What to get from new K-beauty brand A'Pieu (it's now in the Philippines!)
Thanks to Project Vanity, I’ve had the chance to try out a lot of different skincare products but K-beauty has a special place in my heart! Learning about Korean skincare gave me my first brush with the Asian beauty philosophy, and it has truly been a game-changer for my routines. From chemical exfoliants and 7-skin application, to straight brows and just-bitten lips, so much of my beauty routine is Korean inspired! So I was really excited to learn that a new K-beauty brand just arrived in town.
I had only seen A’Pieu once before when Liz reviewed the super cute Rilakkuma collection, and never really got around to finding out more about them. As it turns out, A’Pieu is the (younger) sister brand of Missha. Apart from being more trendy, their products are supposed to be designed for sensitive skin, so more people can use them.
If you haven’t tried A’pieu yet, better add their new flagship store in SM Megamall to your next shopping trip! As you enter, you’ll find a giant wall of sheet masks to your left, and the center island of color cosmetics straight ahead. They have a specific sunscreen variant for each skin type, and there was an entire range of hair vinegar products. If you feel overwhelmed by options and don’t know where to start, they have a wall dedicated to their bestsellers. I really appreciate it when stores offer this feature because it gives me a better idea of what the brand is good at. In A’pieu’s case, they have fan favorites from both the skincare and color cosmetics lines!
A’pieu is actually best known for their Juicy Pang makeup line. “Pang” actually means “juicy” in Korean, so that should give you an idea of what finish to expect from these products! I was immediately drawn to the Juicy Pang Water Blusher (P355) which actually looks a lot like nail polish! I love the non-sticky, lightweight texture that allows you to gradually build up pigment. The effect is a soft, natural glow that can be blended out instead of a bright stain. Although the finish feels powdery, there are subtle flecks of shimmer to keep the color from looking flat.
For a cheek color that’s more travel-friendly, the Juicy Pang Jelly Blusher (P675 for 4.8g) is the more practical option. It has a bouncy, gel texture that honestly reminds me of Shiseido’s Whipped Powder Blush! This is more pigmented than the Water Blusher as well, so it’s easier to build up cheek color. I really love both formulas but would recommend the Water Blusher for very soft and subtle blush looks, and the Jelly Blusher for more vibrant color.
Kiss bone-dry mattes goodbye and embrace the velvet lip trend for a healthier-looking pout! The Juicy Pang Mousse Tint (P675) surprised me with the intense pigmentation it offers, but the formula feels incredibly lush and moisturizing on my lips. It doesn’t settle into lip lines like other tints do, and you can easily do a gradient lip with the tiniest dab of color - that’s how pigmented it is! I applied it “full strength” over my entire lip for the swatches, and I’m pleased to report that it remained comfortable with zero caking.
Because of my current gloss obsession though, I have to say that my favorite A’Pieu find is their number one product: the Juicy Pang Tint (P575). It really does make my lips look lush and juicy, and I’m so pleased that the color applies evenly as opposed to streaking or pulling to the sides. And despite the lip gloss feels, the color does leave a light tint so it lasts longer than most of the others I’ve tried. The formula isn’t sticky or greasy, and I like that this has ingredients like apple oil and rose oil to nourish my lips. If you can only try one thing from A’Pieu, you can’t go wrong with this Tint.
A’Pieu is also known for their Madecassoside line, and I got the Cleansing Foam (P550 for 130ml) and Ampoule (P1,250 for 30ml) to try. Unfortunately, the cleanser scored a 10 when we tested it on pH strips, so it doesn’t pass my requirements for a gentle cleanser. I did try it once just to check, and my skin felt a little dry and rough for a while afterwards. It might work better for other skin types but it’s not for me
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure that I’m using the Madecassoside Ampoule correctly because there are no instructions on the packaging. I just apply it after my toner because that’s when ampoules are usually applied, according to the 10-step K-beauty routine. It’s very watery, quickly sinks into the skin, and has no scent, but it feels like I applied a light protective layer over my skin when I compare it to bare skin.
The Ampoule has only two ingredients: 99.99% Centella Asiatica Extract, and 100ppm of Madecassoside which is also derived from Centella! It’s described as “a concentrated serum for tired skin” on the bottle, and is supposed to strengthen the skin barrier. I don’t have sensitive skin so I can’t fully appreciate its benefits, but I did try applying it to some parts of my face and my arm that felt irritated. It made the redness go away so I do think it works. I imagine this would have been very useful for the times when I accidentally overexfoliated my skin with too much acid!
I think I need to figure out which A’Pieu skincare products are better suited to my skin type but I’m definitely a convert for their makeup! I love the lip and blush formulas, and I’m curious about trying the foundations and eyeshadows next. Have you tried A’Pieu? What would you recommend?
The A’Pieu flagship store is at 2/F SM Megamall Building A in Ortigas.
Photography by NIcole Quindara
