Single’s Inferno 5 revives 2014 straight brow trend

South Korea’s reality dating hit Single’s Inferno is back, and as always, the contestants are giving us a crash course in what’s trending among Korea’s it-girls. One standout trend? 2014 Ulzzang-style straight brows—the “best-face” or “good-looking” brows of the era—are officially making a comeback.

This time, however, there’s a modern twist. Instead of the blocky, dark brows favoured by idols and actresses back then, the singles are sporting softer straight arches in a light brown hue. They’ve also updated other 2010s beauty staples: the classic two-tone gradient lips are replaced with contoured lips paired with glossy lipstick, while the eyes are kept minimal with a subtle slim liner that follows the natural eye shape rather than flicking out into a wing.

Want to try the look for yourself? From brows to lips to eyes, here’s how to nail the same K-beauty it-girl style that Single’s Inferno 5 contestants are rocking.

Bare eyes, light brows

Even on their one-on-one dates in paradise, the girls keep their makeup minimal and effortlessly chic. Eyes are lightly defined with a coat or two of lengthening mascara, subtly extended beyond the natural lash line with a pencil or cream liner, while brows are tinted with a matching brow mascara for a soft, harmonious look. If you’re not naturally blessed with long lashes, try cluster falsies on the center of your eyes to draw attention to your peepers—enhancing that signature doe-eyed effect without looking overdone.

Cool-toned blush 

The Single’s Inferno 5 cast rarely goes heavy on color for cheeks or eyes. When they do add blush, it’s usually in cool-toned shades—think powder pinks, lilacs, mauves, and berries—steering clear of warm pinks, corals, or peaches. Keep the application light and natural, and pair it with strategically placed highlighter on the cheekbones to catch the light and add subtle dimension.

Korean style lip contour 

Even when overlining their lips, Korea’s it-girls keep it subtle. Unlike Western styles that outline the entire lip, they leave the lower lip untouched and focus on enhancing the cupid’s bow. Using a pencil or crayon lip liner, draw a small “V” shape above the natural cupid’s bow and along the edges of the upper lip. Choose a taupe or brown-leaning shade that complements your skin tone. Next, gently press your lips together and use your fingers to blend the liner into a soft shadow. Finish with a lip tint of your choice—opt for a glowy, dewy finish rather than matte to achieve the signature Seoul girl look: a naturally fuller, juicier pout that still feels effortless.

Aegyo-sal 

You won’t catch the Single’s Inferno girls in smoky eyes or heavy eye makeup, but one detail they never skip is enhancing their aegyo-sal for that wide-eyed, youthful effect. Using a light brown eyeshadow or soft powder contour, they subtly define the small fatty area beneath the lower lash line, then finish with a touch of glittery eyeliner to catch the light. The result is an innocent, bright-eyed look that feels fresh rather than overdone.

Ponytails

Track star Kim Min-ji is single-handedly bringing ponytails back. The 30-year-old often sports the low-maintenance hairstyle on her socials, proving that simple doesn’t have to mean boring. To elevate the look, she typically pulls down a few face-framing strands, softening the ponytail and giving it that off-duty it-girl finish.