When temperatures are high, days are long and masks are mandatory, the last thing we want is to apply copious amounts of makeup (and have it inevitably melt off our faces). Instead, we want simple minimal makeup looks that require few but hardworking products that will keep us looking effortlessly put-together and fresh.
But just because a makeup look is minimal doesn’t mean it’s a bore. Here are 10 Korean celebrity-inspired minimal makeup looks to prove our point.
Here, EXID’s Hani demonstrates the signature less-is-more French girl makeup with a bright lip paired with clean skin and sans eye makeup. This is a look we’ll gravitate towards for a brunch date with the girls…or for anything, really. The key to nailing this très chic blurred pout in a pinch is to dab on some matte lipstick with your fingers. Volià!
Nothing complements a winged liner more than a glossy pink-toned lip, as demonstrated by Blackpink’s Jennie. If your complexion is light and fair like the “solo” singer, stick to pink-toned glosses. Medium and olive skin tones can go for peachy or coral hues, while burgundy, berry and red toned lip glosses will look stunning on caramel and deep skin tones. Now, all you need is that perfect feline flick and you’re good to go. Luckily, we have tips for that.
Dewy luminous skin makes any look appear more effortless, so apply liberal amounts of highlighter (make the tip of your nose a priority). For that natural lit-from-within look, avoid products with too much glitter and use ones with a more realistic sheen. Complete your Jeon So-mi-inspired look with a couple of coats of mascara for that doe-eyed effect.
Low-maintenance glam has become somewhat of a signature look for Hotel De Luna star IU. You’ll be happy to know that IU’s natural soft glam look can easily be recreated. Apply some glitter eyeliner along your lower lash line and keep your lids really neutral and clean. Pro tip: prep your lash line with eyelid primer to help the liner stay put all day.
Faux freckles coupled with dewy skin can give the appearance of a youthful, sun-kissed complexion. It is also the ultimate no-makeup makeup hack that will create the illusion of flawless I-woke-up-like-this skin, as though you’re not wearing any base makeup at all. With a fine-point tip brown eyeliner, create small little dots across the cheeks and tip of your nose. To finish, soften the spots with a damp makeup sponge. Finally, dab just a hint of liquid or cream highlighter over the top to add a nice fresh sheen.
Some makeup looks like this glamourous, sultry one seen on K-pop idol Sunmi proves that minimal makeup and monochromatic looks are synonymous. Sweep a mauve shadow across your entire eyelid for a dramatic autumnal eye makeup look. Add a matte dusty rose lip to finish the look.
Usually, we’ll be doling out beauty tips on how you can hide a night of debauchery, but with this makeup look seen on Red Velvet’s Yeri, it’s all about embracing that flushed skin you’d get from having one too many. To mimic Yeri’s “hangover” flush, apply lots of coral-toned blush to the high points of cheeks. Then, draw a thin, precise brown line along your upper lash line.
Produce 101 alumnus Jung Chae-yeon’s bronze eyes and porcelain base all come down to proper skin prep. First, start off hydrating sheet mask and follow up with a glow-giving moisturiser. Next, apply foundation on areas of your face where you want more coverage. For that second-skin finish, apply foundation onto skin with a damp sponge. To complete the look, sculpt your crease with bronzer and a fluffy eyeshadow brush to quickly add dimension to an almost-bare visage.
We just can’t have a minimal makeup roundup without a nude lip. Korean idol Kang Gyeong-won’s matte rosy brown matte lip speaks for itself and is beautifully paired with her well-groomed set of arches. The MLBB look is absolutely fuss-free, just slick that nude lippy on and call it a day. Want it to last all day? Use a lip pencil in a similar shade to line your lips to keep the colour from feathering. Alternatively, fill your entire lips with the lop pencil before applying your lipstick to prevent the colour from fading midday.
Baby-faced beauty Son Naeun proves that anyone can go without lip colour, foundation, blush, eyeshadow, or pretty much everything else so long as you have a set of bold brows. This look can be achieved by simply running an eyebrow mascara through your arches to add texture and volume so you can do without filling them in with a pencil.