Tira Loves
9 underrated K-beauty picks worth adding to your daily lineup
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There’s something oddly romantic about the monsoon—the misty mornings, the chai breaks, the smell of wet earth. But if you’ve ever tried to navigate a workday through surprise showers and rising humidity, you’ll know it’s less about rain-soaked nostalgia and more about surviving the commute with your hair, skin and sanity intact. That’s where a well-packed tote comes in.
When the weather flips without warning (as it always does), having a few clever, hard-working essentials on hand can mean the difference between frazzled and fresh. This season, the MVPs in my monsoon bag strike the perfect balance between beauty, practicality and tiny luxuries. Think: a lip oil that hydrates without feeling sticky, a face mist that revives makeup mid-meeting, and satin scrunchies that save your hair from frizz-induced chaos. These essentials are the low-effort, high-reward heroes that keep everything looking (and feeling) put-together—even when the weather’s not.
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Monsoon weather and matte lips rarely get along, which is why a hydrating lip oil like this one deserves a spot in every work tote. With a plush, oversized applicator and a nourishing blend of hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and antioxidants, it glides on like a dream and cushions lips with lasting moisture. The gel-oil texture gives a glossy, plumped-up finish—without a hint of stickiness—making it perfect for quick desk-to-dinner touch-ups.
It’s also one of those rare lip products that feels like skincare. The slight tint adds just enough colour to pull a look together, while the glossy sheen adds a fresh, healthy vibe to dull, rainy-day skin.
Equal parts soft and empowering, this warm vanilla-lavender fragrance is a grounding companion during grey, drizzly days. Notes of vanilla infusion, caviar and absolut are layered with a hint of floral freshness, creating a scent that lingers beautifully without overwhelming. It's compact enough to toss into a tote, yet rich enough to double as a signature scent for the season.
The dry down is especially comforting—subtle yet long-lasting—making it the kind of scent that turns heads in elevators and leaves a soft trail through crowded boardrooms.
When humidity starts to weigh skin down, this bamboo-infused face mist steps in to refresh, hydrate and restore balance in seconds. Its lightweight formula is enriched with antioxidant-rich bamboo shoot extract and skin-softening jojoba oil to soothe irritation and add an instant glow. It layers well over makeup and never feels sticky—ideal for mid-commute spritzes or post-meeting resets.
What’s more, the fine mist feels almost spa-like. One spritz and skin feels instantly calmer, brighter and less like it’s been stuck inside a soggy blazer all morning.
Finish: Soft matte | Texture: Balm-to-powder stick
Compact, weightless and ideal for on-the-go, this sun stick smooths on like a balm then dries into a powder-like veil. Great for touch-ups, but it also works well under makeup—blurring shine and softening texture without shifting cream or powder products. With centella inside, it’s a win for acne-prone or easily irritated skin.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable—even on cloudy monsoon days—and this silky sun stick makes reapplication effortless. With broad-spectrum SPF 50 and a cocktail of hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica, it hydrates, calms and shields skin without leaving a greasy residue or white cast. Its compact, glide-on format means it fits neatly into any work tote for seamless, mess-free top-ups throughout the day.
The velvet finish is especially ideal for humid days—it won’t slide around or pill under makeup. Think of it as your mid-day skin shield that doubles as a mattifier.
These mini cleansing wipes are a rainy-day essential, especially when the humidity starts to mix with makeup and pollution. Infused with cica, peptides and tea tree extract, they gently sweep away grime, excess oil and stubborn mascara without stripping the skin. Think of them as a skincare reset button—portable, practical and surprisingly refreshing after a long day.
They’re also a saviour after late-night dinners or gym-to-office sprints. One swipe and your skin feels like it can breathe again.
More than just a lash and brow enhancer, this multi-tasking Ayurvedic serum has a place in every beauty minimalist's kit. With nourishing ingredients like castor oil, amla, fenugreek and sweet almond oil, it conditions sparse lashes and brows while supporting natural growth.
Bonus: the gel-like texture doubles as a gentle grooming balm that can even smooth flyaways for a polished, sleek hair look—no hard hold, just soft definition. Whether you’re taming baby hairs or brushing up your brows for a cleaner finish, this one does double duty without taking up extra space.
Rain-soaked commutes and frizz are an unfortunate pairing—but these satin scrunchies help keep hair in check, stylishly. The smooth, elasticated bands glide over strands without tugging, breakage or that dreaded dent. Whether worn in a low bun or a lazy ponytail, they make wet-weather hair look put-together in seconds, and with four in a pack, there’s always one within reach.
They also look pretty enough to pass as wrist accessories. So even if your bun unravels by lunch, you’ve still got a backup that feels a little luxe.
Hydration often takes a back seat during back-to-back meetings and damp commutes, but this sipper bottle makes it a little easier to stay on track. With a generous 1L capacity, an easy-to-carry loop and a clear, wide-mouthed design, it ticks every box for form and function. Whether it's perched on a desk or tucked into a tote, it’s a daily essential that’s as practical as it is aesthetically pleasing.
It also serves as a visual nudge to actually drink more water—because let’s face it, coffee isn’t going to solve that mid-afternoon skin dehydration.
