Makeup Secrets from 3 Leading K-Pop Makeup Artists – THE Sugarblossomdiary

Ever wondered what it takes to become a renowned Korean makeup artist? K-pop idols and girl groups collaborate with countless hair, wardrobe, and makeup stylists to achieve their ideal appearances. Makeup artists (MUAs) play a crucial role in crafting looks that align with the concepts of K-pop groups, and their artistry often goes viral, captivating both K-pop and beauty enthusiasts.

Recently, the Korean beauty and entertainment industries have shifted towards clean beauty and skincare-oriented aesthetics, highlighting flawless skin, hydrated lips, and minimalistic makeup. However, don’t be misled—significant skill and effort contribute to making K-pop stars look incredibly polished. The secret lies in seeming effortlessly perfect, a challenge that’s far from simple. Read on to discover tips from successful K-pop makeup artists on achieving such stunning looks!

MAENG

MAENG is best known as the go-to makeup artist for BlackPink. Her impressive clientele includes members of LE SSERAFIM and Red Velvet.

_{BlackPink’s Lisa, makeup by MAENG}

MAENG has released several viral makeup tutorial videos on her YouTube channel I AM MAENG. One of her standout videos, “The Ultimate Guide On Making Idol Lashes!!!,” provides a detailed walkthrough on achieving the signature K-pop idol lash effect. This tutorial on the defined, spidery lashes trend has amassed over three million views.

To prepare the lashes for this look, MAENG starts with a full eyelash curler, then switches to a partial eyelash curler to meticulously curl each section. She cleverly tilts the partial curler outward for an enhanced outward curl effect.

Since the model’s eyes are slightly asymmetrical, MAENG employs too cool for school’s Artclass Fixing Gel Liner in #02 Dark Brown to ensure symmetry. She recommends using a pencil liner that can be smudged for a natural blend when defining the eyes. The eyeshadow shades used are closely aligned with the model’s natural skin tone, and MAENG builds depth with a soft touch.

To further address the eyes’ asymmetry, MAENG recommends customizing the individual false lashes to fit each eye’s dimensions. She avoids overloading the lashes on the side with a thicker double lid and opts for more curled false lashes on the side with a thinner lid.

MAENG uses the tip of ETUDE Curl Fix Mascara’s wand to brush through each lash, ensuring they are separated and highlighting their curl and color. Next, she employs tweezers, lightly coated with mascara, to attach the natural lashes to the false lashes for a spidery effect. A gentle pull with the tweezers along each lash achieves sharply defined idol lashes.

For more K-pop makeup tutorials, explore the I AM MAENG YouTube channel!

Lee Na-kyeum

Lee Na-kyeum served as the makeup director for NewJeans, earning acclaim in the Korean makeup artist community for her unique “3D face” technique tailored to the group’s members. This method enhances natural features while adhering to the principle of minimalism, resulting in a radiant and youthful look that beautifully complements NewJeans’s concept.

_{NewJeans’s Hanni, makeup by Lee Na-kyeum}

In a enlightening video, Lee Na-kyeum provides K-Beauty YouTuber Cho Hyo-jin with a makeup transformation inspired by NewJeans, revealing how to achieve the girl group’s impeccable foundation.

The video begins with a focus on prepping for the 3D face look. Lee Na-kyeum incorporates a hydrating base by mixing hyaluronic acid with cream and massages it onto the face to minimize puffiness. A blend of primer and moisturizing sunscreen follows, applied directly by hand.

For the foundation, Lee Na-kyeum selects a shade that’s slightly darker than Cho Hyo-jin’s natural tone. She applies it starting from the outer areas such as the ends of the eyebrows and cheeks, and the corners of the lips. Any excess can then be used to shadow the sides of the nose and eyes. This technique allows for natural contouring, eliminating the need for heavy contouring later.

Next, she applies a lighter foundation shade at the center of the face (cheeks, forehead, and chin), which, combined with the previous darker shade, creates a subtle 3D effect highlighting the face’s natural features. Lee Na-kyeum emphasizes the importance of using base makeup that allows your freckles and natural beauty to shine through.

For those with a low nose bridge, she recommends gently applying ETUDE’s Contour Powder where the nose bridge meets the brow bone. The eyes should feature shades that closely resemble the skin tone, such as in I’M MEME’s I’m Hidden Card Palette.

Lee Na-kyeum also shares lip product suggestions that perfectly complement this look. For matte lips, consider peripera’s Ink Mood Matte Tint or AMUSE’s Chou Velvet in #06 Seoul Rose. For a glossy finish, opt for AMUSE’s Dew Balm in #06 Dew Rose.

Seo Ok

Seo Ok is a distinguished makeup artist known for her work with K-pop groups like Girls’ Generation, IVE, BABYMONSTER, and more.

_{IVE’s Wonyoung, makeup by Seo Ok}

In the Allure Korea video titled “How Was Wonyoung’s Signature Moist Wet Lip and Peeled Egg Skin Created,” Seo Ok shares the makeup techniques behind IVE member Wonyoung’s aesthetic. She reveals her approaches for achieving a glass skin finish and softly enhanced features.

Taking advantage of Wonyoung’s smooth skin, Seo Ok opts for a lightweight base makeup that highlights the skin’s natural texture. She recommends applying AMUSE foundation in two light layers: a base layer followed by a second layer dabbed onto areas needing additional coverage. A moist cushion compact is suggested for quick touch-ups, providing a refreshed look without disturbing the original base makeup.

According to Seo Ok, Wonyoung’s image is significantly influenced by her lip appearance, which leans towards glossy and hydrated lips since her time with IZ*ONE. The AMUSE Jel-Fit Tint is ideal for achieving Wonyoung’s look thanks to its rich, dewy finish, which can be layered to create a desired gradient effect.

“Everything should have a gradient, guys,” Seo Ok mentions in the tutorial video. She emphasizes the importance of layering shades that are only a tone away from the natural skin tone, whether in foundation, eye makeup, or lips. For a natural look with aegyo sal, she uses light gradients in every color while avoiding overly pronounced effects. To contour the nose, she recommends gently dusting blush similar to the skin tone at the tip of the nose for soft definition.

Visit Seo Ok’s YouTube channel, OK Beauty, for more makeup tips and tutorials!

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