6 Korean Makeup Trends That Will Go Viral in 2024 – And Products to Help You Achieve Each Look

This year, the fresh and clean makeup trend, led by K-pop girl group NewJeans, dominated the scene. Later in the seasons, there was a notable surge in the popularity of semi-smokey eye makeup.

2023’s makeup trends have been exciting, but we can’t wait to see what 2024 holds!

To satisfy our curiosity, we’ve reached out to experts in the K-beauty makeup industry to glean insights into the top Korean makeup trends of 2024.

Curious to learn about what’s ahead? Then, keep reading!

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: The “NewJeans Effect”

Claire, a Korean-trained bridal makeup artist widely recognised as @ladyyclairemakeup on Instagram, describes the “NewJeans effect” as a natural, healthy skin-like finish.

While this natural makeup look is already widely popular in 2023, it shows no signs of waning in 2024.

“The trend will shift towards enhancing a person’s natural beauty, moving away from complex techniques,” Claire emphasised, and “soft gradient-style makeup will be favoured over sharp, harsh styles”.

Products to Help You Nail the Trend

To achieve the coveted soft gradient-style makeup, try using the brush collection by New Jeans’ makeup artist, Lee Na Kyeum, in collaboration with the popular Korean makeup tool brand Fillimilli.

These brushes are specifically designed to replicate the soft, skin-like finish that demands a high level of technique when using regular brushes.

Lee Na Kyeum has even gone undercover as a part-time makeup artist to put these brushes through rigorous testing, attesting to their effectiveness!

• Fillimilli S Airy Blur Powder Brush 886 retails for S$34.21 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• Fillimilli S Fitting Flat Foundation Brush 826 retails for S$45.37 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: Low Nose Bridge

Having a high nose bridge has been considered a desirable feature for the longest time. So, when Zoel (@zoel.makeup), our local makeup artist star, introduced a low nose bridge as a trend for 2024, it caught us off guard.

However, everything fell into place when he illustrated his assertion with a picture of BlackPink’s Jennie Kim.

“We’re always influenced by Korean idols,” Zoel pointed out. Given Jennie Kim’s status as one of the biggest K-pop stars in the world, the embrace of a lower nose bridge as a trend isn’t entirely unexpected.

Lowering your nose bridge with makeup can also contribute to softer, less angular facial features, which are often associated with youth, or better known as the “NewJeans effect”.

Products to Help You Nail the Trend

Achieving a lowered nose bridge is as simple as shading across it with contour powder while avoiding highlighting.

A highly recommended contour powder is the iconic Too Cool For School Artclass By Rodin Shading.

This classic product was the first of its kind, introducing three-in-one shades that users could effortlessly blend to create the most natural-looking contours suited to their skin tone.

Another standout is the Etude Shadow Contour Powder, favoured by numerous makeup artists working with beloved K-pop stars like Twice, NewJeans, Jang Won Young, BlackPink, and more.

For a convenient all-in-one palette, try the JUDYDOLL Highlight & Contour Palette. This versatile palette features two shadow shades for contouring and the colour range has been adjusted to complement Asian skin tones for a more natural finish!

• Too Cool For School Artclass By Rodin Shading retails for S$12.80 and is available on Shopee.
• Etude House Shadow Contour Powder retails for S$26.90 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• JUDYDOLL Highlight & Contour Palette retails for S$25.92 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: Korean Idol Lashes

According to Claire, “the current trend among K-pop idols like Won Young, Rosé, Sullyoon, and more is to achieve clean and long lashes that stand up strand by strand.” This technique also extends to the bottom lashes.

While we can’t seem to decide whether this Korean lash trend resembles clumpy “spider legs” or exudes a whimsical, doll-like charm, one thing is certain – Korean idol lashes are here to stay in 2024.

While this technique is achievable, it requires some practice to perfect.

Products and Services to Help You Nail the Trend

To achieve this look with mascara, use a super lengthening mascara like Heroine Make Long & Curl Advanced Film. Then, using tweezers, group a few lashes together to create a few bold strands with space between them.

“But if you have shorter lashes, you’ll have to apply individual eyelashes”, Roseanne, owner and head beauty trainer at Bloom by Roseanne explained.

This is undoubtedly a challenge for makeup beginners, so if you want to get your lashes done professionally, why not book a class at Ladyy Claire Makeup?

Claire and her team have been trained by celebrity makeup artists in Korea to create the most lightweight and comfortable Korean idol lashes!

• Heroine Make Long & Curl Advanced Film retails for S$22.90 and is available on Watsons.
• Book Ladyy Claire Makeup class here.

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: Aegyo-Sal Makeup

“Many Koreans are prioritising aegyo-sal makeup over any other eye makeup to create a shortening effect on their face and achieve a more youthful look,” Claire explained.

For the uninitiated, aegyo-sal is a Korean term that refers to the small, puffy under-eye bags or fat deposits beneath your eyes. Aegyo-sal makeup involves enhancing these under-eye bags to create the illusion of larger and brighter eyes.

While aegyo-sal makeup isn’t a novel concept in the K-beauty industry, Zoel provides a fresh perspective on the trend: “Koreans are now favouring matte and satin highlighting shades over the previous preference for high-shine, shimmery finishes.”

This marks a departure from the widely popular stark white aegyo-sal makeup of the 2010s and the glittery, star-like under-eye makeup that trended just a few years ago.

Products to Help You Nail the Trend

For the most natural aegyo-sal makeup, try the LOAR Under The Star Palette. This professional three-shade palette is renowned for its satin pearls and comes with a brush set specifically designed for aegyo-sal makeup.

Another product that’s been rising in popularity is the Too Cool For School Artclass Frottage Pencil.

Endorsed by Twice’s makeup artist, who is also an aegyo-sal makeup expert, this ultralight, airy pastel shadow can delicately highlight your under-eyes, providing a satin-like natural finish that fits perfectly with the trends of 2024.

• LOAR Under The Star Palette retails for US$23.49 (~S$31.25) and is available on BeautyBoxKorea.
• Too Cool For School Artclass Frottage Pencil retails for S$26.35 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!

Korean Makeup Trend 2024: Toned-Down Colours

“Korean makeup has always been popular for its coral eyeshadows, blushes, and lip colours, along with high-shimmer eyeshadows,” Zoel remarked.

While corals have been popular for their vibrancy, dried rose and rosewood shades create a more modern and sophisticated look.

These muted hues add a sense of understated elegance that will be preferred in 2024, and they are a clear departure from the previously embraced cutesy coral tones.

Products to Help You Nail the Trend

Once again, NewJeans’ makeup artist, Lee Nakyuem, offers the best recommendation for the dried rose look – the I’M MEME – I’m Hidden Card Palette 02 Love Card.

This palette features nine effortlessly mix-and-match eyeshadow shades and a natural, skin-like rosy blush, making it a versatile must-have.

Nakyuem also introduced the WakeMake Soft Blurring Palette in 05 Mute Coral, which has a softer mix of warm rosy tones!

• I’M Meme I’m Hidden Card Palette 02 Love Card retails for S$34.54 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• WakeMake Soft Blurring Palette 05 Mute Coral retails for S$35.51 and is available on Shopee.

Korean Makeup Trends 2024: Blur Over-Lined Lips (Cherry Lips)

“The lip liner trend, also known as ‘cherry lips’ in Korea, is poised to gain even more popularity in 2024,” observed Claire. “After all, we’re already witnessing many Korean influencers and idols embracing this trend!”

While lip liner has always been a staple in Western beauty, it has recently taken centre stage in the K-beauty industry.

“Cherry lips” embraces a more subtle, blurred effect to replicate the look of lip fillers using makeup. This is quite different from the trend in the early 2010s, when people used concealer and only tinted the middle of their lips to make them look small and doll-like!

Products to Help You Nail the Trend

Every K-beauty brand has recently introduced new stunning ranges of lip liners, and here are a few that have been spotted in every K-beauty guru’s beauty pouch:

• Rom&nd Lip Mate Pencil Be Oveeer Shade Edition retails for S$20.60 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Liner retails for S$13.90 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• Dasique Mood Blur Lip Pencil retails for S$16.90 and is available on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing, tap in to see the updated price!
• Heart Percent Dote On Mood Lip Pencil retails for S$22.43 and is available on Shopee.

Feature image credits: @for_everyoung10/Instagram, @jennierubyjane/Instagram, @newjeans_official/Instagram