Back in March we wrote about the new Korean beauty trend sweeping the UK - cleansing powders. We received so many emails on the back of the piece with many of you keen to know more about the clean simplicity and high quality of the K-beauty scene, so let us introduce East London based, Mélusine Tran (34), the founder of Kōsame Beauty the definitive online destination for Korean skincare and K-beauty products in the UK.

We caught up with the very cool, uber knowledgeable and extremely lovely Mélusine to find out how her love for beauty led her to specialise in Korean beauty products and what a day in her life might look like...

How did you get into K-beauty?

I would travel regularly to Asia for work (I owned an accessories brand and also worked freelance in the fashion industry) and would always come back with tons of Asian skincare, toners, essences, ampoules, sheet masks, and anything green tea filling my luggage. Skincare shopping in Asia is so much fun and I have always enjoyed sharing my findings with friends - turning this passion into a business made perfect sense.

Then eight years ago, I read The Law of Creative Marketing by Katalin Berenyi (founder of Erborian and now president of Clarins) and found myself instantly fascinated with the concept of K-beauty, this really kickstarted the idea that became Kōsame Beauty.

Why did you want to have your own business?

I am French/Italian/Vietnamese, so I’ve always had an interest in the East and West. Upon discovering K-beauty, I knew that I wanted to bring Korean skincare and cosmetics to the UK and Europe. That’s when Kōsame Beauty was born, a space where K-beauty is accessible.

What are the upsides of going it alone?

As a queer, mixed-race woman coming from a working-class background, inclusivity and diversity are extremely important to me. Kōsame Beauty is a minority-owned business and a one-woman show. I love the thought of making my own mark within a male-led non-inclusive industry for myself and others.

What’s the worst part of the job?

It can be stressful and overwhelming being the only employee. Knowing how to take a step back isn’t easy but it’s so necessary.

What time do you set your alarm?

6.30am. I used to be extremely anxious in the morning as the first thing I would do was to check my phone, see all the notifications, and get into work mode before I was even awake. I decided to remove ALL notifications from my phone a few months ago and never looked back. Now I have half an hour to wake up, have a coffee on my balcony and collect my thoughts before I begin my day!

What is your morning beauty routine?

I am quite minimalist in the morning. I’ll double cleanse using an oil cleanser and my favourite COSRX Good Morning Gel cleanser - it’s fresh, gentle, and is my first step to waking up (before coffee..!). I’ll follow with a hydrating Hyaluronic Acid toner (one that plumps the skin like the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner), a lightweight soothing moisturiser and finish with the non-negotiable step of my routine - my SPF.

What does a typical day look like?

Because the brands I work with are all based in South Korea, the first thing I do is to go through my emails. I am very much used to working from home, so if it’s sunny I’ll definitely pop out on the balcony to catch up on Kōsame Beauty’s social media. I have a sweet spot in the living room where I work most of the day. Over my lunch I catch up on Youtube where I keep up with the latest K-beauty launches and product reviews. My favourites to tune into are are James Welsh, Hyram and Beauty Within.

What was your most memorable working day?

Being your own boss, and having an e-commerce business means I can be anywhere in the world and still work. I moved to Bali for a few months to focus on Kōsame Beauty when I first started the business and I can confidently say that every working day was epic. I’d hit the gym at sunrise and finish every day on the beach to watch the sunset, before going back home to work again.

Which moment makes you feel most proud?

When customers get in touch to say how much our products have changed their skin and, in turn, their confidence. Helping our customers and guiding them is by far the most rewarding part of my job!

What do you do after work?

I hit the gym with my fiancé! He is my best friend and having that time to decompress and talk about our days together is essential to me.

What is your bedtime beauty routine? Oh, this is where the fun begins! My evening routine is my favourite thing. I generally go all-in on in the evening. I’ll start with a simple double cleanse, using my favourite cleansing milk from Sioris and the Dr Althea Gentle Bubble Cleanser. It’s enriched with amino acids and leaves my skin supple and bright. The evening is the perfect time to layer more products. I combine 2 toners: an exfoliating one with AHA is good for my pores and skin texture, followed by a soothing one (Centella or Tea Tree based). For my evening serum, I like something that’s thick but not sticky - the beta-glucan one from iUNIK is my go-to for brightening and hydrating my skin. I can be a little picky when it comes to evening moisturiser. I’m totally in love with the Dr Althea Azulene Soothing Cream, it’s relaxing and does a very good job at restoring my complexion.

What would you recommend for those starting on their K-beauty journey?
K-Beauty is for everyone! Your skincare routine needn’t be complicated. Sheet masks are a fun introduction for all ages and skin types. If you are serious about getting results I’d introduce double cleansing as the first step to your skincare routine: with an oil or balm cleanser to melt the dirt and makeup. Then, use a low ph foam cleanser for the actual cleanse, these simple steps will do wonder for your skin. Finally, prevention is better than cure, never forget your SPF!

What’s next for you and Kōsame?

We've been busy working on a lifestyle project that we'll hopefully release this summer, it's centred around self-care and what it means to us, keep your eyes peeled!

Visit www.kosamebeauty.com

The UK’s Queen Bee of K-Beauty