South Koreans are known to bring their A game when it comes to the world of beauty. With the many K-pop bands, flawless Korean models and gripping K-drama stars dominating fashion campaigns, it’s no wonder the world is taking notes. Previously, we spoke about how important and vital it is to South Koreans to fully cleanse and nourish the skin. Apart from looking after the skin, Koreans are big on achieving the perfect, natural look with makeup.
From eye bags to gradient lips, below are some of the vital Korean makeup tips and trends that are taking the world by storm.
Dewy Skin
A luminous complexion is the first step towards a fresh and rested look. Koreans call this kind of skin 물광피부 (mul-kwang-pi-bu) which means watery light skin, or “dewy” skin. This is not be confused with an oily or shiny face. In Korean terms, shiny skin that is soft like a baby’s bottom is popular because it helps achieve a more youthful look. The key steps to achieving this effect are exfoliation and hydration, and requires a basic combination of multitasking products, such as a BB cream and a mist. A luminizing makeup primer or liquid illuminator under your base makeup can also be used to help achieve the dewy glow.
Straight Eyebrows
Most Korean idols sport perfectly shaped and colored eyebrows. Eyebrows without an arch are meant to look sweet and youthful, giving the face a softer, lighter and more innocent look.
Aegyo-sal
Aegyo-sal means “eye smiles” and describes the fat pockets under the eyes. South Koreans consider eye bags to be youthful and cute because they are thought to make the eyes appear rounder, fuller, and younger. Usually, a shimmering highlight is applied to the eye bags to make the eyes appear bright and glowing.
Puppy Eyes
While smokey eyes and dramatic wings do have their place in K-beauty, everyday makeup looks usually include paler hues and softer looks around the eyes. Opposite of the beloved cat eye, puppy eye is designed to make the eyes look sweeter, rounder and bigger. Instead of a sharp flick upwards, the eyeliner extends downwards following the eye’s natural slope. A little shimmer on the eye bags can create dreamy, serene eyes.
Flushed Cheeks
Pink, orange, peach or coral Koreans love the natural makeup look and prefer colors that will make the cheek look like they are naturally flushed. The blush is swept high along the cheekbone for a fresh and pretty glow.
Gradient Lips
The gradient lip is simply a way to make the mouth look like you’ve been sucking on a cherry popsicle. Gradient lips are popular in South Korea because it creates an illusion of a smaller lip and also gives a youthful and innocent glow to the face. The lips can appear extremely natural-looking when you use pink and red shades. Below are the steps to achieving the perfect cherry pop lips:
- Apply a concealer, base, or nude lipstick over the lips.
- Using a brush or finger, apply pretty pink or red lipstick or lip tint to the center of the lips and blend outwards.
The increasing popularity of Korean beauty is undeniable, and the above basic features are all part of the trending Korean makeup look that help achieve both a vivid and natural appearance. For those who want to try something new, the soft and sweet K-beauty look is definitely one to try!
All photos taken by Maytinee Kramer
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