Popular Korean Makeup Trends for 2024

In 2024, the Korean makeup scene continues to lead with innovative and trend-setting styles that captivate beauty enthusiasts worldwide. From the streets of Seoul to the catwalk at fashion week to the global stage. As these trends evolve, they increasingly influence global beauty standards and preferences, making them essential for anyone interested in staying at the forefront of fashion and beauty. Let’s all take a collective moment to meditate on the traumas that the previous decade rought upon us and collectively throw the bold, overlined matt lips and insta brows back to the previous decade where they belong

Emerging Trends in Korean Makeup for 2024

• Overall Trend
  

The mid 2020s are seeing a big resurgence in soft, feminine, low-impact makeup that focuses on more muted colours and detailed application. Bold colours are being used sparingly, often to highlight one “point feature” such as the lips, the eyes, and so on. It seems like every single brand now has a neutral eyeshadow palette front and centre in their displays along with liquid or balm versions of products that for so long seemed to only come in powder form – such as blushes and highlighters. But it’s not only the colours that have shifted but the application techniques as well.

 

• • Skinimalism

2024 sees the continued rise of ‘Skinimalism,’ a trend that embraces a natural look emphasising skin health and minimal makeup. This approach uses lightweight, hydrating products that offer a hint of colour and enhance the skin’s natural glow. Things like contour and concealer are applied only where strictly necessary. However, as most of us weren’t blessed with perfect complexions, 2024 has also seen the surprise comeback of colour correctors as a more lightweight method of balancing out pigmentation without going back in with layers of concealer. As skin health becomes a priority, the demand for high-quality skincare products and cosmetic dermatological treatments are on the rise. Now, just like plastic surgery hospitals before them, cosmetic dermatology clinics that offer facials, lasers and injectables are hiring translators to be able to accommodate foreign customers.

 

• Eye Makeup
  

Subtle changes have occurred in the application of Korean-style eye makeup. Not only are the colours being used less vibrant and closer to the natural skin tone, but there are differences in how the pros shape their eyes. Previously many people would extend both the liner on the top lid and the shadow along the lower waterline in two parallel strokes with the idea to elongate the eye. However, now, according to the advice of one Korean makeup guru, the waterline shadow is always connecting to that top eyeliner.

Even when eye makeup is going dramatic, it’s still giving subtle sultriness. The staple smoky eye is still in fashion, as always, but the dark colours are staying closer to the eye. And the same beauty guru advised the use of glitter incredibly sparingly for everyday makeup. Just one spot in the middle of the aegyo sal and another on the inner corner.

For eyes, colours are also trending cooler. Coloured contacts have been popular in Asia for a long time, and many makeup lovers are choosing lenses between soft blue and grey, as reportedly if you have an Asian complexion this makes eyes stand out well in pictures in a way that isn’t overpowering.

 

• Glossy Textures
  

The glossy look remains a staple in 2024, with an emphasis on “wet-look” eyes, hydrated skin and shiny lips. This trend champions products like hydrating mist sprays, lip glosses, and non-glittery highlighters that provide a fresh, youthful appearance. Application techniques focus on layering products to achieve the perfect balance between shine and subtlety.

 

• The Return of The Gradient Lip
  

After falling somewhat out of fashion in the late 2010s, lips are being coloured with gradient effects once again, however this time there is a twist. The problem with the original gradient lip trend was that you would sacrifice some of the space on your lips to being a more subtle colour and only putting the more vivid colour in the inside of your lip line. This creates the illusion that your lips look smaller. Not so great in a post-lip filler world. Now we are pushing the gradient outwards. Overlining the lips with a diffused contour shade a little darker than your natural skin colour will allow you to apply colour to the entire lip area. This maintains the plumpness of your lips while softening sharp edges back into the face.

 

• Blush Can Just Go Wherever Now
  

Blush draping, where blush is applied not just to the cheeks but extended towards the temples, sculpting faces in new and flattering ways. This technique enhances facial contours and brings a vibrant, youthful flush that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s particularly effective in highlighting the cheekbones and creating a more defined facial structure. Draping is probably the most impactful new trend, but the sheer amount of other application techniques and shapes show how the makeup industry has just given up on the idea of pushing one correct method to apply your blush. On the cheekbones? Fine. Soft circles under the eyes? Absolutely. On both cheeks and over the nose? Go for it.

 

• Sustainable Beauty
  

A significant shift towards sustainability is influencing makeup choices in 2024. Consumers are increasingly opting for brands that offer eco-friendly products, from biodegradable packaging to non-toxic ingredients. This movement not only supports environmental sustainability but also the increasing push for vegan and cruelty-free formulas.

 

Influence of Makeup Trends on Cosmetic Procedures

The makeup trends of 2024 are closely intertwined with cosmetic procedures, with non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments becoming more popular to enhance natural beauty in line with current makeup trends. If you would like to read more about minimally invasive cosmetic surgeries, click here to read our recent article on the subject. For instance, treatments like lip fillers are (as ever) gaining popularity which complements the glossy lip trend, offering a more permanent solution to achieving the look. And as mentioned before the term “Korean skincare”, which in the past many associated with topical OTC products, has now grown to envelop professional, clinical skin treatments overseen by certified dermatologists.