love that’s formulated with Niacinamide (Vit B), it’s a calming toner that works to brighten and heal visible scarring.

COSRX, Acne Patch, $9.00 – I know, it’s sold out. But! That’s why we all need to email them demanding a restock. I love how oversized this pimple patch is, it works to control excessive sebum, while balancing your skin’s pH level.

Hemish, Bulgarian Rose Satin Cream, $49.00 – perfect AM or PM hydrating cream, is this ageless skin in a 55ML glass tub? Yes, yes it is.

Klairs, Deep Cleansing Oil, $36.00 – thick oil cleanser, packed with a natural punch. Comprised of vegetable oils (black bean, black sesame, black current) to deeply cleanse and remove sticky debris. It leaves no prisoners.

Dr. Jart+, Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum, $65.00 – it is no wonder most of Dr. Jart’s products are always sold-out, the problem with a cult-following is the continuous lack of product for the rest of us. What about the slow adopters!! Anyway, this is a beautifully created serum, I haven’t tried it, but you all know I’m screaming for a Tiger Grass serum – so this jumbo-sized elixir is going to look beautiful on my top-shelf. I can almost smell the Asian herbal plant tones from my screen. Take all my fucking money.