Stylevana Review – Affordable Korean Skincare

Why is Stylevana so Popular for Korean Skincare?

Korean skincare products have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a wide range of innovative and effective formulas. However, the high prices of many Korean brands in UK stores can be a deterrent for budget-conscious consumers. That’s where Stylevana caught my eye as a promising alternative. It also stocks a large range of items from Japan, Taiwan and other East Asian brands.

As a big fan of Korean skincare, I was intrigued by the range and prices of the products. Additionally, they always seem to have good promotions on. However, I was also apprehensive about ordering from them, as I had seen some mixed reviews online regarding long delivery times and missing parcels. Some reviewers even suggested that products may not be authentic.

Nonetheless, I decided to give Stylevana a try, and over the last 18 months, I’ve placed three orders with them. I’m happy to report that, in each case, my package arrived safely, although delivery took 3-4 weeks. Considering I was expecting a long wait time, this wasn’t a major concern for me. What I would recommend, though, is paying the additional £1-2 for insured delivery to provide that extra peace of mind should your package not turn up.

Why I like shopping on Stylevana

The real draw of Stylevana, of course, is the products themselves. I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the quality and effectiveness of the skincare items I’ve tried from their selection. From hydrating serums to nourishing moisturisers, the formulas have delivered noticeable results without breaking the bank. There have also been things that I have been underwhelmed with. These are mostly from the make-up lines – over glittery eyeshadows and gloopy lipsticks. Maybe I just haven’t been lucky with my selections in this area.

Recommended Purchases from Stylevana

Numbuzin – No.9 NAD+ Retinol Volumetox Eye Cream 

I am in my mid-40s and have dry and crepey undereyes with fine lines. Whilst I know no eye cream on earth is going to get rid of these, this cream hydrates, brightens and makes this delicate area feel nourished. I have repurchased and will continue to do so – no other eye cream has been as effective. Yes, the packaging is a bit gimmicky and perhaps an unnecessary use of plastic, with a fiddly little cap, but the product is amazing. I pay around £12 for 10mls from Stylevana. If you want to try an alternative but also highly rated product, then I also recommend the Beauty of Joseon cream.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON – Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal

This is arguably more ‘viral’ and well-rated than the Numbuzin cream, although it is my personal 2nd favourite eye cream. It’s more affordable at around £10 for 30ml. It is formulated to enhance skin elasticity and enhance the under-eye area. My skin felt moisturised and a little brighter after using. I really like it but will not purchase again as I am loyal to the Numbuzin cream. I have seen some reviews on line that people with sensitive skin have found this irritating due to the Ginseng so this may be a consideration for you.

FRUDIA – My Orchard Hand Cream 

This beautiful hand cream is only £2.89 for 30ml. It comes in a wide range of scents (mostly fuity), but my personal favourite is the Shea butter one. This has a strong powdery clean scent, which I absolutely love. I am constantly washing my hands at work, and I get very dry, cracked skin. This cream seems to absorb almost immediately, leaving my hands soft and beautifully scented. I prefer it to the L’occitaine shea butter hand cream as its not quite as greasy or heavy and of course significantly less expensive. Its a great price, handbag sized and a definite repurchase for me.

APLB – Azelaic Acid Peptide Ampoule Serum

Azelaic acid is a great ingredient to include in your regimen for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. I had previously used the Geek & Gorgeous version, which had impressed me. The APLB version includes azelaic acid, a peptide, and Centella asiatica extract. There is also hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan for hydration. I havent seen that many reviews of this online but my impression is positive. It is hydrating without causing any irritation. It sinks in well to the skin and mixes with other skincare well. The price is around £7.80 for 40ml and it does not contain any fragrance.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

One of my all-time favorite cleansers is the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. As I’ve detailed in my Gentle Cleansers for Sensitive Skin review, this formula strikes an impressive balance between efficacy and gentleness. Despite containing tea tree oil, a potent ingredient, the cleanser is still gentle enough for my sensitive complexion.

The gel-like texture is easy to work with, and the scent is pleasant yet mild. I find this cleanser to be particularly beneficial for managing hormonal breakouts, as the tea tree oil helps to address blemishes without over-drying my skin.

While most sensitive types should be able to tolerate this COSRX cleanser, those with extremely reactive skin may prefer a more nourishing formula. Personally, I’ve had great success with it.

In the UK, this 150ml bottle typically retails for around £10, but on Stylevana, I’ve been able to purchase it for approximately £6.50 – a significant savings. Overall, the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser has become a staple in my routine, delivering reliable results without irritation.

Numbuzin NAD+ Bio Lifting-sil Essence

I purchased the Numbuzin serum from Stylevana, though I’ve noticed it’s currently available at a lower price point on Amazon. At £16.50 for a 50ml bottle, it’s still a fairly pricey investment. However, the inclusion of peptides – a popular skincare ingredient touted for its anti-aging benefits – piqued my interest.

I’ve tried peptide-infused formulas from other brands like MediK8 and Geek and Gorgeous in the past, but didn’t experience any noticeable effects. What ultimately swayed me to give the Numbuzin serum a try was how impressed I was with their eye cream. 

The serum itself has a light, hydrating texture that absorbs seamlessly into the skin without any stickiness, residue, or irritation. It’s suitable for all skin types, with a particular focus on addressing fine lines and loss of elasticity.

While the results have been relatively subtle so far, I do feel like this serum contains a beneficial blend of ingredients for my skin. It leaves my complexion feeling nourished, and I plan to continue using it as part of my routine. Though the improvements may be gradual, I’m hopeful that with consistent use, I’ll start to see more noticeable anti-ageing benefits over time.

Products I will not repurchase

SKIN1004 – Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam

I purchased the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam cleanser for £8.99 for a 125ml tube. Formulated with centella asiatica extract, it’s marketed as a soothing, gentle option for sensitive or irritated skin types. However, the foaming texture immediately gave me pause, as I’ve found that I generally don’t tolerate foaming cleansers very well.

Unfortunately, my instincts proved to be correct in this case. After using the Ampoule Foam, my skin felt irritated and uncomfortably dry and itchy. After a few attempts to see if my skin would get used to it, I gave up.

To be fair, this cleanser does seem to have garnered very positive reviews from other users online. But based on my own experience, I would caution those with sensitive skin against trying this product. Ultimately, I ended up discarding the remainder of the tube, as I couldn’t find a way to make it work for my sink.

Purito SEOUL – Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

I bought this as I thought it sounded cooling and soothing for my rosacea-prone skin. It has thick gel-like consistency and is designed to strengthen the skin barrier, speed up blemish recovery and soothe irritated skin. It contains both Panthenol and Niacinamide for glow and hydration. This is unfragranced and gets 74% 5* reviews on Amazon at the time of posting. It cost me £10.99 for 100ml.

I’m still on the fence about this. It doesn’t irritate my skin, it feels cooling and soothing, but it also seems to leave a slightly sticky feel to my skin, which I really don’t like. On the other hand, it does feel hydrating and gives my skin a bit of a glow. It works fine with other skincare products and makeup. I’m going to use it up, but I doubt I will repurchase it as there are other products I want to try instead.

Laneige – Lip Sleeping Mask

This Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask has been a viral sensation, popping up all over my social media feeds. Intrigued by the hype, I decided to dip my toe in by purchasing a small 3g tube for £2.89 – a relatively low-risk way to test out the product without committing to a full-size version.

In use, I found the Laneige lip mask to be a nice enough product. It does provide a temporary softening effect on my lips, without feeling sticky or gloopy. The brand also offers an array of appealing “flavors” to choose from.

One positive is that the tiny tub has lasted me quite a long time, as I simply don’t find myself reaching for it all that often. In my opinion, more affordable options like Vaseline or Carmex cherry balm work just as well, especially when my lips are seriously dry and cracked.

While I’m glad I tried the Laneige lip mask to see what the hype was about, I don’t think I would personally invest in a larger size. For those who are curious to experience the product, however, the small 3g tub is an inexpensive way to satisfy that interest.

Final Verdict: Is Stylevana a good retailer for Korean Skincare?

In my opinion, based on my three orders so far, it absolutely is. You need to be prepared to wait several weeks for your delivery. Also, I would always ensure you pick the ‘insured delivery’ option for just a few pounds more for peace of mind. My parcels have always been well packaged, and the products have been exactly as described and authentic. Additionally, they do some good discounts, gifts with purchase and free shipping offers.

The website can be a bit slow and clunky, but on the whole, Stylevana is my go-to online retailer for Korean skincare. If you don’t have time to wait so long for your delivery, the good news is that Korean skincare is becoming more widely available in UK shops or online, although still tends to be a bit pricey. If you would prefer to check UK prices or have faster delivery, I’ve included a few options below for convenience.