K-Beauty Makeup Trends: How to Do Your Makeup Like a Korean Idol

Translated from the Korean original.

K-Beauty Makeup Trends: Creating Skin That Glows Like an Idol

K-beauty did not win over the world simply because the products are good. Korean makeup has a philosophy: “Do not look like you are trying to be pretty — just look pretty.” Skin that glows naturally rather than looking forced: that is the heart of K-beauty makeup.

1. Glow Skin — dewy, luminous skin

K-beauty makeup always starts with how the skin is finished. The goal is not to cover the face thickly, but to make the skin itself look healthy and luminous. Cushion foundation is the key item for that glow. Cushions from Korean brands such as HERA, Sulwhasoo and AMOREPACIFIC have become must-haves for beauty fans worldwide thanks to their light, dewy coverage.

Base makeup order: sunscreen → primer → cushion foundation → setting spray. Spraying setting spray at the very end keeps the dewiness going all day.

2. Gradient Lip — lips that look stained

Where Western makeup fills in the entire lip, K-beauty prefers a gradient lip that fades from the inner lip outward. It is the “juicy lip” look, as if the color has soaked in naturally. The method is simple: dab lipstick or tint lightly onto the inner part of the lips only, then pat outward with your fingertip so it blends softly.

3. Defining monolid eyes — the underline eyeliner

Drawing eyeliner along the lower inner rim rather than the upper lid is a hallmark of K-beauty eye makeup. It makes the eyes look bigger and better defined. Kept subtle with a brown liner, it works perfectly for everyday makeup. The latest trend is the “detached eyeliner” look: a short liner drawn only at the outer corner.

4. Blusher and highlighting — cheeks with a gentle flush

The point of K-beauty blusher is “looking slightly flushed, as if you just came back from a workout.” Blend a pink, peach or coral blusher diagonally from below the cheekbone toward the nose. Add highlighter on the bridge of the nose, the triangle under the eyes and the cupid’s bow for dimension.

K-beauty essentials you can buy at Olive Young

Olive Young, found everywhere in Korea, is the holy ground of K-beauty. If it is your first visit, just remember these:

• romand Zero Velvet Tint — the textbook of the gradient lip
• CLIO Kill Cover cushion — the best value-for-money cushion foundation
• ETUDE Play Color Eyes — eyeshadow palettes in a wide range of colors
• 3CE Multi Eye Color — usable on eyes, cheeks and lips alike
• NAKE Naked Blusher — a natural-looking pink blusher

The heart of K-beauty makeup is taking things away. Nothing overdone, everything in harmony. Out of that balance comes the beauty of K-beauty. One trip to Olive Young is all it takes for you to become a K-beauty expert too. 💄