Before glass skin entered the beauty lexicon, there was transparent make-up. Its moment of conception? 2001, in a South-Korean romantic-comedy titled My Sassy Girl. The film detailed the unconventional love story between an engineering student and an aspiring scriptwriter, providing an intriguing take on universal themes centering grief, gender norms, and the like. Widespread acclaim followed in the wake of its release, with audiences praising the keenly-written script and stellar acting by main leads, Cha Tae-Hyun and Jun Ji-Hyun. And while My Sassy Girl is often considered to be actress Jun Ji-Hyun’s breakout role, it is also thought to be the launchpad of another individual’s success. Enter: Korean make-up artist Jung Saem Mool.
The creative tour de force spawned a revolution with the conception of natural, ‘transparent’ make-up, characterised by a clear, poreless complexion, full brows, and just a hint of lipstick. It was a marked shift from the heavy eyeliner and smoky shadows favoured by the celebrity set at the time; the kickoff point of a new wave that embraced the philosophy of less is more. Still, that’s not to say that Jung Saem Mool utilised a lesser number of products or techniques in the crafting of such subtlety. Rather, it was a comprehensive understanding of facial structure and colour theory that shaped her skillset and signature style—of which is reflected in her eponymous label, JUNGSAEMMOOL.
To chart a new course
It’s safe to say that JUNGSAEMMOOL debuted in 2015 to a great deal of fanfare. Complexion products lay at the heart of the buzz, with the brand’s unique duo-pan Essential Star-Cealer Foundation and Essential Skin Nuder Cushion rapidly earning cult-favourite status amongst beauty buffs. Both products are designed to enhance and bolster a person’s skin; an exemplification of Jung Saem Mool’s personal credo centering make-up that brings out the beauty in an individual.
This is surmised in a catchphrase, of which is emblazoned on the walls and floors of the latest JUNGSAEMOOL store in Singapore: #FindYoutiful. The newly opened beauty emporium located at 27 Scotts Road marks many firsts for the brand—this is JUNGSAEMOOL’S only flagship store outside of Seoul, for one, and also the first time that the label’s retail space, salon, and academy are housed in a single building.
What this means is that the flagship serves as an ultimate beauty destination. The bottom floor comprises an immersive shopping area harbouring an immense variety of JUNGSAEMOOL products to play with, ranging from revered base make-up picks to underrated skincare gems. Just a few steps away is the masterclass room, where Jung Saem Mool herself—currently based in Singapore—educates prospective make-up artists alongside her team. Up the stairs is the salon and make-up studio respectively, where consumers are able to whip their mane into shape with a wash, blowdry, and styling session accompanied with a make-over by JUNGSAEMOOL beauty professionals.
A maestro of make-up
While a visit to the JUNGSAEMOOL flagship is certainly in order, insight from Jung Saem Mool herself is far from guaranteed with a visit. Luckily for you, the Vogue Singapore team has done the legwork. Below, a make-up demonstration from the icon herself where she shares the best tips and tricks behind scoring a flawless base in Singapore’s relentless heat. Get to taking notes, stat.
Tell us about the three essential Jungsaemmool products you think every Singaporean should own.
I’ve noticed that a lot of Singaporean women have combination skin, because it’s hot outside but cold inside due to air-conditioning. So, often there will be dead skin cells, whiteheads, or blackheads that are visible under their foundation. In that vein, I think our Essential Skin Nuder Cushion Foundation—which is one of our best sellers—helps cover these flaws and makes the skin look smooth. This is perfectly suitable for combination skin types.
The second product that I would recommend is our BeginS Pore Perfecting Serum. Again, because of the hot and humid weather here, many women have enlarged pores, but this pore serum helps to tighten pores. Lastly, I would recommend the Sun-sual Vita-capsule Sun. Our sunblock has Vita-capsules inside that keep the skin healthy and moisturised. From an artist’s perspective, this sunscreen is designed to prevent make-up from smudging after applying and helps it stay on for many hours.
What does the future of K-Beauty look like to you?
The future of K-beauty is incredibly promising. I believe it will continue to thrive. This is because the essence of K-beauty lies in honouring ‘individual uniqueness’. It’s crucial to recognize your own distinctiveness through professional personal colour analysis first. I believe that K-beauty is poised to become a global phenomenon. The reason being, ‘individual beauty’ translates into the most internationally competitive advantage.
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Are there any upcoming K-Beauty trends that you’re particularly excited about?
There are two types of make-up trends that I am interested in these days. Firstly, any make-up trends evolved from tech. I am also interested in the development of technology myself. For example, in the past, you’d have to apply glitters manually. Nowadays, however, with the use of technology, there are artificial methods to apply various types of pigments to showcase a diverse range of looks. I see many different kinds of pearl pigments of varying sizes and textures, all sparkling and glittery in a lot of K-Pop stars’ make-up.
Second, any trend that is influenced by sustainability. The ongoing production of waste has become a critical issue in our society. The importance of sustainable living and considering the future of the next generation is emerging as a crucial issue. Not only in relation to recycled packages or environmentally-friendly ingredients, but also make-up looks related to a clean, natural, and pure aesthetic. Think watercolour-like shades, including pink or peach, without using sharp lines for definition.
