5 Independent Korean Beauty Brands to Watch Out For

B-Lab Korea

B-Lab Korea is a Korean skincare brand with a focus on creating high-quality products using natural ingredients: all for the sake of a better environment. Their flagship range is their “I AM SORRY JUST CLEANSING” line which features a wide range of cleansing products, including peeling gel, cleansing water, and oil cleansers, with the range’s tagline emblazoned on it.

All their products come in chic and minimalist looking black and white packaging. Check out their Instagram to lust over the cleansers and start making your wish list.

B-LAB(@b_lab_korea)님의 공유 게시물님, 2018 6월 27 2:55오전 PDT

Where to Buy B-Lab Korea Products in Korea

Their products are available to order from their website.

Duft and Doft

Duft and Doft are bringing a scent of Scandinavia to Korea with their Nordic inspired fragrance range. The company creates pampering products using only natural ingredients and uses no parabens, mineral oils, talc, synthetic dyes, benzophenones or other potentially harmful chemicals. Many beauty bloggers are dubbing Duft and Doft the #1 beauty brand that they want to keep to themselves.

But, the secret’s out!

더프트앤도프트 DUFT&DOFT(@duftndoft)님의 공유 게시물님, 2018 6월 26 3:49오후 PDT

Where to Buy Duft and Doft Products in Korea

As well as being available online and in Olive Young stores, Duft and Duft also have a variety of physical locations around Korea. Find out where, here.

Thank you Farmer

Thank you Farmer is an innovative cosmetic brand that produces high-performance products using all-natural and cruelty-free ingredients. Their Miracle Age Line has been praised by Media giants, such as Vogue and Allure. Their range of products feature skincare, BB creams, and sun protection essentials.

땡큐파머 THANK YOU FARMER(@thankyoufarmer)님의 공유 게시물님, 2018 3월 12 2:23오전 PDT

Where to Buy Thank you Farmer Products in Korea

This independent Korean Beauty Brands products can be bought on their website, as well as at several physical locations around Korea. Find out where, here!

Oka Beauty

Oka is a fun and exciting independent Korean cosmetics company. They create gorgeous skincare and beauty products that use advanced ingredients for the highest level of care. However, our favorite thing about Oka is the fun packaging of their products with bright pop colors and caricature designs. They are best known for their lipsticks, lip glosses and facemasks.

OKA(@oka_beauty)님의 공유 게시물님, 2018 4월 20 9:01오전 PDT

Where to Buy Oka Beauty Products in Korea

Oka Beauty products are available online.

Wonjin Effect

Wonjin Effect combines nature and technology to make the most effective skincare products. Their treatments have been developed by some of Korea’s leading dermatologists for the ultimate in luxury beauty. Their flagship products are their advanced face masks however, their face creams and ampoules are also popular.

원진이펙트(@wonjineffect)님의 공유 게시물님, 2017 11월 7 5:19오후 PST

Where to Buy Wonjin Effect Beauty Products in Korea

Wonjin Effect skincare products can be purchased on their website.

What’s your Favorite Independent Korean Beauty Brand?

So now that we’ve told you our 5 favorite independent Korean beauty brands, its time for you to spill your secrets? What’s your go-to k-beauty product that no one has heard of? Leave us a comment and let us know in the comments!

The post Top 5 Independent Korean Beauty Brands to Watch out For! appeared first on Startup Radar.

These apps are unique in that they reward users for the content they create. We’ve all seen how multi-billion dollar companies like Facebook have gained their fortune thanks to the free content that users have uploaded. This new generation of blockchain social media will allow users to earn cryptocurrency just for posting.

Plus, because of the blockchain technology, users data is much more secure.

Although this market is still in its infancy, its already flooded with innovative new apps. I can assure you that you can easily find an alternative for your favorite! To help you get started, though, we’ve put together this handy list of the top 10 blockchain social media app alternatives to watch out for.

Our Favorite Blockchain Social Media App Alternatives

Indorse: A Blockchain Alternative to Linkedin

Indorse is a decentralized professional network for the skills economy. Although it shares some similarities with Linkedin, the innovative interface is completely unique and one-of-a-kind.

Users begin by signing up to the profile and make claims about the things that they’ve done. For example: running a marathon, completing freelance work or graduating from University. Someone in your professional network can then “indorse” you for that skill and enchance your reputation. After this happens, both the user and the indorser will receive an indorse buck, which can then be traded for an indorse token.

The platform encourages users to grow their network, update their skills and validate others in their network, by rewarding them with cryptocurrency. This helps to promote a more honest and reliable professional network.

Foresting: A Blockchain Alternative to Facebook

Facebook is the biggest and most all-encompassing traditional SNS platform the world has seen. And that’s exactly what Foresting aspires to be. This exciting app allows users to upload their own content and be rewarded for it in cryptocurrency whenever they receive likes from other users.

However, this isn’t the only way in which Foresting rewards its content creators. They’re also setting up a service called Foresting Bank. Foresting Bank is a dedicated crypto bank that gives out loans to content creators who need financial help with their projects.

Choon: A Blockchain Alternative to Spotify

Choon is a music streaming service that was launched with the hope of eradicating the music industry’s biggest flaws. The platform’s musicians are paid in cryptocurrency for every track they have played. In addition to this, listeners can also earn coins by listening to sponsored tracks or creating curated music playlists.

Me We: A Blockchain Alternative to WhatsApp

Me We is a chat and text app that prides itself on putting the user’s privacy first. The app doesn’t spy, track or share any of its user’s data.

However, that’s not the only reason to love Me We. The chatting platform is filled with fun features, such as disappearing messages, voice notes, mail and chat options. For further convenience, the app also has a cloud storage feature.

Steepshot: A Blockchain Social Media Alternative to Instagram

Steepshot is a Steemit platform for photographers and influencers to monetize their content. The app looks just like Instagram but, unlike the mainstream photography app, users receive cryptocurrency relative to the amount of engagement they receive on their photos.

D Tube: A Blockchain Social Media Alternative to Youtube

D Tube also runs on the Steemit platform. The video sharing platform is very much modeled on YouTube- but the business model is much fairer towards content creators. Recently, Youtube has made it much more difficult for creators to earn money from ads. Dtube offers an alternative platform for vloggers to monetize their content.

Creators are rewarded with Steem currency, proportionate to the amount of engagement they get on their content. They can continue to monetize their content for 7 days after its publication.

Ask Fm: A Blockchain Alternative to Quora

It’s fair to say that no Q&A social media platform has really taken off in the same way that apps like Instagram, Youtube and Twitter have. However, maybe blockchain technology could change that. Ask FM is a Q&A app built using blockchain technology. The app incentivizes people for answering questions by rewarding them with cryptocurrency for quality responses. Maybe some crypto is just what people need to start using Q&A social media on a regular basis.

Experty: A Unique Blockchain Alternative to Skype

Experty is a unique knowledge exchange platform. The company was originally founded as a platform in which users can pay to connect directly with experts for a knowledge exchange. However, that’s not the only way to use the platform. It can also be used for private voice calls between two parties, Skype.

Rocket Chat: A Blockchain Alternative to Slack

Rocket Chat is a team chat blockchain social media platform that’s similar to Slack. It can be used for team members to communicate. As well as its live chat feature, it also allows users to use video conferencing tools, screen sharing, file sharing and real-time translation.

Rewardzzz: A Unique Blockchain Rewards System

Rewardzzz is a unique blockchain based rewards system that’s aiming to consolidate all global points packages into one handy app. Did you know that $360 billion worth of rewards points are unclaimed worldwide? Rewardzzz aims to counter this by having a wide pool of companies using one streamlined app and rewarding users for their referrals.

Which Blockchain Social Media Alternative Will you DL First?

As you can see, its easy to make the switch to decentralized technology. Almost all of your favorite apps and website have a decentralized alternative that’s been developed. We hope this article has helped you find your new best blockchain social media app!

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Starting your own company is never an easy task. You often don’t know where to start, what needs to be done, and who to ask for help. Well, if you are looking to establish your own startup company in Korea, you no longer need to worry! Korean startup Platform 9 is a company with a vision of “creating and leading future-oriented startup ecology in Korea,” and is there to lend small-business owners a hand.

Platform 9 derived its name from the world-famous novel series, “Harry Potter”. Within the novel, Platform 9 and 3/4 is the space that connects the dimensions of human world and wizard world. In a similar context, Platform 9 intends to become a launch pad, which Korean startups can leverage to convert their creative ideas into successful businesses, which bring values and innovations into our society.

Min-gu Lee, the CEO of Platform 9 has been an active player in the Korean startup scene himself.  He has 11 years of startup experience as the former CEO of Class Edu, an academic consulting company. Therefore, on the strength of his great expertise and knowledge in entrepreneurship, the CEO developed a mobile application called “WOORIDONGNE CEO”, the literal translation of which means “Neighborhood CEO”.

WOORIDONGNE CEO

In October 2017, WOORIDONGNE CEO was officially registered at the App Store. It is a mobile platform, which provides business solutions to its users with respect to issues, from selecting a business item to conducting sustainable business activities. Some of WOORIDONGNE CEO’s strengths are 1) it is easy to use for people of all ages, 2) it has a very intuitive interface, and 3) it has a beautiful design.

But, the best part about WOORIDONGNE CEO has to be that it charges no fees! Furthermore, WOORIDONE CEO cuts franchise marketing costs down to 1% at most. On average, online marketing costs 20-30 million won ($2000-$3000) per month. However, advertising cost on WOORIDONGNE CEO costs only 90,000-400,000 won ($90-$400) monthly. What’s more, advertising on WOORIDONGNE CEO delivers high-purity advertisement by targeting its mobile app users, who are looking to open businesses themselves. In contrast, regular online marketing randomly targets unspecified groups, which has relatively small marketing effects compared to its excessive cost.

Using WOORIDONGNE CEO is fast, easy and accurate. And, it gives you insight and access to information free of charge. So, if you decide to launch a startup in Korea, why not give WOORIDONGNE CEO a shot? Afterall, you have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

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Korean Startup BBuzzArt

BBuzzArt is a global art social platform established by a Korean startup. This enables artists to show their pieces to the public and communicate with them. Instead of sharing popular works, BBuzzArt shares works of rising artists. Therefore, the platform can help those alienated artists experience artistic development. Moreover, many art enthusiasts came to appreciate new pieces for free. A number of artists and art lovers around the world are currently using this application, and more than 30,000 artworks are being displayed.

How it works

You can use BBuzzArt freely after you signed up for membership through Facebook, Google or Email. Artists should complete their profile by adding their picture and entering their introduction. After that, they can upload their pieces with a title and creator’s note.

If artists are done with uploading, they can get feedback from users through the ‘Feedback Aide’ service. Users can choose 3 words that they think matches the piece best. Then, the application automatically completes the comments. Of course, people can edit the sentence if they want to.

Every week, BBuzzArt recommends new artworks to its users by the ‘BBuzz pick’ service. Moreover, it suggests personalized pieces according to the individual’s taste and characteristics. Displayed artworks are well classified. Instead of sorting them through traditional methods, BBuzzArt categorizes them into ’emotional keywords’. Therefore, users can quickly look for pieces that suits their taste. And there is even more! Rising artists can sell their works, and enthusiasts can collect them at an affordable price.

To all the artists around the world, show your abilities freely in BBuzzArt!

The post Resolving Artistic Inequality!: Korean Startup BBuzzArt appeared first on Startup Radar.

Korean startup Bagel Labs

Bagel Labs is a Korean startup that launched a ‘smart tapeline’ for the first time. A smart tapeline is an appliance that enables its users to measure length in a digital method. With this small product, people can gauge anything and increase efficiency in a number of areas, such as architecture and fashion areas. Bagel Labs has released 2 types of products, and they are ‘Bagel Light’ and ‘Bagel Square’. The former one is suitable for ordinary people, and the latter one for professional architect. The company is currently recognized for its value, sweeping several awards worldwide. The following is some of the services that Bagel Labs offers to its users.

How it works

1. Various modes

Bagel Labs provides 3 types of modes for a tapeline, and users can make use of them according to their intended use. There are ‘string mode’, ‘wheel mode’, and ‘remote mode’.

(1) String mode

Many people might have had difficulty in measuring the circumference of a curve with the analog measuring tape. When users set to string mode in the smart tapeline, they can easily gauge curve circumference with a flexible and thin string. 

(2) Wheel mode

It is almost impossible to measure the length of uneven sides with an analog tapeline. Wheel mode can solve this problem by enabling people to measure length with a sensor. When people pass by smart measuring tape over the bumpy face, they can get the value without any separate string.

(3) Remote mode

Have you ever failed to measure length because of the shortness of an analog tapeline? Or have you experienced trouble in measuring area that was out of reach? With the remote mode, users can measure long length as far as 30m by emitting a laser beam. People do have to stretch out their hands or purchase a longer analog tapeline.

2. self-recording system

With the pre-existing method, people had to write down several measured values one by one in their notepads. Bagel Labs lessened this tiresome work by adopting a self-recording system. Users can save the readings in the smart tapeline by pressing a small button and record their description by themselves. These measurements can be seen and managed in Bagel Labs mobile application.

3. Digital display

With Bagel Labs, people don’t have to read the gradations on a tape, but they just have to look at the value that appears in a digital display. This digital display is designed to be visible in any lighting or environments.

If you want to smartly measure everything in this world, try using Bagel Labs!

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There are close to 300 million visually impaired people all over the world.  More than 40 million of these people are blind.  However, there are not enough books in braille form.  One of the reasons is because it is too expensive to create braille books.  It is estimated that less than 1% of our books are translated into braille form.  There were devices for braille reading but there cost between $3,000 to $15,000.  Korean startup Dot has created the world’s first braille smartwatch and best of all, people can purchase it for less than $300.

Dot is the most affordable entry device for braille literacy.  It works much similar to an Apple watch.  Users can connect the device to your smartphone through Bluetooth connections.  Then you will be able to read your Facebook feeds, the time, or any text data.

How does it work?

Once you receive a message on your smartphone.  The message is sent to your Dot watch and the dots start popping up so you can read it.  Since this is an entry device there is a braille education system built in.

Now the visually impaired are excited to learn braille.  Dot is even looking to develop a dot pad which will be like a Kindle for blind people.  With this, there are many possibilities for learning.  They will be able to do math problems, navigate maps, and even visualize images.

Dot will be installing modules in bus stops and subway stations in Korea so blind people can know which buses and trains are coming.

Dot is a technology that gives equal opportunity and equal accessibility so that minority people and disabled people can get the help they need.

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Korean startup Neopop

Neopop is a Korean startup that manufactures LED tags for dogs. Neopop gives information about the dog. When the pet owners enter some data through the Neopop mobile application, the information appears through a LED band. All they have to do is to type in the name of the pet, their phone number or some messages and put the band around the dog’s neck. Since all the data are written down, people can lessen their worries if they lose their pets.

Moreover, the LED band twinkles in a dark night. Therefore, pet owners can prevent frightful accidents, such as car accidents, from happening. With Neopop, puppies can enjoy outdoor activities much more safely.

Neopop band is easily available in Korea.  The company is currently trying to expand its business to Japan, Germany, and etc. Besides the functions of information offerings or accident prevention, Neopop plans to implement a location tracking service in the near future. With the added function, people will be able to identify where their pets are in real time. Also, owners can choose a suitable LED band depending on the size of their pets. You may wonder about the safety of the product. The pet band hardly emits any electromagnetic waves.  In addition it utilizes LED that generates little heat. Therefore, it does no harm pets. Also, it is convenient for dogs as it is made of ultra-thin silicons, and is very lightweight.

If you want to enjoy a safer time with your adorable puppies, try using this innovative band today!

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Korean startup Podotree

Podotree is a Korean startup that provides various mobile contents to its users. At the start of the business, the company led the education field by developing applications that helped students with their studies. However, it changed its specialty into contents business, by launching the service ‘Kakao Page’ and ‘Daum Webtoon’.

Kakao Page is a platform which provides various cartoons, novels or film contents, and it is operated by both ‘Kakao’ and ‘Podotree’ company. Also, Daum Webtoon takes charge of users’ spare time by offering various cartoons for different days of the week. Following are distinctive services that Podotree presents through these two platforms.

Differentiated services of Podotree

1. ‘If you wait, it will be free’ service 

In the pre-existing system, ‘charged contents’ and ‘free contents’ were obviously divided, and users had to passively accept this structure. If they wanted to consume contents with fee, they had no choice but to make a payment.

Podotree brought about an innovation in this system by presenting ‘If you wait, it will be free’ service for the first time. This is the service that enables people to enjoy charged contents for free if they wait certain amount of time. Users who are willing to wait for a maximum of 3 days can hold on and enjoy mobile contents of fine quality without paying. In contrast, people who want to enjoy them faster with some cost can use charged service. In other words, ‘if you wait, it will be free’ service has expanded consumers’ range of choices. Being free from established stereotypes, people can make a rational decision based on their situations.

2. ’10 minutes first’ service

Most people hesitate to pay for films without much information. Podotree solves this problem by offering ’10 minutes first’ service. This opens the first 10 minutes of movies to its users. Through this service, people can choose whether or not to make a payment. By watching some parts of the movie, they don’t have to make unnecessary costs any longer.

3. ‘Today’s present’ service

Podotree offers various gift certificates to people everyday in the Kakao Page platform. With this service, people can enjoy their favorite works without burdens.

4. ‘Free if you send a gift’ service

If people send a certificate to their acquaintances in Kakao Page, people who bought a gift can also enjoy paid contents for free! They can serve two ends through the service.

If you want to make your spare time more enjoyable and reasonable, try using Podotree!

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Korean startup Tradlinx

Tradlinx is a trade distribution platform that covers the whole processes of export and import. The aim of the company is to connect all of the trade markets around the world. Here are some services that Tradlinx provides.

1. Quotation offering

Before proceeding their exportation, many firms receive quotations from distribution companies. However, it is difficult to know how those prices are arranged or whether the expenses are moderate or not. That is, the pricing process is unclear. Moreover, the quotes by different firms vary a lot, even with the same route.

Tradlinx solves the problem by offering simple and speedy quotations. If users enter some information such as the route or cargo data, they can get several quotes within 24 hours. Firms can cut the costs because Tradlinx offers reasonable estimates, which is about 20% cheaper than the normal price. Also, the service also provides comparative estimates between a number of distribution corporations. Users can draw a comparison for not only expenses but also the time required and the routes taken. They no longer have to visit various websites and compare them one by one.

2. Simple management of documents

With Tradlinx, people don’t have to carry several disordered documents anymore. Tradlinx provides a list of required documents in advance, and let firms simply handles them online.

3. Record keeping

Tradlinx shows people their records of exports and imports. With the service, users don’t have to rummage a drawer to search for their history. Also, if they want to use the same distribution service on equal terms with the past, they can arrange the request with a single click on the Tradlinx website.

4. Freight monitoring system

In today’s trade system, it is difficult to know where my freight is, or whether it has arrived or not. Tradlinx solves this problem by offering freight monitoring system. When the cargo has departed or arrived, users can get email and text messages. Moreover, they can even track the location of their goods in real time.

If you want to utilize smart trade services, try using Tradlinx!

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Korean startup Ziktalk

Ziktalk is a smartphone application that helps its users to enhance their foreign language skills. It is a Korean startup launched in 2016. With the service, people can talk with various foreigners on the phone with a reasonable price.

When they sign up to be a member, they can select the language they want to improve. Then, they are recommended by several competitive tutors around the world. When people find the tutor they want, they can see some information about the person and can look at how much you have to pay for the course. Users can select to have either video calls or voice calls. Unlike the pre-existing academies that have its own fixed schedule, Ziktalk ensures its users to enhance their foreign language skills whenever, or wherever they want.

Some may wonder whether the tutors in the service are qualified or not. Official license and career are specified for each instructor, and comments written by the real students are also posted. Therefore, users can have classes of high quality with trustworthy tutors.

How to select the perfect tutor for me

Everyone has their own criteria. It will achieve synergy to find the tutor that fits me perfectly. Here are some tips to seek for the best tutor.

1. People can set their price range

Users can search for affordable classes by setting up their price range. They do not have to feel burden by the cost.

2. Find the tutor with similar interest

By having a conversation about a matter of common interest, users can enhance their language skills much more effectively.

3. Refer to the ratings

Searching for tutors with high ratings is also important to find a skilled tutor. It is also a good idea to refer to the real comments of the students.

If you want to improve your foreign language skills effectively, try using Ziktalk!

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