Korean Makeup Trends 2024: What's Hot and How to Achieve the Look

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: What's Hot and How to Achieve the Look

I. Introduction

The global beauty landscape continues to be profoundly shaped by the innovative and often ethereal aesthetics emanating from South Korea. Korean makeup trends for 2024 represent a sophisticated evolution of the beloved "K-beauty" philosophy, moving beyond mere product application to embody a holistic approach to skincare and color cosmetics. The overarching theme remains one of healthy, luminous skin and youthful, expressive features, but with refined techniques that prioritize subtlety and personal enhancement over dramatic transformation. This year, we see a masterful blend of classic elements with fresh twists, creating looks that are both timeless and distinctly modern. The influence is pervasive, dictating not just what products are popular, but how they are used to achieve a specific, often emotion-evoking, visual language.

This visual language is broadcast worldwide through the powerful mediums of K-Pop and K-Dramas. Idols and actors serve as the ultimate trendsetters, their makeup looks dissected and emulated by millions. A K-Pop star's music video debut can instantly catapult a specific eyeliner technique or lip color to viral status. Similarly, the "no-makeup makeup" looks seen on beloved drama characters, which somehow make them look perfectly fresh-faced even in the most emotional scenes, drive consumer demand for products that promise a natural, skin-like finish. The synergy between entertainment and beauty is a key engine of Korea's cultural export, making trends highly accessible and aspirational. For instance, a recent survey by a Hong Kong-based beauty retailer indicated that over 65% of their Gen Z and Millennial customers sought makeup products specifically inspired by or endorsed by Korean celebrities, highlighting the direct commercial impact of this cultural influence.

II. Key Trends in Korean Makeup

The 2024 Korean makeup aesthetic is built upon several foundational pillars, each working in harmony to create a cohesive and intentional look.

A. Dewy Skin and Natural Glow

The quest for "chok-chok" (moist, plump) skin remains paramount. However, the 2024 interpretation of dewy skin is more about a strategic, lit-from-within glow rather than a blanket of high-shine. The goal is skin that looks incredibly hydrated, supple, and healthy, as if one has just completed an extensive skincare routine. This involves meticulous skincare prep, followed by lightweight, luminous base products that allow the skin's texture to show through. The glow is concentrated on the high points of the face—the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow, and brow bone—while the T-zone is kept relatively matte to prevent an oily appearance. This trend underscores the Korean beauty principle that makeup should enhance, not mask, one's natural complexion. Achieving this requires products with fine light-reflecting particles, not large chunks of glitter, and a technique that layers hydration.

B. Gradient Lips

The gradient lip, or "just-bitten" lip, is a classic that has been perfected for 2024. It creates a soft, blurred, and youthful pout by concentrating color at the inner part of the lips and diffusing it outward. The modern take involves using richer, yet still blendable, shades like mauves, dusty roses, and warm brick reds, moving beyond the classic bright coral or pink. The technique has also become more sophisticated; it's no longer just about applying a lip tint and blotting. Now, it often involves using a lip liner to subtly define the shape, applying a matte or satin lipstick in the center, and meticulously blending the edges with a finger or brush for a seamless ombré effect. This look pairs perfectly with the emphasis on dewy skin, adding a focal point of soft color without heaviness.

C. Straight Eyebrows

Arched, sharply defined brows are taking a backseat to the gentle, straight brow. This style follows the natural brow bone more horizontally, with a soft, slightly rounded arch (if any) and a feathered, hair-like texture at the front. The straight brow trend is favored for its ability to create a more innocent, youthful, and approachable expression. It helps to visually shorten the face and soften facial features. The key to nailing this trend is to avoid harsh lines and overly defined shapes. Instead, the focus is on filling in sparse areas with fine, hair-like strokes using a pencil or powder that matches one's natural brow color, and then using a clear or tinted brow gel to set the hairs in place, emphasizing their natural growth pattern. The result is brows that look full and groomed, yet effortlessly natural.

D. Puppy Eyes (Downward-Turned Eyeliner)

While the Western "cat eye" flicks upward for a sultry look, the Korean "puppy eye" liner extends slightly downward at the outer corners. This technique mimics the innocent, droopy eyes of a puppy, creating a doe-eyed, innocent, and sometimes melancholic expression that is highly popular in K-dramas. It makes the eyes appear larger, rounder, and more youthful. For 2024, the puppy eyeliner is executed with more precision—often using a soft brown pencil or gel liner instead of stark black—and is kept very thin and close to the lash line. It may be extended just 1-2 millimeters downward, or blended subtly into the lower lash line for a smudged, softer effect. This look is frequently paired with curled lashes and volumizing mascara on the center lashes to further open up the eyes.

E. Subtle Contour and Highlight

Heavy, Instagram-style contouring is antithetical to the Korean makeup ethos. Instead, 2024 sees a focus on subtle sculpting and strategic illumination. Contouring is used minimally, often with a cool-toned powder or cream just one or two shades darker than the skin tone, applied lightly under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and at the sides of the nose. The goal is not to create dramatic shadows but to add a faint definition that enhances the face's natural structure. Highlighting is its more prominent partner. A liquid or cream highlighter with a pearl or champagne sheen is applied to the high points of the face to accentuate the coveted dewy glow. The combination is so subtle that it's almost imperceptible, yet it makes a significant difference in adding dimension and light to the face.

III. How to Achieve the Most Popular Looks

Translating these trends into your daily routine requires understanding the step-by-step techniques. Here are detailed tutorials for three of the most iconic looks.

A. Dewy Skin Tutorial

1. Skincare is Non-Negotiable: Start with a thoroughly cleansed face. Apply a hydrating toner, a lightweight serum (like hyaluronic acid), and a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Allow each layer to absorb. A hydrating sheet mask, used 2-3 times a week, can be a game-changer for pre-makeup prep.
2. Prime for Luminosity: Apply a hydrating or illuminating primer all over the face, focusing on areas that tend to get dry. This creates a smooth, sticky canvas for foundation.
3. Sheer, Luminous Base: Opt for a cushion compact, a light-coverage foundation, or a tinted moisturizer. Apply it sparingly, starting from the center of the face and blending outward. Use a damp beauty sponge for the most skin-like finish. The goal is to even out the skin tone, not to provide full coverage.
4. Strategic Concealing: Use a creamy, radiant concealer only where needed—under the eyes, around the nose, and on any blemishes. Pat gently to blend, avoiding dragging the product.
5. Set Selectively: Lightly dust a translucent powder only on the T-zone and under the eyes to prevent creasing. Avoid powdering the cheekbones to preserve the glow.
6. Liquid Glow: Finally, take a liquid highlighter and dot it on the high points of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, on the cupid's bow, and on the inner corners of your eyes. Gently pat to blend. This final step is what creates the multidimensional, "wet-looking" glow characteristic of the trend.

B. Gradient Lips Tutorial

1. Prep and Prime: Exfoliate your lips gently and apply a light balm. Blot off any excess. For longer-lasting color, apply a tiny amount of foundation or concealer over your lips to neutralize their natural tone.
2. Define (Optional): Using a lip pencil that matches your natural lip color or is slightly darker than your chosen lip tint, lightly outline your lips, focusing on correcting asymmetry. Then, softly blur the line inward using your finger.
3. Apply the Main Color: Choose a vibrant lip tint or a matte lipstick. Apply the product heavily to the inner center of both your upper and lower lips—about the innermost 40% of your lip surface.
4. The Gradient Blend: This is the crucial step. Immediately after application, use your finger, a small brush, or a cotton swab to gently pat and blend the color outward from the center towards the edges of your lips. The motion should be a gentle dabbing, not swiping. The goal is to create a seamless fade where the center is most pigmented and the outer perimeter is sheer or even bare.
5. Clean Up and Perfect: Use a concealer brush with a little foundation to clean up and sharpen the outer edges of your lip line if needed. This enhances the crisp, intentional look of the gradient.
6. Optional Gloss: For an extra plump and juicy effect, add a clear or slightly tinted gloss only to the very center of the lips, right over the most pigmented area.

C. Puppy Eyes Tutorial

1. Prepare the Lid: Apply an eyeshadow primer or a light layer of concealer on your eyelids to ensure your liner stays put.
2. Choose Your Weapon: A soft brown pencil or a thin brush with brown gel liner is ideal for a natural look. Black can be used for a more defined, but still soft, effect.
3. Draw the Line: Starting from the inner corner, draw a thin line as close to your upper lash line as possible. As you reach the outer corner, instead of flicking up, continue the line straight out or even slightly downwards, following the natural downward curve of your lower lash line. Extend it just 1-3mm.
4. Connect and Soften: From the end of that downward flick, draw a line back inward to connect to your lower lash line, creating a very subtle, downward-pointing triangle. Then, use a small smudging brush or a cotton swab to gently soften and blur the line, especially the outer extension. It should look soft and diffused, not sharp.
5. Enhance the Puppy Effect: Using the same pencil or a lighter brown shadow, lightly smudge color along the outer half of your lower lash line, connecting it to the winged end. This enhances the droopy, rounded effect.
6. Finish with Lashes: Curl your lashes and apply a lengthening or volumizing mascara. Focus the mascara application on the center lashes to create a rounded, open-eye appearance. Avoid heavy mascara on the bottom lashes to keep the look clean.

IV. Product Recommendations for Achieving Korean Makeup Looks

Selecting the right products is essential for achieving authentic Korean makeup results. Here are recommendations across key categories, featuring both iconic K-beauty brands and specific products known for their performance.

A. Foundations and BB Creams

• Cushion Compacts: The quintessential Korean base product. Look for formulas labeled "dewy," "glow," or "moisture." They provide light to medium coverage with a refreshing, hydrating feel.
• BB/CC Creams: These multi-function products offer skincare benefits, SPF, and light coverage. They are perfect for achieving the natural, your-skin-but-better finish.
• Sheer Foundations: Lightweight, liquid foundations with a satin or luminous finish are excellent for building a customizable, natural-looking base.

B. Lip Tints and Lipsticks

• Water Gel Tints: These provide a sheer, stain-like color that is perfect for the gradient look as they are easy to blend and very long-wearing on the inner lip.
• Velvet Tint Mousses: Offer a soft, blurry matte finish that blends beautifully for a gradient effect without drying out the lips.
• Sheer Lipsticks: Creamy lipsticks with semi-transparent color payoff allow for buildable application, ideal for creating a soft, stained look.

For those seeking a luxurious serum-like texture in their lip care, exploring products from jmsolution can be beneficial, as they often incorporate hydrating complexes that prime the lips perfectly for any tint application.

C. Eyeliners and Mascaras

• Pencil Eyeliners (Brown/Gray): Soft, smudgeable pencils in brown or gray are essential for creating the soft puppy eye and natural-looking tightlining.
• Brush-Tip Liquid Liners (Brown): For a more precise yet still soft line, a brown liquid liner with a fine brush tip offers control.
• Natural Mascaras: Look for mascaras that define, lengthen, and hold a curl without clumping. Clear or brown mascara can be used for an ultra-natural look on lower lashes.

D. Eyeshadows and Brow Pencils

E. Highlighters and Blush

• Liquid/Cream Highlighters: These blend seamlessly into the skin, creating a believable, lit-from-within glow. Apply before powder for the most natural effect.
• Powder Highlighters: Choose finely-milled powders with a soft pearl or satin finish for a subtle sheen on top of powder.
• Cream Blushes: In shades of peach, coral, or muted pink, cream blushes give a natural, flushed-from-within color that complements dewy skin perfectly. They can be applied with fingers and blended effortlessly.

Integrating a hydrating mist into your routine, such as those offered by JMsolution with ingredients like rose water or marine collagen, can help meld cream products into the skin and refresh the dewy finish throughout the day.

V. Tips for Adapting Korean Makeup Trends to Your Style

While Korean makeup trends offer a beautiful blueprint, the most important thing is to adapt them to suit your unique features, skin tone, and personal style. The core philosophy is enhancement, not imitation. If you have a more defined facial structure, you can still use the subtle contouring technique but perhaps with a slightly deeper shade to complement your natural shadows. For those with oily skin, the dewy skin trend can be modified by using more mattifying primers and powders in the T-zone, while focusing liquid highlighter only on the cheekbones. The gradient lip can be done with deeper berry or plum shades for a more dramatic fall look. The puppy eyeliner can be adjusted by the degree of the downward flick—a very slight downturn can soften a sharp eye shape without dramatically changing it. The key is to take the principle of each trend—softness, luminosity, youthfulness—and interpret it through products and techniques that work for you. Don't be afraid to mix trends; a straight brow with a subtle puppy eye and a gradient lip creates a beautifully harmonious look. Remember, confidence is the best accessory you can wear with any makeup trend.

VI. Stay on Trend with Korean Makeup Innovations

The world of Korean makeup is dynamic and ever-evolving, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation that blends cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of skin health. Staying on trend means keeping an eye on the continuous stream of new product formats—like serum foundations, water cushion blushes, and magnetic eyeliner systems—as well as the nuanced technique shifts popularized by celebrity makeup artists. The underlying constant, however, is the commitment to creating a look that celebrates natural beauty, prioritizes skin health, and expresses a gentle, refined aesthetic. By mastering the core techniques of dewy skin, gradient lips, and soft eye makeup, and by selecting products that align with these goals—from hydrating primers to blendable lip tints—you can build a versatile toolkit that allows you to participate in these trends authentically. Brands that consistently deliver on these promises, such as JMsolution with its focus on skin-nourishing formulations, remain valuable allies in this beauty journey. Ultimately, embracing Korean makeup trends is about adopting a philosophy: that makeup should be a joyful, enhancing ritual that leaves you looking and feeling radiantly yourself.