K-beauty has officially gone mainstream. Though if your first thought is the lit-from-within, glass skin now strongly associated with the realm, then that’s not quite all we mean. Although the ethereal world of Korean skincare does go unrivalled when it comes to achieving that dewy complexion, beauty buffs would know that the galaxy-spanning universe of K-beauty goes beyond just its well-informed skin routines and efficacious combinations of rice water, centella asiatica-infused serums, sheet masks and invisible pimple patches. Meaning: skincare aside, it has also demonstrated a knack for creating make-up items and hair tools that are as formidable as its skin products.
The immense reception they’ve subsequently received in our parts of town also shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially when so much of these blushes, eyeshadow palettes and lip products had initially been dreamt up to suit Asian skin tones in the first place. Certain trends have also influenced the zeitgeist and are best achieved with Korean make-up products—think those velvety matte make-up looks, the light, feathery brows or the plump, glossy pout that had been making its rounds all of last year. This has also left K-beauty junkies only more obsessed with certain cult make-up brands leading the charge, from 3CE and Amuse to Rom&nd and Clio. Yet, if one had to consider a surefire influence in the world of Korean make-up, perhaps nothing sells quite like star power does. More specifically, it is the irresistible influence of South Korean celebrities that goes unparalleled in this regard. Be it devoted fan or just your regular beauty junkie-next-door, what fills the vanity arsenals of our favourite K-pop stars and South Korean actors has long tickled the fancy of many.
Alas, it is common knowledge that the make-up artists of South Korean stars do not possess the equal amount of freedom as their Western counterparts when it comes to revealing the full lowdown on various looks (due to confidentiality contracts and the like). Yet one must not discount the due diligence exacted by their legion of fans. So below, we’ve found a slew of Korean make-up products that have been incorporated into the daily looks of your favourite Korean stars, many of whom have also since cinched ambassadorship contracts with their favourite brands.
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Wonyoung of IVE
Amuse has achieved something of cult status in South Korea, and it’s easy to understand why with its long-lasting, buildable formulations. Case in point? The Amuse Jel-Fit Tint, which has been touted by its starry ambassador, Wonyoung of IVE.
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Jennie
No surprises here—Jennie’s long been a Hera Beauty ambassador, and the latest crimson hue for the Rouge Classy range is one she sports with ease.
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Ningning of Aespa
For her rendezvous in Tokyo, Aespa’s make-up artist revealed that Aritaum’s brow mascara was wielded in order to achieve her feathery-light brown brows—creating a tone-on-tone effect with her brown liner.
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Aritaum Matte Formula Brow Mascara in Dark Brown
$12.50, available at Qoo10.
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Winter of Aespa
Winter’s always been behind K-beauty household brand Espoir, and most especially its range of cushion foundations. With its light to medium coverage and hydrating formulation, there’s enough reason to see why this portable pick would be a go-to for those looking to do touch-ups on the go.
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Yunjin of Le Sserafim
Yunjin’s poppy, cool-girl aesthetic goes perfectly in line with Wakemake’s vibrant palette—from its range of eye palettes to dewy lip products.
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Jeonghan of Seventeen
Seventeen’s Jeonghan has been a longtime favourite of Banila Co, and he’s even been known to have used the brand’s cult make-up cleanser—the Banila Co Clean It Zero—on a livestream before. For its latest range of blushes, the brand ambassador shows off the velvety blurring effect of the powder formulation in the campaign.
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Jeon Somi
In a ‘Beauty Secrets’ video with Vogue, the K-soloist reveals that she uses the 3CE Matte Lip in 224 Delicate to achieve the creamy, blurred-out lip look for her pout.
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Minji of NewJeans
NewJeans’s make-up artist commonly uses popular K-beauty brands Rom&nd and Dasique–especially when it comes to imbuing the girls’ miens with light, pastel hues. The Dasique four-palette is undeniably a perfect addition to the vanity, with just the right amount of colour range to use on the cheeks and lids.
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Jihyo of Twice
In her ‘Beauty Secrets’ Vogue video, Jihyo reveals that a dusting of contour on her cheekbones and jawline using Too Cool For School’s palette is how she achieves a snatched finish—after she’s piled on the blush.
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Too Cool for School Artclass by Rodin Shading
$37, available at iHerb.
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Kazuha of Le Sserafim
There’s no denying that Etude House is a mainstay in most K-beauty junkies arsenals. This particular Fixing Tint is one of Kazuha’s favoured lip tints, and rightfully so, considering its long-lasting, staining pigment.
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Karina of Aespa
Simple and sincere in its colour offerings. The water-based, hydrating blusher pick from A’Pieu has been revealed to be a trusty reach for Aespa’s make-up artists—and have been used on Karina to give her a radiant pop.
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Key of SHINee
SHINee’s collab with Etude House came through in a series of eyeshadow palettes–and the dark, plum hues in the Legendary Taro Cherry is definitely something Key wouldn’t shy away from.
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Bibi
Bibi makes a strong case for Dear Dahlia, and its Dream Velvet Lip Tint is one that is deliciously matte, and primed to give every pout that airbrushed finish.
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Rosé
To create a seamless look with her blonde tresses, Rosé uses the 3CE Easy Brow Designing Pencil in Light Blonde, and achieves the matte, soft texture, perfect for a natural, everyday look.
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Danielle of NewJeans
Rom&nd’s blushes and lip products have officially achieved cult status—so much so it’s hard to believe it started as a drugstore brand. Its blushes are suitably soft and moody, to give a refreshing flush that’s well-suited for the youthful girls of NewJeans.
