3 Korean Beauty Secrets and Makeup Tips For Youthful Skin
So many of the beauty and makeup trends we see today are coming out of South Korea. Just think BB creams: they’ve taken the West by storm and left us wanting in on more Korean beauty secrets and makeup tips.
Naturally, Eastern and Western women share one major beauty and skincare goal: we all want to look younger and more radiant.
While many of us in the West make the mistake of thinking more makeup will hide our age and skin-related sins, South Koreans often embrace a less is more mantra that works like a charm.
Want to rejuvenate your look? Let’s explore 3 Korean beauty trends that you need to try now!
1. CC cream
By the time the West embraced BB Cream, Korea had already moved onto CC cream. What is CC cream? We like to think of it as BB Cream’s trendy younger sister. If you haven’t met her yet, you’re missing out!
The ‘CC’ in CC cream usually stands for colour correction or colour control. CC cream is a life-saver for the time poor, as it addresses multiple beauty concerns in a single application. Slept late and have to run out the door? Skip your primer and slap on some CC cream to correct and conceal redness and discolouration. Sunscreen? Many CC creams have got you covered and contain a generous amount of SPF.
What else is packed into this beauty super product? Oil control and brightening properties. Some CC creams even claim to address issues such as ageing over time.
CC cream isn’t just a great time-saver. It’s also an easy way to achieve a natural, youthful complexion. While heavy foundation may conceal the first signs of ageing, too much can lead to a cakey look and actually draw attention to fine lines. Meanwhile, CC creams’ weightless quality and bright finish blurs imperfections for a no-makeup finish.
Ready to try CC creams? We love Max Factor’s CC Colour Correcting Cream.
2. Aegyo Sal
Aegyo Sal, roughly translated, means “eye pouches” or “charming fat” (yes!). The expression refers to the pouch of fat beneath the eye. Aegyo sal is not to be confused with the eye bags you get after a couple of late nights and way too much sodium. Instead, think of the puffiness under the eyes that is common in children. That’s what the Korean trend seeks to emulate.
Some people are born with aegyo sal. For the rest of us, if you’re game to try, the look can be created with these easy makeup tips. Simply run a white or cream eye shadow just beneath your waterline to highlight your under-eye area. Then, using a matte brown shade, create a half-moon shape beneath your highlight colour to give the illusion of a shadow. Finally, blend away any harsh lines.
Confused? YouTube makeup guru Michelle Phan has a super easy aegyo sal tutorial.
3. Gradient lips
Ever take makeup tips from Olivia Wilde or hair inspiration from Lady Gaga? In South Korea, pop idol groups and K-drama stars inspire beauty trends. Right now, gradient lips are popping up everywhere.
As with CC cream and aegyo sal, gradient lips aim to make the wearer appear more youthful. Gradient lips do this by creating a flush of colour on the lips that radiates outwards and gives you a ‘I’ve just been eating a popsicle’ look. By focusing colour on the centre of the lips, they appear smaller. Big lips are sensuous. In turn, small lips are associated with youth and innocence. Playing down the lips also makes your eyes appear larger and more doe-like.
Beauty blogger Sparkle Apple has a cute and easy-to-follow tutorial on gradient lips for you to try out.
Would you try any of these Korean beauty secrets?
Bethany Tyndall writes about beauty on her blog Beauty Junkie.
