Korean Style Makeup – Step By Step Tutorial With Images

Korean-style makeup is all the rage these days, and for good reasons. Bold makeup has been done to death, and beauty influencers worldwide are now obsessed with everything K beauty and their cosmetics too. The flawless and radiant glass-like skin of the Koreans has become a dream for many. They have shown us how to create magic with soft pinks and shimmery white colors. Simple Korean makeup is perfect for the summer months as it is light and breezy and keeps you feeling fresh all day. So, if you want to know all about rocking a Korean makeup look, you have landed on the right page. Our step-by-step tutorial can help you achieve the desired look in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Transform into a Korean diva and show off your look. Swipe up for the details!

Keep In Mind

• Soft, Natural Brows: Soft, Natural Brows Use a brow pencil or powder to fill any sparse areas and brush them outwards for a feathery effect.
• Subtle Blush: Soft, Natural Brows Use a cream or liquid blush and blend it onto the apples of your cheeks for a natural-looking flush.
• Highlighter Is The Key: Soft, Natural Brows Highlighter is essential to achieving the Korean dewy look. Use a liquid or cream highlighter on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, nose bridge, and forehead.
• Lip Tints: Soft, Natural Brows Lip tints are a popular trend in Korean makeup. Use a lip tint to create a sublime flush on your lips, or apply it to your cheeks for a candid blush.

Cultural Influence Of Korean Beauty Trends

Korean beauty standards prioritize a natural and dewy look which is reflected in their skin care regimes as well as makeup looks. However, K-beauty is all about artistic expression and related trends go beyond aesthetics to impact how we view skin care. Here is a look at the cultural influence of Korean beauty trends and how they have transformed the global beauty landscape.

1. Skin Care As Self-Care

One of the hallmarks of Korean beauty culture is its emphasis on skin care. Koreans typically view skin care as an essential routine rather than an indulgence. Unlike traditional Western beauty, where makeup is often seen as a quick solution to skin concerns, K-beauty emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving radiant skin. They take their skin health just as seriously as they would their general physical health.

2. The Rise Of Natural Beauty

The ‘glass skin’ trend epitomizes the Korean beauty ideal. Unlike heavy contouring or bold makeup looks from the West, Korean beauty embraces a no-makeup, high-glow look. This trend has set new beauty goals for people globally.

3. Innovations In Beauty Products

Korean beauty companies are known for their groundbreaking product innovations. The introduction of BB creams, cushion compacts, sheet masks, and essence toners are all examples of K-beauty innovations that have taken the world by storm.

4. The Impact Of Korean Pop Culture

Korean entertainment culture, especially K-pop and K-dramas, has been instrumental in spreading K-beauty trends. Idols like BTS, BLACKPINK, and popular K-drama stars have massive fan followings worldwide, and their beauty routines, skin care secrets, and fashion choices are heavily emulated.

As Korean beauty continues to grow, it is clear that these trends are not merely passing fads, but culturally significant movements.

Let us now scroll down for some products you will need to invest in for creating a Korean makeup look.

Essential Products For The Perfect Korean Makeup Look

Here is a list of essential products to help you achieve that signature K-beauty look.

• Foundation: Lightweight formula with a dewy finish for a glass-skin look.
• Cushion Compacts: Foundation-soaked sponges in convenient portable cases, offering a natural look.
• Concealers: Formulas with buildable coverage for brightening the under-eye area or covering minor blemishes.
• Blush: Soft, rosy tones to enhance natural beauty. Cream and cushion blushes are favored as they blend well into the skin easily.
• Eyeshadow: Peachy, pink, or earthy tones to subtly define the eye area.
• Eyeliner: Korean eyeliners are used to create a soft, natural look, often with a puppy-eye effect to make the eyes look larger and rounder.
• Mascara: Korean mascaras are designed for natural volume and length without clumping. Many formulas are waterproof, making them long-lasting and resistant to smudging.
• Eyebrow Products: Straight, soft brows are a signature look in Korean makeup. Brow pencils and tints help create a natural, full brow.
• Lipsticks: Lip tints are essential in Korean beauty, as they provide a just-bitten look. They are often lightweight and long-lasting.
  Setting Spray: A setting spray or finishing powder can help maintain the dewy glow.

So, now that you are all set with the products you need, let us now move to how you can achieve Korean makeup on your own.

Korean Makeup Tutorial

Before you jump straight to the steps, ensure you prep your skin thoroughly. Following a thorough Korean skin care routine will help you create the ideal base for your makeup, keeping your skin healthy and luminous. Now let’s take a look at the steps:

Step 1: Apply Creamy White Or Nude Kohl To Hide Pigmentation In Your Eye Area

Koreans are blessed with flawless and radiant skin with absolute no signs of dullness or darkness

. So, let’s start by concealing all the darkness to reveal the fresh and radiant skin beneath. I have used the Kryolan Derma Camouflage Concealer to hide and lighten my dark circles.

Next, let’s move towards the eye makeup. Pick a creamy white or nude kohl and thickly cover up your eye area up to the brows to lighten and remove pigmentation on your eye area. Don’t bother trying to be neat—we’ll be smudging it later, so don’t sweat it. Ensure the creamy base applied on the lid does not have a shimmer as this will make the application difficult for other eye shadows on top.

Quick Tip

A major part of perfect K-makeup is a perfect skin care routine. Make double-cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen a regular part of your skin care routine for any K-makeup tutorial to work flawlessly.

Step 2: Apply A Shimmery White Eyeshadow

Apply a shimmery white, silver or a champagne eyeshadow above the kohl and softly blend it with a blending eyeshadow brush

. Here, I have used the Revlon eyeshadow in Sand.

Step 3: Apply A Soft Shimmery Medium Brown Shade To The Upper Lash Line

Korean makeup style doesn’t emphasize the eyeshadows on the crease so we would be focusing the eye makeup only on the upper and the lower lash line

. Apply a soft shimmery medium brown shade to the upper lash line and softly blend it with the silver eyeshadow.

Step 4: Apply Shimmery Turquoise Kohl To The Lower Lash Line

Apply shimmery turquoise kohl to the lower lash line to lift the eye makeup. Here, I used the Maybelline Colossal in Turquoise. Set this kohl with a matching eyeshadow to prevent creasing of the liner. Then, line your waterline with soft nude kohl to create soft eye look as black or brown can look harsh for the Korean style makeup. Here, I used the Oriflame Nude Kohl pencil.

Step 5: Apply Mascara And Black Eyeliner To Your Upper Lash Line

Use a black eye liner and apply it on your upper lash line to define your eyes

. Gently wing it outwards to elongate and give an illusion of a bigger eye. Here, I used the Kryolan Black liquid liner. Then, apply mascara to complete the eye look.

Step 6: Apply A Soft Pink Blush

Apply a light bb cream to neutralize your complexion. Here, I have used the Lakme CC cream in the shade Bronze. Then, set it with a compact to prevent budging or creasing of the products. Apply a soft pink blush to give dimension to your face.

Quick Tip

While the Koreans use a lot of whites and pinks, they are shades that suit their pale skin tones. If you have darker skin, use nude shades that will flatter your skin and give you a natural look.

Step 7: Lip Makeup

Korean style makeup has a very soft ombre-like effect on the lips. To create ombre lips start by filling in your lip area with a soft nude brownish pink lip gloss. Here, I used the Maybelline Color sensational Lip Gloss in Hooked on Pink.

Quick Tip

For the ombre effect to be more evident, use a concealer on your lips before you apply the tint.

Then, apply a hot pink shade to the center of the lips. Here, I used the Mua Lipstick in shade 3.

Now, gently blend both the lipstick and the lip gloss with your fingers or a lip brush to achieve a seamless even finish.

And you are done!

Korean makeup is all about subtlety. It’s more focused on enhancing the natural features and promoting a more youthful look. So, those who prefer a minimalistic approach can explore how to do light makeup, which perfectly complements the understated, dewy finish of Korean makeup.

Infographic: 5 Easy Steps To Perfect Korean-Style Eye Makeup

Are you in love with Korean eye makeup and want to nail it the next time you step out? You can try this super dewy eye makeup that makes for the perfect summer look. It looks attractive but is effortlessly minimal. Check out the infographic below to achieve it in 5 easy steps!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Korean-style makeup?

Korean-style makeup is subtle and natural. It mainly focuses on brighter tones and a youthful , glowing, dewy look.

Why is Korean skin so flawless?

Koreans take their health, diet, and skincare very seriously. They have a proper routine, regardless of their age or lifestyle. This also is reflected in how healthy and supple their skin is. One beauty secret of Koreans is how they believe in doubling the steps in their routine – double cleansing, double toning, double hydration, etc.

What is Korean vs Japanese style makeup?

Korean makeup focuses on nourishing the skin and using very fine makeup for a natural dewy look. Japanese makeup focuses more on coverage and less on enhancing color, with a matte baby-skin finish.

What makes Korean makeup different?

Korean makeup uses highly advanced and groundbreaking ingredients in its makeup and skincare routine such as snail mucin. It focuses on creating a healthy luminous and innocent glow on the face that makes your skin flawless and glassy.

Why do Koreans prefer cushion foundations?

Cushion foundations are easy to use and impart a glossy finish making them most popular among Korean makeup lovers.

Why do Koreans wear red eyeshadow?

A hint of matte red eyeshadow gives the eyes a youthful appearance and makes the wearer look cute and innocent. Coincidentally, its bright shade goes perfectly with their skin tone.

What is the difference between Korean and Western eye makeup?

Western makeup aims at covering, highlighting, contouring, and modifying facial features. Korean makeup aims at enhancing your natural beauty by making the skin look healthy by using minimalistic and natural makeup techniques.

How do I achieve a natural and dewy complexion for Korean style makeup?

Double-cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Apply pore-controlling toner and a moisturizing serum to smooth out the skin. Always keep your skin hydrated with sheet masks, and do not forget sunscreen. Wear minimalistic dewy makeup and use a light rosy lip tint. Finally, wear thin eyeliner to make your eyes look childlike and bigger.

How do I create subtle eye makeup for Korean style makeup?

Korean eye makeup is about striking a balance between bold and cute puppy eyes. Shade your eyes with two or three different nude shades to give depth and volume to your eyelids. Apply your eyeliner and mascara with careful strokes to avoid making it bulky. Don’t forget to create outward and slightly downward pencil strokes to get the doe-eyed look. Add a subtle dash of glitter just under the bottom eyelids and you are done!

How do I create gradient lips for Korean style makeup?

Moisturize your lips and apply a skin-toned concealer. Coat your lips with a very light shade of any lipstick. Now, gradually darken the lip tint at the inner parts of the lips. Draw more attention to the lower lip by coloring it slightly more intensely where the two lips meet. Blend it perfectly and top up with a lip gloss.

Learn how to create a simple, affordable Korean-inspired daily makeup look in just 15 minutes with this video! Get ready to look beautiful and feel confident!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Angela JacksonLicensed Cosmetologist

 

Angela Jackson is a Maryland board-certified cosmetologist with over 28 years of experience. She received her cosmetology education from Dudley Beauty College in Washington, DC. She has trained under various hair and makeup artists and served bridal and in-salon clients and worked on various photoshoots and branding events.

Read full bio of Angela Jackson

Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao

Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.

Read full bio of Asmita De

Vaishali SinhaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Vaishali Sinha is a beauty and lifestyle writer with five years of experience in writing for various genres. She has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University. She combines her passion for beauty and lifestyle topics with her artistic background as an Indian classical vocalist to bring a fresh and creative perspective to her writing.

Read full bio of Vaishali Sinha