Similar to Korean skin care, Korean makeup is all about looking youthful, dewy and radiant. When it comes to Korean beauty, skin care always comes first, which is what led to the rise in popularity of the ten-step Korean skin care routine. In comparison, Korean makeup is kept to a more minimal side and usually doesn’t require a lengthy regimen.
A Korean makeup routine can include as many as ten steps, but a simple, everyday makeup look can be achieved as long as you master the four basic steps of Korean makeup. These include base, eye, cheek and lip makeup.
One of the most popular types of Korean makeup is BB cream. While BB creams can be considered as makeup foundations or base makeup, the main difference between the two is that BB creams feature a lighter texture and give a more natural finish that allows your skin to shine through. Most BB creams are also infused with added skin care ingredients that leave the skin moisturized and supple. Cushion foundations, another popular Korean makeup item, have taken the K-Beauty world by storm in recent years. Just like BB creams, cushion foundations offer light coverage that is buildable. Most cushion foundations also have added sun protection.
The next step is eye makeup. Korean eye makeup focuses on making the eyes appear natural with a bit of glam. While there are plenty of eye shadows that are available in vibrant colors, you’ll find that most Korean eye shadow palettes feature neutral shades such as pink or brown hues. Eye makeup is never complete without perfect brows! Korean beauty takes inspiration from K-pop stars who flaunt straight eyebrows, sometimes slightly arched, for a more natural and innocent look. Mascara is also an important part of Korean eye makeup as it helps open up your eyes, making them appear bigger instantly. Instead of false lashes, there are plenty of Korean mascaras that can give you long and natural-looking lashes.
Blushes are a must-have makeup item for your cheeks. Besides powder blushes, cream blushes and blush cushions have been gaining popularity as these formulations give a more glowy and natural-looking flush.
To complete your makeup look, a lip product is essential. Lip tints are the most popular type of Korean lip makeup as they are highly pigmented without looking overdone. Lip tints are also long-lasting and don’t smudge as easily as classic lipsticks. Plus, they allow you to create gradient lips, which is a popular look in K-Beauty. S