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Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you recreate the coveted Korean beauty aesthetic.
Korean makeup is about looking effortlessly beautiful — not by masking your features, but by enhancing them. (Representative Image)
The essence of Korean makeup lies in enhancing your natural beauty with soft touches, radiant skin and a youthful glow. Instead of heavy layers or dramatic features, this approach celebrates healthy skin, subtle definition and dewy finishes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you recreate the coveted Korean beauty aesthetic — starting with skincare and ending with that final luminous touch.
Start with Skincare: Build the Perfect Canvas
Korean makeup is deeply rooted in skincare, and it’s often said that flawless makeup begins with flawless skin. Begin your routine with a double cleanse — an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser to sweep away sweat and dirt from deep within the pores.
Hydration is absolutely essential. After cleansing, apply a hydrating toner, followed by a lightweight essence that preps the skin and enhances absorption of your next steps. Seal in moisture with a nourishing moisturiser, ideally one that gives your skin a soft, plump feel. For an added glow and brightening effect, incorporate skincare containing fermented ingredients like rice water or galactomyces — these are popular in Korean beauty for promoting radiance and hydration over time.
Create a Fresh, Dewy Complexion
A glowing, natural-looking base is at the heart of Korean makeup. Begin with a radiance-enhancing primer to smooth out skin texture and give a luminous boost. Instead of heavy, full-coverage foundation, opt for a lightweight cushion compact or a sheer foundation. Cushion foundations are especially loved for their buildable formula, ease of use and signature dewy finish.
To keep the skin looking fresh and breathable, blend foundation thinly using a soft brush, sponge or even the mesh of the cushion itself. Rather than covering the entire face, apply a small amount and only add extra coverage where needed — usually under the eyes, around the nose or on blemishes — using a brightening concealer.
Embrace Soft Eyes and Natural Brows
Korean eye makeup focuses on enhancing your natural features without going overboard. Eyebrows are typically kept soft, slightly straight and fuller to maintain a youthful appearance. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas and avoid sharp, dramatic arches.
For eyeshadow, choose neutral or earthy tones, applying just one or two light shades to subtly define the eyes. Soft peach, rose beige or champagne shimmer tones work beautifully for everyday wear. Finish with a lengthening or volumising mascara to lift and open the eyes, but skip the heavy liner for a more understated effect.
Add a Natural Flush of Colour
Colour is applied delicately in Korean makeup, focusing on creating a healthy, vibrant glow. Use a cream or liquid blush and gently tap it onto the apples of your cheeks. This gives a fresh, just-pinched look and blends effortlessly into the dewy base.
For lips, a gradient tint is the go-to style. Apply a lip tint or soft lipstick to the inner part of your lips and gently blur it outwards with your fingertip or a cotton swab. This creates a petal-like effect that looks soft, natural and subtly romantic.
Lock It In With a Dewy Finish
To set your makeup without compromising the glow, skip the heavy powders and reach for a hydrating setting mist. A fine spray with glow-boosting ingredients will keep your makeup in place while refreshing your skin throughout the day. It also helps melt all the layers together, giving a seamless, second-skin finish.
Keep Your Skin Glowing Beyond Makeup
Remember, achieving a radiant look goes beyond makeup products — it starts with skin health. Gentle exfoliation, two to three times a week, helps slough off dead skin cells and allows skincare and makeup to sit better on the skin. Incorporating facial massage during your routine can also stimulate circulation, reduce puffiness and bring a natural glow from within.
Korean makeup is about looking effortlessly beautiful — not by masking your features, but by enhancing them. It’s soft, fresh and luminous, with an emphasis on skin that glows from within. With a few mindful steps and the right products, you can recreate this natural, radiant look and feel confident in your own skin — just the way you are.
About the Author
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More
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