Korean women’s devotion to skincare and flawless makeup looks have been the envy of beauty junkies the world over.
K-beauty has always been a game changer in the realm of beauty, with clever, quirky, and subtle techniques that greatly influence cosmetic and skincare trends.
Charlotte Cho author of The Little Book of Skincare: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin dished some of the most coveted Korean beauty skincare and makeup secrets to Marie Claire.
screengrab: YouTube
1. Double Cleansing
Proper cleansing is an important part of a Korean skincare regimen. At the end of the day, make sure to remove your makeup and then cleanse with a gentle, oil-based cleanser. “Oil eliminates impurities without drying out the skin,” explains Cho, who is also the curator and co-founder of SokoGlam.
Next, apply a mild cream or foaming cleanser. “Don’t rub,” she tells Marie Claire. “Soft circular motions do the trick.”
2. Facial Massages
Giving yourself a daily facial massage helps boost circulation and makes your skin healthy and glowing. Find out how to perform this type of massage here.
photo: flickr
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3. Essences
This skincare product was actually formulated in Korea. Essences are ultra-concentrated liquids or lotions which brighten, firm, and revitalise the skin.
“Once I spritz it on, I gently tap it into the skin to assist with absorption,” reveals Cho.
photo: Etude house
4. Blurring
Korean beauty regimens rely heavily on good coverage–blurring out imperfections for close-up worthy skin.
“It’s kind of like making your face look a little cloudy,” explains Cho. “You’re using formulas that disguise fine lines, uneven skin tone, patchy skin, and dark spots, but not so much coverage that you look heavily made up. It’s not going to completely cover up that pimple, but it will hide it a bit, making you look bright and natural looking, but not flawless.”
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5. K-pop Cat Eyes
This is one of the most popular looks Korean women absolutely love. Largely inspired by K-pop mania, this makeup trick is non-traditional but super subtle.
Watch the video tutorial below to find out how to recreate the ever-popular K-pop cat eye look.
6. Gradient Lips
Korean women’s dewy, no make-up look is one of the most recurring K-beauty trends. However, not all people know that gradient lips are the intended focal point of this particular type of makeup look.
“Rather than a sweeping and dramatic cat eye, these days women usually go for thin eyeliner that follows the natural shape of the eye,” says Cho.
photo: SokoGlam
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7. Sheet Masking
One of the key things to remember about Korean-inspired skincare routines is the premium it puts on hydration. Proper hydration plumps the skin and reduces lines. This quick beauty fix is perfect for busy mums.
“Sheet masks are the most effective because as the sheet rests on your face, it forces the antioxidants and vitamins to mingle with your skin,” reveals Cho. “A sheet mask helps lock the nutrients in, and your skin will be brighter, softer and hydrated.”
photo: Pinterest
8. The Skin Diet
You are what you eat—Korean women firmly believe this. Their diet also has an impact on skincare.
Kimchi is practically their national dish and it has a host of benefits.
“It’s fermented, which means it has a host of health benefits because it’s packed with antioxidants and is a probiotic,” explains Cho.
As for drinks, nutty-flavoured Barley tea—which is packed with antioxidants–is one of their best kept culinary secrets; it enhances their beauty from the inside out.
A photo posted by Gwangho Choi, 최광호 (@sid_choi) on
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