Emphasizing eye bags, ‘skinimalism,’ and other K-beauty makeup trends
Trends stop being trends the moment they’ve stuck around long enough to become staples. In Korean beauty, certain elements have come to define the aesthetic. They’ve become instantly recognizable, as in the case of aegyo-sal.
Our Lifestyle editor Che Moral was browsing TikTok one night when she chanced upon a creator who was sharing her tea about Kim Soo-hyun. But what kept our editor tuned in wasn’t what the creator was saying, it was what she was doing. The TikToker was deliberately creating the illusion of eye bags using makeup.
The shock is understandable. In the Philippines, we like to hide our stress under makeup. Concealers are probably making a killing in sales, faking that fresh, well-rested glow. In South Korea, though, things are different.
Aegyo means “cute,” and sal means “skin.” Together, they refer to the baby eye fat often associated with youthfulness. The trend is often linked to IU and Suzy in the 2010s, and it remains popular today.
This look highlights the small, puffy area under the lower eyelid. It is subtly accentuated with matte or satin shades for a more natural effect.
Ombre lips also get different iterations each season, but the general look tends to be the same: naturally flushed lips with a just-bitten vibe. This year, it’s all about cherry lips, which focus on soft, diffused edges using liners and tints instead of sharp lip lines.
The goal is to enhance the natural fullness of the lips with gentle contours and muted colors. Gloss is also key, making it look like the lips have just sucked something juicy.
Like a doll
The obsession with looking like a doll extends to makeup, too. Soft blush under the eyes is key to the effect, but lashes play just as crucial a role. Clumping lashes together has become a deliberate technique. It creates a wide-eyed, fluttery look that brings to mind anime characters or porcelain dolls.
The doll-like effect is achieved by applying mascara meticulously to both upper and lower lashes, emphasizing a wide-eyed and innocent appearance.
In a country that offers a buffet of skincare products across all price ranges and for all kinds of skin concerns, having healthy skin never goes out of style. The no-makeup makeup look remains popular, mainly to highlight how beautiful the skin is.
“Skinimalism” is the new version of this philosophy, embracing the “less is more” approach by combining skincare and makeup products. It’s all about choosing lightweight, hydrating products and using breathable, sheer foundation or skin tints to create a dewy finish. Makeup is used to highlight what’s beneath it, not to hide what isn’t there.
