Whether they’re performing on stage or posing on the red carpet, you can’t deny that K-pop idols always have flawless makeup. But how exactly do they achieve this long-lasting coverage while still looking so naturally perfect?
As it turns out, K-pop idols and their makeup artists swear by one product in particular – BB cream!
Celebrity makeup artist Jo Eun Bee (@biyaaaa on Instagram) has shared that she and other makeup artists are huge fans of BB creams, using them to elevate the looks of her celebrity clientele.
Eun Bee has worked with groups like Blackpink, Aespa, and NewJeans, and even has her own makeup brand that’s loved by idols!
So, read on for why BB creams are so popular in Korea, and get the same perfect base as your favourite idols with our recommended products.
What Makes BB Cream Special?
@glowishere kpop idol make up artist for new jeans, aespa, blackpink etc used glows bb cream to create a silky smooth finish that doesnt burden the skin! have you given glows bb creams a try yet? #glow #glowishere #glowisgood #kbeauty #kbeautyskincare #seoul #kskincare
BB creams help you to achieve a smooth and even base, hiding blemishes and preparing your complexion for the rest of your makeup look.
They’re much more lightweight than foundations, offering a sheer and dewy finish that’s perfect for natural makeup.
While BB cream hasn’t been commonly used in Western makeup for a while, it’s remained enduringly popular among Koreans, especially Korean makeup artists and celebrities.
Credits: @biyaaaa/Instagram
According to Eun Bee, BB cream is beloved by Korean beauty enthusiasts for the seamless skin-like finish that they deliver, all while being gentle on the skin.
This is particularly important for idols, who have to wear heavy makeup all day long!
Korean makeup gurus also often mix their BB creams with their foundations in order to create a more hydrating formula that glides on smoothly and evenly while still delivering flawless full coverage.
Products To Try
Eager to experience the magic of BB creams for yourself? Check out our top picks!
glow Breathable Blemish Balm
Enriched with green tea leaf water and glycerin, this lightweight BB cream is Eun Bee’s go-to product for her celebrity clients.
It comes in three shades, which can be used alone or mixed together to create your exact shade. Plus, its hydrating formula is comprised of 77% skincare ingredients to give your skin a healthy, all-natural radiance!
The glow Breathable Blemish Balm retails for S$36 on Beaubit.
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream RX
Hailed as Korea’s top BB Cream brand, Missha is known for its long-lasting and high-coverage BB creams.
This legendary product is the original Missha BB cream, lasting for up to 30 hours without fading. It brightens the complexion and blends into your skin seamlessly, giving you a natural glow!
Best of all, it’s infused with eight types of hyaluronic acid, five types of peptides, collagen, as well as ceramide in order to rejuvenate your skin.
The Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream RX retails for S$19.62 on Shopee.
Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream
Packed with skincare ingredients like centella asiatica extract, niacinamide, and panthenol, this vegan BB cream is sure to leave your skin soft and healthy.
It has a velvety finish with a hint of glow and offers medium coverage in six shades to give you a silky smooth complexion.
With six shades to choose from, this BB cream is crafted without animal-derived ingredients or animal testing, and is free from essential oils. It hydrates and soothes the skin while strengthening the skin barrier, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin!
The Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream retails for S$17.90 on Shopee.
Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
A recent addition to local Sephora shelves, Kosas’s popular BB cream puts a twist on your standard tinted moisturiser.
Combining active skincare and buildable coverage, this BB cream smoothens and nourishes the skin. It supports the skin barrier through triple-hydration technology and has been clinically proven to improve skin health and increase hydration by 230% after four weeks of use!
Plus, with an impressive range of 20 shades to choose from, you’re sure to find your perfect match.
The Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream retails for S$60 at Sephora.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
This brand-new BB cream comes in an innovative balm format, perfect for touching up on the go!
The solid formula is packed with eight skin-loving ingredients and designed with HA+ Technology in order to plump fine lines and produce a my-skin-but-better effect.
Its silky texture melts into the skin, and can be easily blended with your fingertips. As a bonus, it comes in 16 shades, so it can be used as a highlighter or contour as well!
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint retails for S$72 at Sephora.
Featured image credits: @glowishere/TikTok.
