The Korean Eye Makeup Guide: Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, Glitter, Aegyo Sal, and Eyebrows
- Claudia D'Agostino
- Sep 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Continuing from our previous article on lashes, we’re moving on to a comprehensive guide on Korean eye makeup, covering everything from eyeshadow and eyeliner to eye glitter, aegyo sal, and eyebrows. Korean eye looks are known for their softness and natural appeal, often with a dreamy, glowy finish. Unlike Western full-glam styles, which often emphasize bold, dark colors, Korean eye makeup typically leans towards softer tones, lighter pigmentation, and a subtle but radiant finish. If you love the way these looks enhance your features with a touch of ethereal charm, read on as we break down the main elements of a simple yet stunning Korean eye look!
1. Prepping the Eyelids
Before diving into eyeshadow, prepping your eyelids with an eyeshadow primer is essential for long-lasting, smudge-free makeup that stays vibrant all day. Korean eyeshadow primers often come in little pots and resemble single eyeshadows, unlike the liquid concealer-like primers common in the West. These primers are usually applied with a brush for a smooth and even base.
Recommended Products:
Pudaier - Eyeshadow Base: Available in skin-like beige and white, similar to Western primers in look.
Kirei&co. - Eyeshadow Base: A basic creamy pot eyeshadow base.
Canmake - Eyeshadow Base: Comes in different shades to complement the eyeshadow color, enhancing brilliance and longevity.
2. Eyeshadow: Palettes and Application
Korean eyeshadow palettes are true gems in the makeup world, often compact, travel-friendly, and curated with shades that seamlessly work together to create a cohesive look. These palettes typically include everything you need for a complete eye look, from base shades to shadow, highlight, and glitter. The most popular shades range from neutral beiges and browns to soft pinks, purples, and corals/oranges. While bright or neon colors are rare, Korean palettes excel at blending tones that suit both warm and cool undertones beautifully.
If you’re unsure of your undertone, consider reading my article on seasonal color analysis to find out. For now, remember that cool undertones tend to pair well with purples and cool pinks, while warm undertones look stunning with corals, oranges, and warm pinks.
Recommended Eyeshadow Palettes (4-9 shades, perfect for everyday looks):
UNLEASHIA - Glitterpedia Eye Palette: Includes a lot of glitters for those who love extra shine.
For more variety and experimentation, consider larger palettes like:
Basic Application Tips:
1. Apply a base color all over the lid.
2. Use a darker shade on the inner crease, outer corner, and lightly on the outer lower lash line.
3. Highlight the center of both the upper and lower lids with a lighter, brighter shade—often a shimmer or glitter.
3. Eye Glitter
Glitter is a key feature in Korean eye makeup, adding a touch of sparkle to the lids. Glitter can be applied to the center of the lid or used to highlight specific areas for a magical, twinkling effect. Single eye glitters are available in both pot and liquid forms, offering versatility depending on the look you’re aiming for.
Recommended Eye Glitters:
UNLEASHIA - Get Loose Glitter Gel: A bestselling pot glitter in a lot of different colors.
romand - The Universe Liquid Glitter: A lightly shimmering liquid glitter with a small brush suited for precise application, even on the aegyo sal.
Dasique - Starlit Jewel Liquid Glitter: A liquid glitter with different glitter sizes for maximum shine.
4. Eyeliner: Soft and Subtle
In contrast to bold liquid liners, pencil liners are more popular in Korea for creating softer, more natural lines. These pencils often come in colors like gray, brown, and tan, which are great for a subtle, everyday look while still defining the eyes. The most popular eyeliner styles in Korea are straight or "puppy" downturned lines with shorter tails, creating a gentle and youthful effect. However, the best style for you will depend on your eye shape—stay tuned for my upcoming article on eye shapes!
Recommended Pencil Liners:
3CE - Soft Mute Pencil Liner: Includes shades for drawing on aegyo sal.
WAKEMAKE - Real Ash Pencil Liner: One shade is suited for aegyo sal drawing.
HOLIKA HOLIKA - Mellow Gliding Pencil Liner: Includes shades for drawing on aegyo sal.
5. Aegyo Sal: Enhancing Youthfulness
Aegyo sal, the cute fat pocket right under the lower eyelid, is a popular feature in Korean makeup as it gives the eyes a more rounded, youthful, and well-rested look. To define aegyo sal, you’ll need a brown or tan pencil to outline the lower edge and a light beige pencil to highlight the raised part. While regular pencils can work, double-sided aegyo sal pencil liners are specifically designed for this purpose and make the process easier.
Recommended Aegyo Sal Liners:
6. Eyebrows: Soft and Natural
Korean eyebrow styles favor a straight, slightly arched shape with a filled-in look that avoids the sharply defined strands seen in Western trends. This softer approach often uses lighter colors like brown and gray, even for those with black hair, to maintain a gentle and harmonious look. Eyebrow pencils are the go-to product, preferred over pomades or other heavier options.
Recommended Eyebrow Pencils:
Final Thoughts
Whether you're aiming for a fresh, everyday look or a shimmery evening style, Korean eye makeup offers endless possibilities to enhance your features with a soft and radiant touch. For more tips specifically on lashes, be sure to check out my previous article, and stay tuned for more guides on Korean makeup and skincare to perfect your beauty routine!
All the linked products are from Yesstyle, you can save 5% on your order by using my code CLAUDIA252 at checkout!
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