While Korean skincare has taken the world by storm, the best Korean make-up products deserve just as much of a spotlight. These cosmetics boast similarly innovative formulas as their skincare counterparts, acting as complexion multitaskers. Think lightweight, SPF-fuelled foundations packaged for on-the-go application; velvety blushes infused with antioxidant fruit extracts; and balms brimming with peptides and hydration. “In Korea, it’s a given that make-up needs to make your skin look amazing,” expert and former editor-in-chief Michelle Lee tells . “Make-up products tend to be quite affordable and have skincare benefits too,” Lee adds.
’s pick of the best Korean make-up products at a glance:
Another defining factor of Korean beauty products? Customisation. “There tends to be more emphasis on seasonal colour in Korea, so people typically know if they have a cool or warm undertone and know the details about the colours that suit their skin tone best,” says Lee. It’s a culture where hyperawareness of tone, texture, and finish informs every product choice – making the payoff feel perfectly tailored.
Read more: The Best Korean Skincare Products, According To The Experts
My personal pull to the category has been its special attention to aesthetic details, like whimsical packaging and sensorial textures – from airy, pudding-like pots to silky, melting balms. After all, isn’t life in 2026 deadly serious and woeful enough? Take, for example, Rom&nd’s Juicy Roll Cheek Blush: When I got one in my hands, I was totally delighted by how adorably tiny it was, and by the cooling texture as the roller ball glided across my cheek. Was the fragrance perhaps a bit fragrant? Yes. But was my inner childlike joy sparked? Totally – it’s the type of nostalgic whimsy that brings me back to sneaking into my mom’s make-up bag, or collecting my own Hard Candy bedazzled lip glosses, long before I ever had a full-time job.
Then, of course, there are Korean lip products – one rounded-tip lip liner helps me and any everyday make-up lover take a stab at the blurred-lip look popularised by celebrity make-up artist Nina Park (if only we could take a seat in her make-up chair). Another element I love? It’s pretty hard to overdo it with K-make-up. Colour payoff leans more sheer and buildable – so by all means, go crazy with blush. In short, Korean make-up is fun, functional, and endlessly thoughtful. Scroll on to discover 12 standout K-beauty products that are popular with the Seoul cool girls. Plus, get expert insight on K-beauty trends.
- Why it’s -approved: “Rom&nd is the number one lip colour brand in South Korea. It’s wildly popular, and their products are amazing,” says Lee, noting how moisturising the brand’s balmy lip tint is; it wears beautifully on its own or layers over liner for the perfect lip combo. The formula delivers a translucent, high-gloss finish reminiscent of an oil with a non-greasy or sticky feel. That’s thanks to a perfected oil-to-wax ratio from a blend of plant-based oils, including argan oil, shea butter, and camellia seed oil.
- Key ingredients: Microcrystalline wax, jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, evening primrose oil, shea butter, mango fruit extract, olive oil
- Best for: Keeping lips hydrated with a flush of colour
- Glassy, jelly-lip finish
- Vegan, and packed with botanic oils
- Slightly tacky texture
- Why it’s -approved: Are you looking for a mascara that holds a curl exceptionally well? It’s time to explore some high-performing K-beauty formulas. “I have the stereotypical straight, short Asian lashes, so I prefer Korean and Japanese mascara formulas, which excel at holding a curl,” says Lee. She says the Clio mascara is her favourite for its buildable, volumising formula. Additionally, it’s a waterproof mascara that doesn’t leave behind any flakes or clumps. To ensure even longer-lasting results on stubborn straight lashes, Lee recommends a couple of squeezes of a Korean lash curler.
- “I have stubborn lashes that grow straight down, and rarely hold a curl. Clio’s mascaras are the ultimate in long-wear lift—no, seriously. I have cried my eyes out while wearing this mascara (don’t ask why) and my lashes remained perfectly upright. Plus, the formula’s totally clump-free and never spidery.” –
- Key ingredients: Bean extract, panthenol, silica, olive fruit oil, soy extract ferment filtrate, camellia seed oil, carnauba wax, hydrolysed collagen, glycerin
- : 7 (There are seven Kill Lash variations to choose from)
- Best for: A lifting and lengthening mascara with skin-loving ingredients that provides maximum life and curl.
- Lifting, lengthening, and curling
- Long-wearing and flake-free
- So long-wearing that it requires Clio mascara remover
Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation
- Why it’s -approved: “Many people in Korea use cushion foundations which come in a variety of finishes and often have skin-care ingredients. After a meal, it’s quite common to see people pull out their cushion compact to reapply, so foundation formulas tend to be light and not cakey or heavy,” says Lee. Not to mention that the formula boasts up to 72 hours of wear, SPF 40 for sun protection, and full-coverage results with a lightweight feel. The formula is enriched with anti-inflammatory ingredients like red propolis extract to nourish and soothe sensitive skin (and cover the most angry blemish) – and just one pump of product should do the trick.
- “To this day, I remain impressed by TirTir’s cushion foundation. One of the first products to push cushion formats to the forefront, this achieves a semi-matte finish despite how hydrating it feels upon application. And as you may have seen on social media, this can veil dark spots in a single press.” —
- Key ingredients: Water, iron oxides, dimethicone, titanium dioxide, propanediol, glycerin, hibiscus flower extract, red propolis extract
- Best for: Lightweight complexion coverage
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Blurry Pudding Pot in Ambitious
- Why it’s -approved: Imagine the texture of a perfectly whipped chocolate mousse, with the bounce of a pudding fresh out of the fridge. That’s exactly what you can expect from this cream blush. “Korean brands really excel at fun yet useful textures. You especially see this in the blush market right now, particularly with Fwee’s bouncy textured pudding pots,” says Lee, noting that the multipurpose colour product provides a smooth, velvety matte flush wherever applied – from cheeks to lips.
- “This applies onto the skin and instantly blurs and smooths. Unlike anything I’ve used before! The pot itself is quite small, though, so I’d recommend scooping out a little bit of the creamy mousse with a little spatula (or your finger!), placing on the cheeks, and blending.” —K.M.
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer, cocoa seed butter, agave leaf extract
- Best for: A two-in-one lip and blush flush
- Versatile colour
- For those with acne-prone skin—this contains two potential pore-clogging ingredients.
- Why it’s -approved: If you’re in the mood to take your makeup look from day to night, a bit of shimmer adds some eye-catching intrigue. Lee notes how, even when it comes to a sparkling eye shadow, sustainability remains top of mind. “Unleashia is a Korean makeup brand known for its glitters, which are vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable,” she explains. And if you’re hesitant to go for a full sparkly lid – just one swipe of this eye shadow on the inner corner of your lid works wonders for brightening eyes.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin crosspolymer, mica, tocopheryl acetate
- Best for: An eye-catching eyeshadow look, with nine shades per palette to pick from
- Jelly-like texture that blends with ease
- Travel-friendly, slim packaging
- More of a pearlescent shimmer versus chunky glitter
- For those who prefer bold looks, this is not the most opaque colour payoff.
Ink the Velvet Lip Tint
- Why it’s -approved: Peripera’s matte lip tint is a beauty staple in Seoul for its non-cakey formula and velvety finish (think a matte liquid lipstick that delivers a comfortable, lightweight wear that doesn’t compromise on bold colour payoff). Its mousselike texture glides on effortlessly, providing a soft, blurred effect thanks to a double-layer elastomer that fills in the fine curves of the lips. The result? A smooth, emollient, and silky finish.
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, marine collagen
- Best for: A velvety matte lip look that won’t flake or cake
- Why it‘s -approved: While straight-shaped brows are just picking up in popularity stateside, they’ve long been the trend in Korea. To achieve the look, a super slender pencil helps to fill in any sparse areas without creating a severe look. “I bought the Peripera Speedy Skinny Brow mascara while in Korea. And for someone with very dark brows like mine, it actually makes a pretty big difference in my overall look,” Lee previously told . Plus, there’s a built-in spoolie brush on the back.
- : “Bulky powder or gel-pot brows from 2016 are gone. I’m a huge proponent of a super-skinny pencil or pen. I use it only to fill sparse areas with mini strokes. Peripera’s brush is almost microscopic, which I love. A few flicks under my arch and I’m done. I also appreciate their cool-toned dark brown shades. I use shade 01 Gray Brown.” – C.C.
- Key ingredients: Microcrystalline wax, hydrogenated cocoglycerides, synthetic beeswax
- Best for: Strategically filling in sparse areas on your brows.
- Why it’s -approved: Lip butter balms continue to be all the rage in beauty right now – and K-beauty brands do them just as well. “I keep asking myself, how many more tinted balms can I have? Well, clearly, I can always have more,” Lee previously told noting that the shade range of Unleashia’s balm is small but mighty. “The formula is divine – rich and creamy without feeling heavy – and it’s super moisturising.” Plus, the silicone doughnut-shaped applicator makes application smooth and hugs the curve of your lips.
- “The pigment in these lip balms is incredible. True to its name, this goes on like butter – delivering high-shine colour in a couple of swipes. Plus, it’s non-sticky! Writing this is a reminder that I should find my tube…” – K.M.
- Key ingredients: Peptides, meadowfoam seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil
- Hydrating gloss with a subtle shimmer
- Best for: A K-beauty twist on a tinted lip balm.
- Subtle scent with juicy, nonsticky pigment
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Some find donut applicators to be messy—especially those with thinner lips.
- Why it’s -approved: No, it’s not quite a blush stick, and it’s not a blush pot either – instead, the cooling gel formula rolls on with a semi-sheer finish. “It’s a rollerball blush that gives the skin a sheer, juicy glow,” Sarah Chung Park, CEO of Landing International and K-beauty World, previously told Vogue. “It’s perfect for creating that fruit-flush cheek look that feels modern and wearable.” Aside from the fun application format, Rom&nd also pays special attention to which shades suit your season’s colour palette best; on its website, each shade is paired with a complementary season.
- “Come to think of it, I’ve never used a blush with quite this texture. It has an almost balm feel, depositing pigment without disrupting foundation or concealer underneath. The colour payoff is dewy but natural, imparting a skin-like flush. ‘Your skin, but better’ is an understatement.” – K.M.
- Key ingredients: Synthetic wax, dimethicone, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol
- Best for: A natural-looking flush, with easy application
- Semi-sheer, natural colour payoff
- Easy, on-the-go application
- Can lift makeup if applied after setting powder
- Why it’s -approved: While aegyo sal has been a prevalent make-up trend in Asia for some time, the trend has made its way stateside thanks to TikTok and stars like Olympic gold medalist Alyssa Liu.
“Aegyo sal accentuates that puffy area of ‘cute fat’ [what the trend name translates to] below the eyes when you smile,” Lee previously explained. “It’s a trendy technique that creates the illusion of brighter, wider eyes, especially on people with East Asian eye shapes.” To do so, you need two pencils – a lighter shade and a contour shade. Colorgram’s dual-ended pencils uncomplicate the process. - Key ingredients: Candelilla wax, carnauba wax, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and niacinamide
- Best for: Emphasising your under-eye area in a doll-like way.
- Beginner friendly
- Smooth, tug-free formula
- Pencil tip can break easily
What defines Korean make-up trends?
What sets K-beauty make-up trends apart? Finish and placement, first and foremost. “No matter the product, the finish is always soft and blurred – never a harsh contour or an overdrawn brow in sight,” says Lee. Then come the hyper-specific trends, like – the artful emphasis of under-eye bags using concealer, highlighter, or a whisper of diffused liner. And don’t overlook blush: “It’s typically placed higher on the cheeks and often worn boldly,” Lee adds.
What sets K-beauty make-up formulas apart?
Much like Korean skincare brands, K-beauty cosmetics are formulated with intentionality. “There’s a thoughtfulness among many brands when it comes to ingredients,” notes Lee. Whether it be biodegradable glitters, peptides, or vitamin C-infused lip balms, Korea has long been ahead of the curve in producing skincare-make-up hybrids. “People are so accustomed to Korean skincare products and cosmetics being packed with complexion-loving ingredients – it’s pretty much a given.”
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on ’s vast network of experts – board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and K-beauty founders – to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to Korean make-up, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, shade range, and the lip looks they create. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology.
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