10 Korean Makeup Trends You Need to Try

By now, you’ve probably heard of the famous 10-step Korean skin care routine (and its many subsequent variations), but you may not realize that there are plenty of other Korean beauty trends that deserve praise of their own—makeup included! From faux freckles to brightly-colored blush to glitter eye makeup, we’re sharing 10 Korean makeup trends that we’re recommending you try ASAP. Trendier makeup, here you come!

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #1: PUPPY EYELINER

This Korean makeup trend is all about making the eyes appear more wide, open, and “doe-eyed.” Puppy eyeliner is super cute, easy to apply, and fun to pull off. Basically, what’s not to like? The technique involves using a black or brown eyeliner pencil to tightline only your upper lash line, then applying liquid liner that slopes slightly downward at the ends on top. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to rock your own puppy liner look, read our article, What Is Puppy Liner?

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #2: HONEY SKIN

Korean beauty is all about skin that appears radiant, plump, and healthy. You’ve seen this reflected in a number of skin care trends, from cloudless skin to glass skin, but your skin care routine isn’t the only way to get the look. Honey skin may sound similar to the aforementioned trends, but the major difference is that it’s actually a makeup trend. Instead of relying solely on skin care products to get the perfect complexion, this trend involves layering a combination of skin and makeup products, like facial serum, moisturizer, foundation, and highlighter, for the perfect dewy skin look. The end result is skin so supple you’ll just have to snap a selfie! Here’s how to try it out for yourself.

Step 1: Apply a hydrating serum

Post-cleansing, apply an even layer of the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum onto your entire complexion. Wait about 30 seconds to let it absorb, then move to the next step.

Step 2: Layer on a water-based moisturizer

Next, apply a lightweight, water-based moisturizer all over your face and neck. Try the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Dry Skin.

Step 3: Apply a glow-boosting foundation

Mix a few drops of the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops with a few drops of your favorite foundation, then bounce the mixture onto your skin using a makeup blender.

Step 4: Add a highlighting lotion

This look is all about glowing skin, so one layer of glow-boosting makeup just won’t do. Next, apply a light layer of the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer onto the high points of your face: Your cheekbones, forehead, cupid’s bow, brow bone, and the center of your chin.

Step 5: Set your look

To complete your honey skin makeup look, spritz with the L'Oréal Paris True Match Shake & Glow Dew Mist.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #3: BRIGHT BLUSH

We love Korean makeup trends year-round, but there’s no denying the bright blush trend is perfect for spring and summer. Think bold oranges and corals, applied onto the upper cheekbones and lightly along the bridge of the nose. To try this look out for yourself, reach for the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Fruit-Scented Blush Makeup in Just Curious. Apply it using your regular blush brush, but with a lighter hand, building up to your desired hue and intensity.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #4: FAUX FRECKLES

Don’t have cheeks covered with natural freckles? No problem—it’s easy (and trendy) to fake what you don’t have! All you need is a waterproof brown eyeliner, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Brown, which you can simply dot all along the bride of your nose and your cheeks. Hello, freckles! To help ensure that your new feature doesn’t smear and smudge, it also isn’t a bad idea to give your faux freckles a quick spritz with a setting spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #5: PEACH EYE SHADOW

Right now, nothing is bigger in Korean makeup than fruity shades, especially peachy eye makeup hues. In fact, peach eye makeup is a trend we’ve already seen surfacing stateside! Interested in wearing peach eye shadow? Grab the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette, and experiment with applying a few of the palette’s peachy hues.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #6: BOLD, GLOSSY LIPS

While some of us are still obsessing over matte lipsticks, K-beauty has moved on to a glossy finish. And unlike some of the other Korean makeup trends we’re loving, this one is especially quick and easy to try out for yourself. So, why not grab a bold, glossy lip color and take it for a spin? Get glossy with one of the shades of the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 8HR Le Gloss.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #7: GLITTER EYE MAKEUP

In our opinion, glitter is always a good idea! And clearly, we aren’t the only ones who think so since glitter eye makeup is a major K-beauty trend. Ready to embrace this glitzy look? Give it a try with one of our 7 Best Glitter Eye Makeup Ideas. Just make sure to read up on How to Remove Glitter Eye Makeup, too.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #8: GRADIENT LIPS

One of the most popular of Korean makeup trends is the famous gradient lip. This look involves a blurred lip color, with the center of the lips being more pigmented while the edges are nearly bare. This look is so trendy that there are lip products on the market designed specifically to get the look, but you can also DIY gradient lips with little to no fuss. Simply concentrate your lip color of choice on the center of your lips, then use a cotton swab to blend out the edges. The end result should be reminiscent of one of your favorite childhood beauty looks—lips stained by a popsicle, only this time your tongue isn’t colored, too!

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #9: GLASSY LIPS

As you know, glossy, glassy skin is a major Korean skin care trend, but this look has also influenced Korean makeup trends. That’s why glassy lips are getting big. This isn’t quite the same as the glossy lip we talked about earlier, although it’s similar. Think of glassy lips as glossy lips taken to the next level. This time, it isn’t quite as easy as smoothing on a gloss—but the extra steps are well worth it. Here’s what to do:  

Step 1: Use a lip scrub

No one wants to layer lip products over flakes, so make sure to slough off dry or dead cells with the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub before moving on.

Step 2: Moisturize

Apply a hydrating lip balm all over your lips. A parched pout just won’t complement this lip look!

Step 3: Apply lipstick with a shiny finish

After you’ve applied your moisturizing lip balm, apply a lipstick with a high-shine finish, like the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick. The color is up to you—this particular lipstick comes in 16 high-definition shades you can choose from.

Step 4: Apply a lip gloss on top

To really get that glassy effect, apply a thick layer of clear lip gloss on top of your shiny lip color.

KOREAN MAKEUP TREND #10: COLORED EYELINER

Black and brown eyeliner is gorgeous, but why not try adding some color into the mix? This Korean makeup trend is perfect for branching you (ever so slightly) out of your comfort zone, as it involves applying your eyeliner as usual, just in a bright color instead of your go-to neutrals. Try the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Cobalt Blue, Purple, or Gold. 

Interested in learning about other international beauty trends? Here are 8 Japanese Beauty Trends to Try.