Few command the influence over your next purchase like K-celebrities. Their lifestyles give rise to the next craze, especially in beauty. Countless Korean makeup looks have already taken the world by storm, and the end is nowhere in sight. For a refresher on these beauty trends for your next glam session, read on and draw inspiration from your favourite Hallyu celebs.
Korean Makeup Looks to Try
Koreans are the true gatekeepers of the beauty code. From dewy, glass skin to the comeback of Y2K beauty trends, there isn’t a look they can’t unlock. Take your pick from these styles you can easily recreate!
1. Lee Hyeri’s natural look
Lead star Lee Hyeri plays a university student in My Roommate is a Gumiho. And when you’re rushing from class to class, it’s hard to find time to put on makeup. So, a barely-there, no-makeup look was on point for her role. To achieve this, start with a clean and moisturised face. Then, use a primer or foundation with glow-boosting benefits to make your skin look illuminated from within.
For your blush and eyeshadow, choose colour palettes in matching shades of nude or peach-ish pink to keep it soft and seamless. When applying eyeliner, precision is what you want to achieve. Swap the black liner for a brown shade for a more natural look. Draw a tight line on your upper lids. Keep it clean and simple. No drama, no wings, no cat eyes – just a straight shot line.
2. Yuju’s bronze-y smoky eyes
K-pop idol Yuju captures a low-key luxurious look with her sun-kissed smoky shadow. For this, skip the dark grey or black and opt for a rich walnut brown. Then, top it off with brown eyeliner. Pull your look together by choosing a warm shade of red with brown or orange undertones.
3. Sunmi’s coral flush
Another former girl group member and beauty trendsetter is Sunmi. During her performance in Heart Burn, she dazzled fans with a coral flush that matched her ginger waves. The K-pop queen even added faux freckles with an eyebrow pencil to complete her peachy look.
Transform your face from drab to fab by choosing a blush that offers multitasking benefits to your skin. For instance, a cushion blush will help you get a dewy, watercolour-like flush. Bonus points if you find face tint infused with hydrating ingredients so you can look and feel amazing all day!
4. Seohyun’s teal flicks
If you love colour in your liner, this Korean makeup look is for you. Former Girls’ Generation member Seohyun made broad strokes in the K-beauty sphere with her winged flick. With etched dashes of teal and buttery yellow on the outer and inner corners of her eyes, the Hallyu superstar evokes a look that’s giving pixie fairy in the summer.
To make your flick, draw a dot and angle your tip up and out. Choose a liquid or gel eyeliner in shades of blue, teal, or aqua for a Korean girl vibe as cool as Seohyun’s.
5. Soyeon’s under-eye glam
In Western makeup, you apply blush along the angles of your face. But for K-beauty, blush application requires a softer approach. Instead of a high angle, Koreans target the centre of the apples for a subtler effect. Additionally, K-pop celebs like Soyeon have embraced a different blush trend known as the under-eye blush.
Aegyo-sal takes under-eye makeup up a notch. This K-beauty trend refers to the roll of skin beneath your eyes, which can make you look young and innocent. To get this wide-eyed, childlike look, start by drawing in with contour. Then, blend the outline with a matte highlighter to create a soft shadow that will make your eyes pop.
6. Kim Dal Mi’s gradient pout
Kim Dal Mi from Itaewon Class sports a perfectly imperfect gradient lip that’s signature to any Korean makeup look. Embrace the trend with a two-toned lipstick to add a dual-chromatic, showstopping dimension to your lips! Pro tip: dab some gloss on the centre of your pout to get luscious, kissable lips.
Your lips aren’t the only ones deserving attention. Get a head-to-toe glam-up by treating yourself to a spa day. Go ahead and explore the latest in nail and foot care treatments. Don’t forget to spoil your hair, too. Or, you can also give yourself a celebrity smile with a radiant set of perfectly straight teeth. On your next dental appointment, inquire about ClearCorrect aligners for a discreet and comfy solution to your crooked teeth.
Sure, Korean makeup looks may seem unattainable. But with a little bit of research and some trial and error, you can recreate these beauty trends yourself. Shimmy over to the K-beauty aisle, follow these tips, and get ready to steal the spotlight!
References:
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty. (2020, April 1). How To Do Winged Eyeliner 3 Ways | Charlotte Tilbury [Video]. YouTube.
Measuring the Impact of Hallyu on Korea’s Economy: Setting Off on the Wrong Foot – Korea Economic Institute of America. (2021, October 21). Korea Economic Institute of America.
