With their otherworldly blend of back-breaking, slick moves, addictive bops, and irresistible allure, it’s hard to believe K-pop idols aren’t dubbed the 8th wonder of the world, yet. While us mere mortals may never be able to emulate such god-tier standards of dance moves and vocal range, there is but one thing that puts us in the likes of our favourite K-pop idols: what’s hiding in their make-up bag.
Sadly, unlike their western contemporaries, K-pop stars are often banned from detailing the products they use, due to endorsement deals and contracts. But, we’re no quitters when it concerns these biggest and brightest stars. After spending an undisclosed amount of hours scouring through fan blogs, Twitter accounts, interviews and even live-streams, we’ve compiled 13 products that these global stars are loving.
Eye Shadow
Few and far between commands a sexy, seductive allure like Hwasa. The ultimate queen of foxy eyes achieves her signature look with Tarte’s Tartelette In Bloom palette that features a good mix of earthy browns in matte and shimmery variations.
An ex-member of the sensational Girls’ Generation, Jessica Jung now runs her own fashion empire, Blanc & Eclare, and most recently published a YA novel—‘Shine’. An absolute queen by all standards, if there’s one thing she has that is within our reach is the eye palette she uses. In a video posted on her Youtube channel, she opted for Revlon’s PhotoReady Eye Contour kit for a natural everyday look. After drawing a thin eyeliner, she ran over the flick with Nars Eyeshadow in Galapagos, for a subtle hint of glitter.
Eye Liner
Coining her aesthetic as ‘Saturday Night Out’, M.A.C’s latest global ambassador is rarely seen without a dramatic cat-eye. In one set of M.A.C’s holiday campaign images, the style icon perfects her on-fleek winged eyeliner using her choice of weapon: the M.A.C Brushstroke 24-hour liner.
Mascara
If you can’t glean make-up secrets from the idols themselves, the next best person is probably their make-up artists. In a video for Refinery29, Blackpink’s make-up artist—Myungsun Lee, a.k.a Maen—relies on the drugstore cult-favourite Heroine Kiss Me Mascara to achieve dainty, full fringe eyes.
Face Cushion
The female fatale who was once part of quintet girl groups Wonder Girls and 4Minute, HyunA is one of the most recognisable and bad-ass female figures in the world of k-pop. While she’s known for serving trend-spawning experimental looks, we’re looking into the bare basics for achieving her flawless look: her cushion foundation. In a mini GRWM video she posted on Youtube, HyunA opts for YSL All Hours Cushion in shade #10, which she got whilst on a trip to Bangkok. She adores this compact cushion for a moist, lightweight coverage.
Blush
When it comes to the hallmarks of K-beauty, dewy, radiant and bright cheeks are often spotted on your favourite k-pop idols. Your next add-to-cart blusher is inspired by k-pop queens Blackpink Lisa and Chung-Ha.
If you need another reason to fall in love with Clinique’s cult-favourite Cheek Pop, this power blusher is Chung-Ha approved, in particular, the ‘Melon Pop’ variation that imbues the loveliest peachy, coral sheen.
Dedicated fans of the self-professed make-up aficionado—Blackpink Lisa, identified Bobbi Brown Blush in Pretty Coral amidst her make-stash that she shared on an episode of ‘Get it Beauty—a South Korean beauty tv show. Like Chung Ha, Lisa opts for a bright, coral hue for a look that pops.
Lipstick
Known for her provocative, raunchy allure, she usually pairs a daytime smokey eye with a bright, attention-grabbing lip. She achieves her sensual red pout with YSL Volupté Plump-In-Colour, in shade No.6 Lunatic Red.
Though she’s dubbed a “human Chanel”, Blackpink’s Jennie makes room for Giorgio Armani’s Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick. An ultra-creamy formula infused with concentrated pigments for a lush colour payoff, pucker up for plush velvet matte lips.
The makeup artist behind the nine-member girl group Twice shared a blog post detailing the lip products she reverts to when it comes to year-end ceremonies, one of which is Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte lipstick in shade 388. While the exact shade is now only available on Lancôme’s U.S site, you can get your hands on the other equally dramatic and intense red shades—it’s never too early to stock up on your Chinese New Year red lip, anyways.
Lip Balm
Behind every flawless pout, is a good lip balm. Trust us, it is a total game-changer when it comes to applying your lipstick—especially when you’re opting for a matte or long-wearing formula. Take inspiration from these K-pop idols and say adiós to dry, chapped lips.
Wonder what ‘Mr World-Wide Handsome’ uses to get baby-soft, plush lips? The secret’s out: BTS Kim Seok-jin also known as Jin relies on Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy to keep his pout hydrated, smooth and full throughout the day. This sugar-infused (sugar helps to prevent moisture loss) formula contains sea fennel which is an active ingredient that smoothens the look of fine lines.
Whether you know Sunmi from her iconic Wonder Girls’ days or for her more recent bops, cop the fresh-faced beauty’s favourite tinted lip balm: Dior Lip Glow in 006 Berry. This cult-favourite lip balm combines the comforts of a hydrating lip balm with a natural flush of colour that offers a soft-blurring effect for a, ‘your lips but better’ look.
