Honest review from my own purchase! I've used about 5 tubes of the Holika Tone Up Cream Fresh, which I absolutely adore. But lately, it's been feeling a bit dry, so when I heard about the new Tone Up Serum, I decided to give it a try! Here's a comparison:
The Tone Up Cream Fresh is white, giving a beautifully bright complexion. It feels slightly sticky when applying and can pill a bit if you layer it, but it leaves your skin looking matte. It has great staying power and doesn't transfer, which is why I've gone through about 5 tubes.
As for the Tone Up Cream Glow, I felt it only gave surface-level shine. It also transferred easily, and I honestly don't even know where mine is after using it once or twice. If you're considering this one, I'd say the Tone Up Serum is a better choice.
The Tone Up Serum has a thin, creamy texture and a pink tint, which gives a more natural brightening effect. It applies smoothly with a hydrating feel and no stickiness. It doesn't clump or pill when layered, which is great! However, it did feel a bit dry after fully absorbing. The finish has more of a glow compared to the cream version. While its staying power isn't exceptional, it does last quite well. Oh, and it has sun protection, which is a bonus!
I'll need to use it consistently to know for sure, but the hydration isn't as impressive as I'd hoped. Also, among Holika's tone-up products, the ingredients don't seem particularly outstanding, which is a bit disappointing.
If you want a really natural, lively brightening effect from Holika's products, go for the Tone Up Serum. If you prefer a whiter, more matte finish, choose the Tone Up Cream Fresh.
Update after 3 days: I've switched back to the Tone Up Cream. Unfortunately, the serum caused some blemishes for me.
