Lately, there has been a TikTok trend where people use AI to create Korean-style profile photos. Many individuals are turning to these apps to enhance their appearances.
But wait, here’s an idea: Why not skip the filters and recreate the look in real life instead? It’s like giving yourself a natural makeover that works just as well as filters – not too heavy or too light, just perfect for a fresh and glowing look.
Here’s how you can achieve that cool Korean-style ID photo look with makeup.
Step 1: Base makeup
You’ll want to use a lightweight foundation or concealer for a natural-looking base. Since photography studios typically use lighting and often rely on editing for touch-ups, there’s no need for heavy foundation.
This approach enhances the Korean-style ID photo with a natural radiance, allowing your skin to exude a fresh quality.
Apply a small amount of concealer on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, then use a makeup sponge to gently blend it out, creating a three-dimensional effect on your face. Using a makeup sponge is recommended as one of the best ways to achieve the seamless finish!
Be sure to choose a foundation or concealer shade that matches your natural skin tone closely to ensure a natural and seamless appearance without a mask-like effect.
Step 2: Contouring
Next comes contouring. If you often struggle with contouring your face well, this technique will surely be helpful!
Start by contouring along the sides of your face, beginning at the top of your ears and sweeping it in a downward motion.
Blend the contour along your ear as well, ensuring a seamless transition. Also, contour your cheekbones by brushing the contour from your jawline to your cheeks, creating a natural contour effect.
For the final contouring step, use a large brush to pick up three contour shades, tapping off excess powder on the lid. Brush lightly in a downward motion for a natural and well-blended contour effect.
For those with prominent cheekbones, lightly sweep the brush over the protruding areas to achieve a more streamlined look.
Step 3: Hairline shadows
Use a dark brown eyeshadow or contour shade to create the illusion of shadows along the hairline.
Start by testing the amount on a tissue to avoid over-application. Then, gently brush from the inner to the outer edges of your hairline and forehead, ensuring a natural look.
Be sure to contour your temples as this will create a slimming effect when people see you from head-on.
Step 4: Eyeshadow
The makeup artist Jungsaem Mool recommends avoiding the use of shimmery or glittery eyeshadows. Instead, opt for matte eyeshadows for a more natural look.
Prior to applying eyeshadow, you should brighten the inner corners of your eye and eyelids with a concealer. This ensures that the eyeshadow looks more vibrant.
Choose eyeshadow shades that are one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply this shade to your eyelids, starting from the centre and gradually fading out toward the sides.
For the lower lash line, she recommends using a brown eyeliner for a more natural effect compared to black eyeliner as it can be overpowering, especially if you’re aiming for a natural look!
Then, using a fine brush, gently smudge the eyeliner outward. For a natural finish, you can use a cotton swab to soften the line further.
Tip: When applying mascara, aim for a natural look rather than overly dramatic. Curl your lashes and apply one layer of mascara at most.
Step 5: Eyebrows
Use a brush to dust a bit of translucent powder onto your eyebrows, removing any excess oil. But avoid rubbing; instead, use gentle tapping motions. Apply the powder from your eyebrows up to your brow bone to control oil and achieve a soft matte effect.
Comb your eyebrows, then use a lighter eyebrow powder shade to fill in your brows following their natural direction. You can also use a darker eyebrow pencil to fill in the areas where you have less brow hairs.
Step 6: Nose contour
Use the lightest contour shade from your contour palette to create shadows around your nose.
Start at your eyebrow and blend down to your nose tip. Continue by lightly brushing the contour on the area above your eyelids, which helps reduce puffiness and enhance the depth of your eyes.
Keeping the overall contouring subtle can help you achieve a natural enhancement effect without heavy shading.
Step 7: Blush
For blush, you can mix two different shades that are in coral and pink (be sure to choose one that matches your skin tone).
Apply the blush beneath your eyes and gently blend it upwards, extending towards your temples.
Step 8: Lips
Begin by lightly tapping concealer around your lips, using a small amount to brighten the area and create a clean lip look.
When choosing a lipstick colour, opt for a shade that closely matches your natural lip colour and avoid extremely bright or bold shades like red, maroon or anything within the range.
Apply the lipstick from the centre of your lips outward for a layered effect and blend it well.
Feature image credit: Jungsaem Mool & @sihyunhada
