How to recreate the Korean "no-makeup makeup" look

What Characterizes the Korean No-Makeup Makeup Look

The Korean no-makeup makeup look is about appearing makeup-free while the skin has a healthy, dewy glow and the facial features are subtly enhanced. This trend focuses on creating a youthful and fresh expression without it being obvious that you are wearing makeup. In Korea, the ideal is a “chok chok” skin – an expression for dewy, moisture-rich, and resilient skin that almost looks like glass (glass skin). To achieve this, Korean beauty routines place great emphasis on skincare and moisture. It is part of the K-beauty philosophy to first get the skin as healthy as possible and then use makeup to enhance it. The result is a natural look with radiant glow that exudes health.

The Style and Philosophy Behind the Look

A major difference between Korean and Western makeup lies in the aesthetics. Korean makeup looks strive for a softer, more natural, and youthful expression. The base is usually thin and light-reflecting, preferring light products like BB cream, CC cream, or tinted moisturizers over thick layers of foundation. The skin should still look like skin, but with a more even tone and fine glow. Contouring and bronzer are used very sparingly; instead, the face is given color and life with a little blush on the cheeks. This way, a natural blush is highlighted, and the face gets a fresh, youthful glow.

Even eyes and eyebrows are kept natural. Instead of sharply sculpted “Instagram brows,” straight or slightly curved brows in their natural shape are popular. Often, they are only gently filled in and brushed up for a soft impression, with no hard edges here! Eyeshadows come in neutral or pastel tones, skipping smoky, dark looks in favor of light shimmers that open up the eyes. A dab of shimmering shadow in the inner corner of the eye or along the lower lash line, a technique called “aegyo sal,” is common to give the eyes a more alert, youthful appearance. Eyeliner can be used thinly to define the eye, preferably in a soft brown shade or with a slight winged “puppy eyeliner” that gives a rounder, softer impression instead of a dramatic cat-eye. Lashes are curled and possibly a bit of mascara is added, but preferably naturally separated lashes rather than heavy false eyelashes.

Lips can have gloss or a subtle tint. Instead of matte, full-coverage lipsticks in strong colors (like classic red lips), soft lip tints or tinted lip balms in pink or peach tones are often used. These give the lips a hint of color without looking “overdone.” A popular technique is gradient lips, where more color is applied in the center of the lips and blended out towards the edges for a natural “just bitten” effect. The result is lips that look naturally rosy, almost as if you've eaten berries or lightly bitten your lip, an innocent, young appearance. For extra shine, a bit of transparent gloss can be added, but the ultra-shiny “glossy” look from the 90s is avoided in favor of a more moisturized look.

The focus in Korean no-makeup makeup is on the skin's glow and health. Healthy skin is the foundation , Korean products often combine makeup with skincare to achieve this. The “Skin first” philosophy permeates K-beauty, many base products contain SPF and nourishing ingredients, and the formulations are light, gentle, and non-comedogenic so that the skin can “breathe.” The goal is for you to look like an improved version of yourself, healthy, rested, and glowing, rather than looking made-up. Glass skin, soft colors, and innovative 2-in-1 products that simplify your routine are at the core of this philosophy.

Key products to create the look

To recreate this natural look, there are certain types of makeup products that are particularly useful. Here are some key products to succeed with a Korean no-makeup look.

Cushion foundation or BB cream

These base products are the heart of K-beauty. A BB cream is an all-in-one product that combines moisturizer, foundation, and sun protection in one step. It provides light to medium coverage and allows your natural skin tone to shine through for a fresher appearance (perfect for the “no-makeup” look!). Cushion foundation is a Korean innovation, a liquid foundation in a compact case with a built-in makeup sponge. You apply it by gently dabbing the product onto the skin, making it easy to achieve even, thin coverage. The finish is often dewy and radiant, thanks to light and moisturizing formulations. Both BB creams and cushions often contain skincare ingredients and high SPF, so they protect and care for the skin during the day while evening out the skin tone. The skin looks like itself, just more even and “plump.”

Tip! Start with a thin layer and build up as needed to avoid a cakey base.

Cream blush

Blush is the secret behind that healthy look. In Korea, blush is used extensively to give the face a youthful, fresh appearance without much bronzer or contour. A cream blush or cushion blush blends nicely into the base and adds extra radiance, as if the blush comes from within the skin. Apply it to the “apple” of the cheek, the rounded, highest part of the cheek, to mimic a natural blush. Common shades are peachy pink, coral, or light apricot that mimic real blush. Creamy blushes are easy to blend out with fingers or a sponge, and you can build up the color in thin layers. The result is a subtle flush without harsh edges, perfectly in line with the no-makeup aesthetic.

Tip! “Less is more” – start with a little blush, you can always add more.

Tinted lip balms or lip tints

For the lips, we want a hint of color that looks natural. Tinted lip balms provide both moisture and a sheer color – perfect if you want something super simple. Lip tints are also hugely popular in K-beauty. These are liquid or gel-like lip colors that stain the lips themselves instead of sitting as a thick layer on top. They feel light, last long, and give the lips a rosy appearance without feeling dry. You can apply the tint in the center of the lips and blend outwards for an ombré effect, or wear it as it is for an even color. Many Korean tints also have buildable intensity, allowing you to achieve anything from very sheer to a more vibrant color depending on how many layers you apply. For extra shine, you can top it with a little lip gloss or a nourishing lip oil, but often the tint alone is enough for the "my lips but better" look.

Tip! Dab off excess tint with a finger or tissue – it gives an even more natural, diffused impression.

What about the eyes?

Well, in a no-makeup look, you can absolutely use a little eyeshadow in soft tones (e.g., beige, champagne, or light peach) to give the eyes depth without being too noticeable. A lightly shimmering shadow on the eyelid can bring life to the gaze. Eyeliner is optional, a thin line close to the lash line in brown color can define the eye discreetly. The eyebrows only need to be lightly shaped: brush them and fill in any gaps with strokes that mimic hairs, so they look fuller but still natural. Finish off by curling the lashes and applying mascara in a thin layer (preferably a mascara that separates the lashes without clumping). The goal is for the eyes to look bright and defined, without it actually being noticeable that you've applied makeup.

Skincare Ingredients in Korean Makeup

One reason why Korean makeup provides such a nice glow is that the products are often enriched with skincare ingredients. K-beauty generally focuses on hydrating, soothing, and strengthening the skin, even when it comes to makeup. It's not uncommon to find active ingredients like niacinamide, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and centella asiatica ("cica") in the makeup products themselves. Here are some common ingredients that Korean brands like to include to make the makeup beneficial for the skin.

Centella Asiatica ("cica")

A soothing plant extract (a small herb in the parsley family) that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In skincare, centella asiatica helps to reduce inflammation and redness. In makeup, centella can help to soothe the skin throughout the day, perfect for sensitive or acne-prone skin that easily gets irritated. Many Korean foundations and cushions for acne-prone skin contain centella or tea tree precisely for these calming properties.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

A powerful vitamin that evens out skin tone and provides radiance. Niacinamide is a favorite in K-beauty because it can help reduce hyperpigmentation, refine pores, and strengthen the skin barrier over time. In makeup formulations, it helps the skin look clearer and more even, for example, there are cushion foundations with niacinamide to give a more radiant finish while treating the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

A moisture-binding molecule that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic Acid is extremely common in Korean products for moisturizing and plumping the skin. When it's in a foundation or BB-cream, it ensures that your skin stays hydrated throughout the day, giving it that plump, dewy look. Have you ever wondered why Korean bases rarely look cakey? Hyaluronic acid is one of the secrets – it prevents makeup from looking dry.

Snail Secretion (Snail Mucus)

It may sound odd, but snail mucus is a talked-about K-beauty ingredient with moisturizing, healing, and anti-aging properties. Snail secretion can help the skin repair itself, thanks to contents like allantoin and peptides, and at the same time provides plenty of moisture and elasticity. Some Korean BB-creams and serums contain snail secretion to keep the skin firm and "glowy" all day. Don't worry, it's purified filtrate that's used, nothing slimy feels on the skin!

Propolis

A bee product that is loved for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Propolis (bee propolis) provides nourishment and radiance while helping to soothe acne and redness. In Korean makeup products, propolis can contribute to a "honey glow," think of skin that has the same soft, fine luster as honey. It is particularly suitable in, for example, primers or cushion foundations that aim for kkul-gwang (honey-glossy skin, kkul means honey). Propolis is thus a super ingredient for you who want glow and to take care of your skin under makeup.

Popular Korean Brands and Products for the Look

There are plenty of fantastic Korean products to explore. Here are some popular examples of brands/products that are perfect for a natural, radiant look.

• Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream. A true K-beauty classic. Missha's BB-cream is one of the best-selling BB creams of all time and with good reason! It functions as a 3-in-1 base with skincare, high sun protection factor, and smoothing coverage all in one. The formula is enriched with, among others, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which means it moisturizes the skin while evening out the skin tone. Perfect for days you want to look fresh without feeling heavily made up.
• Jung Saem Mool Cushion Foundation. This cushion-foundation from the Korean celebrity makeup artist Jung Saem Mool has gone viral internationally for its incredible "skin-like" finish. It provides weightless, buildable coverage that leaves the skin with a natural glow – like your skin, but better. Extra plus: the brand has focused on developing a wide shade range for different skin tones, making it more inclusive than many older K-beauty bases. If you're looking for the "your skin but better" effect, this cushion is worth checking out.
• Etude House Dear Darling Tint & Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint. When it comes to lip products for a no-makeup look, Korean tints dominate the market. Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint is an iconic tint that gives a transparent, fruit-colored stain to the lips – perfect for gradient effects. Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint is another favorite that combines the tint's longevity with a beautiful glossy finish. Both are loved for being lightweight yet providing vibrant, long-lasting color to the lips. They do not dry out the lips and come in a plethora of shades (from nude to berry red), so you can find your perfect “MLBB” (my lips but better) color.
• Peripera Pure Blushed Sunshine Cheek. Peripera is known for playful makeup products, and their Pure Blushed Sunshine blush is no exception. It is a powder/pressed blush that applies sheer and is buildable, making it foolproof for a natural look. The colors are soft like peach, rose, or soft coral and lay as a natural flush on the cheeks. Perfect for adding a bit of color to the face without the risk of “clown cheeks”. Additionally, it comes in a cute and compact packaging that is easy to carry in the bag for touch-ups.

Other brands to check out include Innisfree (known for their natural ingredients and, for example, their No-Sebum mineral powder for lightly setting the base), Laneige (their cushion foundations and Lip Sleeping Mask are global bestsellers for glow), Klairs (who make a popular illuminating BB-cream with a mild formula). The Korean range is enormous – so there is something for everyone!)

How to apply the products

A Korean makeup routine is about layers upon layers in thin veils to achieve the natural result. Here is a simple overview of the order in which you can apply the products for this look.

Skincare as a base

Always start with your regular skincare routine on clean skin. Moisturize thoroughly with face cream and apply sunscreen (SPF). A well-moisturized, protected skin gives the best base for no-makeup makeup. Moisture is key to achieving the glow – “if you want to glow, you’ve got to hydrate!” remind Korean makeup artists.

Light base

Apply your cushion foundation or BB cream evenly over the face. Use the included puff or fingertips and dab lightly, not rub, so the base melts in nicely. The goal is to even out the skin tone, not to cover every little spot. Let features like freckles shine through for a natural feel.

Concealer (if needed)

Dab on a little concealer under the eyes against dark circles or directly on blemishes/redness if coverage is still needed. Use a lightweight concealer and pat it in with your finger so that it blends into the base. Be sparing, it should only cover the essentials, so the rest of the skin can shine through.

Blush

Smile and identify the apples of your cheeks, where you apply your cream blush. Use your fingertips or a sponge and gently dab the blush until it blends into the base without sharp edges. Build up little by little until you achieve a subtle blush. The idea is for it to look like the blush comes from within, giving the face a fresh look.

Brows & Eyes

Lightly fill in your eyebrows, draw small, feather-light strokes with a thin brow pencil where needed, and comb through with a brush. The brows should look natural, so avoid clear edge lines. For the eyes, you can sweep a neutral eyeshadow over the lid to define the eyes discreetly. If you wish, apply a super-thin eyeliner along the upper lash line and smudge it a little for a 'blurred' effect. Finish with mascara, one coat is enough to open up the eyes. The goal is lashes that look naturally full, without clumps.

Lips

Apply a tinted lip balm or dab on your lip tint. Start in the middle of the lip and possibly tone out towards the edges for a gradient effect. If you're using a lip balm, you can also pat a little with your fingertip to work in the color so it looks like your own lip tone. The result should be soft, as if the color comes from within the lips. No lip liner is needed, this should look incredibly natural.

Tip! A face spray (mist) can be your best friend for setting makeup without a powdery feel. Many Korean makeup artists spray a thin layer of mist between each layer of makeup, after the base, after concealer and after blush so that everything melts together and looks dewy. Feel free to try spraying a moisturizing mist as a finishing touch, it makes the makeup look like skin.

Tips & inspiration

Don't forget to have fun with your makeup! One of the loveliest things about K-beauty is the playful approach, think of all the cute packaging and creative trends that pop up. Don't be afraid to experiment and make the look your own. Maybe you'll swap your usual brown eyeshadow for peachy tones, or try painting that gradient effect on your lips you've seen on movie stars. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and shine in your own version of the Korean no-makeup makeup look. So dare to try, be inspired by Korean brands and trends, and adapt to your personal style. Good luck! ✨