Haul: Too Cool For School

Another Korean beauty brand to try! 

Too Cool for School is the latest Korean beauty craze to land in Manila. Their products target teenagers to young adults with their fun packaging and high quality ingredients. What sets them apart from other Korean labels is their modest selection of beauty care as compared to the over abundance seen in most beauty stores. With this simpler selection, beauty beginners will surely have an easier time picking out products. Who could possibly resist? 

Out of the lot, I specifically chose three I considered to be staples for beauty beginners. These consist of two skin care products: the Egg Mousse Pack and the McGirly Perfecter - both use age-old natural beauty ingredients like egg and rice wine - and lastly, the After School BB Lunch Box which I used on the above photo. 

GENERAL PACKAGING

Out of the Korean brands I’ve encountered, Too Cool For School really makes it to the top of my list for beautiful packaging. The brand collaborates with different artists to create eye-catching designs that are tumblr and blogger worthy. Even the illustration on their loyalty card was collaborated by artist, Anke Weckmann. 

I won’t lie, the packaging was actually what drew me to the kiosk (located at 2nd floor SM Megamall Fashion Forum) in the first place. 

There’s one thing I would hope to suggest though…if anyone from Too Cool For School is reading this, please include English translations of the product description. As a person who looks into details, it was difficult for me to fully rely on what the in-house sales ladies were telling me about each product. I found their answers to my questions a little vague and generalised, so I had to do further research on my own. But, other than that, I think the packaging was really well thought out. Everything is made out of high quality materials and others exhibited dual functions for convenience.

PRODUCT REVIEW

I. Egg Mousse Pack  

The Egg Mousse Pack is a facial cleanser mask that uses egg yolk and albumin extract as active ingredients. Egg yolk is filled with Vitamins A, B2, and B3, Zinc and Protein. All of which aid in beautifying the skin, at the same time treats conditions such as inflammation, acne, dryness and itchiness. It also helps with slowing down skin ageing by repairing the skin’s tissues and promoting its elasticity. 

The egg albumin or egg white, on the other hand, contains Protein, Magnesium, Potassium, and Riboflavin. These mostly help with tightening, hydrating, and repairing the skin. It is also known to control oil excretion. 

What it does:

• Whitens
• Moisturises
• Smoothens
• Cleanses

This product is absolutely fun to use, with it’s thick, rich foam and delightful packaging. It’s easily becoming a favourite. Unlike a normal facial cleanser, this one needs to be left on to be absorbed by the skin before washing it off. I’ve been using it for a week now and so far it effectively cleanses and whitens, tightens my pores, and my skin feels so much smoother than normal. I also find that even without placing moisturiser after cleansing my face, my skin still feels soft and hydrated. It’s not extremely moisturising but it’s not drying as well.  

How to use:

Apply a sufficient amount all over the face and neck in a massaging motion then leave on until it is absorbed by the skin. Rinse off afterwards with lukewarm water.

Packaging:

The packaging comes in a high quality pump bottle so it’s not only hygienic but you won’t have to worry about the container leaking or breaking if you place it in your bag.

Price: P665.00

*This product contains fragrance. Those with sensitive skin are advised to consult with a dermatologist before using the product.

II. McGirly Perfecter 

The McGirly Perfecter Rice Wine Secret is part of the McGirly skin care collection. It’s actually a serum that contains the extract of yeast fermentation made from pottery brewed Makgeolli. 

*Makgeolli is an alcoholic drink from Korea made from wheat and rice. 

Rice Wines like Makgeolli are known to have several beautifying benefits with the abundant presence of nutrients, amino acids, yeast, Adenosine, Niacinamide, etc. 

What it does:

• Brightens the skin
• Fights wrinkles
• Makes skin more firm  

The McGirly Perfecter feels very light on the skin. It’s not sticky and is absorbed very quickly. I use this for day and night along with other skin care products that I’m loving at the moment. So far, my skin feels very soft and supple. 

How to use:

Just like any serum, use after cleansing the face and placing toner. Two pumps of the product are usually enough for the entire face and neck. Use patting motion to apply.

Packaging: 

I was actually more interested in the packaging when I came across this product. It comes in a ceramic like bottle with a pump for the serum and a wooden cap. Might not be too convenient to lug around but it’s pleasing to the eye. 

Price: P1,129.00

III. After School BB Lunch Box (Mini Size)  

The After School BB Cream comes in two forms, one is matte and the other, dewy. My skin type is quite dry so I chose the dewy version. They also have a regular sized bottle but I got the smaller version for trial purposes. 

What I like about the mini sized packaging is how travel friendly it is. You can use it almost anywhere and the spot precision is amazing. I first tried it on the way to the airport and I had the easiest time putting it on in the car. It’s very light weight and gives you just enough dew without making you look oily. The product is also easy to blend while giving a medium to light coverage. 

My only problem with this product is that it’s a little lighter than my skin tone. It has a more greyish undertone than a yellow one (and I’m pretty yellow). Although, I did notice that after a few minutes the colour seemed to adjust. I’m not sure if that’s how it really works or not. One thing’s for certain, I don’t recommend this product for ladies with darker skin tones. 

Note: This product will not last very long…probably a week or so depending on how much you use. You can opt to buy the regular sized bottle for P989.00.

How to use:

A little goes a long way. Simply place a tiny amount on forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin then spread evenly with a foundation brush, beauty blender, or fingers.

Pros

• Really nice dewy/ lightweight finish
• Spot precision application
• Travel friendly 
• Easy to blend
• Convenient size and weight
• Adorable packaging

Cons

• No other colour range to choose from, they only have 2 shades and both don’t even have the same formulation (matte/dewy). 

Price (mini): P219.00