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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Lisa
For the Blackpink members, celebrity make-up artist Maeng wields her brush to achieve a myriad of versatile looks—but we especially love Lisa’s look at the opening of the “Eternally Reborn” exhibition in Seoul for Bvlgari. On her cheeks is one of our favourite liquid blushes to date: the Dear Dahlia Petal Drop Liquid Blush.
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Winter of Aespa
Winter’s always been behind K-beauty household brand Espoir, and we especially love her latest campaign for the brand’s kaleidoscopic products—like its Eye Core Palette in Vintage Mute.
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Minnie of (G)I-DLE
She’s already a favoured face of the long established K-beauty brand, but if you’re asking Minnie what her favourite 3CE product is? It’ll be the high-shine finish of her 3CE Shine Reflector.
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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. Touted by its starry ambassador, Wonyoung of IVE, the brand’s latest product—that’s also earning points for its wearable aesthetic—is its Ring Lip Balm.
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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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Lee Hye-ri
A trademark K-beauty look? Aegyo sal. But to achieve it? Trust that most celebrities—and their make-up artists included—use Too Cool For School’s Frottage eye pencil to achieve the look. Likewise, celebrity make-up artist Maeng used it on Hye-ri for the actress-singer’s appearance at the Sacai show in Paris last September.
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Too Cool For School Frottage Pencil
$15, available at Olive Young.
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Miyeon of (G)I-DLE
There’s no question that Miyeon’s always been blessed with a face card like no other—so we’re certain WakeMake scored on that front. To achieve this tone-on-tone lavender look, it’s the brand’s holiday edition of its dewy gloss mainstay that has earned her attention.
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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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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 ambassador 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. But when he needs to crank up the celebrity front and pad on the stage make-up? It’s the brand’s Banila Co Covericious Ultimate White Cushion SPF38 PA++ that’s certainly won his heart.
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Banila Co Covericious Ultimate White Cushion SPF38 PA++
$44.90, available at Banila Co. Singapore.
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Jeon Somi
It was always going to happen. Long known to be a beauty enthusiast, Jeon Somi made the move to start her own beauty label, Glyf—and it’s been a certified hit with the crowd. Fronting her own brand, she wears the latest of its small yet growing line-up: the Illuètte Highlighter Palette.
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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
That fruity, juicy burst of colour you’ve probably been seeing on Jihyo’s luscious lips? We’re owing it to MilkTouch’s glossy tint which the idol’s recently been promoting, having even shot a campaign for them last June.
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MilkTouch Jelly Fit Tinted Glow Lip Tint
$19.90, available at MilkTouch.
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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.
