10 Top Korean Makeup Trends in 2025 You’ll Be Obsessed With!

Korean makeup trends are always ahead of the curve and 2025 is shaping up to be no different. From fresh, dewy skin to bold, yet subtle, eye looks, the future of K-beauty is all about embracing natural beauty with a modern twist.

We’ve reached out to top beauty experts to give us their take on the trends you’ll be seeing everywhere next year.

Read on to find out the top 10 Korean makeup trends in 2025 and what’s in store for your beauty routine!

Meet Our Experts

• Jung Saem-mool, a highly acclaimed Korean celebrity makeup artist and founder of JUNGSAEMMOOL Beauty, is celebrated for her mastery in creating flawless, glowing skin that has left a lasting impact on the beauty industry. She’s also pioneered the “transparent makeup” trend, a technique that was famously popularised in the 2001 Korean rom-com My Sassy Girl.
• Ummi Nasir, a renowned makeup artist, content creator, and beauty influencer whose artistry has captivated countless followers. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for enhancing natural beauty, she shares her expert tips and tricks on her platforms, @makeupbyumminasir and @karaabyumminasir.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Metallic Accent Makeup

Jung Saem-mool, Korean celebrity makeup artist and founder of JUNGSAEMMOOL Beauty shared that “adding accents with small embellishments or metallic pigments is a current trend expected to continue into 2025.

This style enhances everyday looks with unique, eye-catching details, adding a touch of boldness and sparkle.”

She emphasised that it’s “frequently seen in K-pop music videos, where gems adorn teeth or nails glisten with shimmering accessories, this trend adds a dramatic flair without the need for piercings, offering a striking, radiant effect.”

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Texture-Enhanced Makeup

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This style maximises a natural look by highlighting texture with ultra-fine detail.

“Brows are defined hair by hair and eyelashes are given individual attention to mimic the effect of perfectly applied false lashes. This refined technique emphasises every strand for an exquisite, textured finish that’s as natural as it is sophisticated,” Jung shared.

According to Jung, “dual-sided eyebrow pencils that offer thin and thick tips, along with a brush, make it easy to customise shape and volume, adding structure and dimension to the face.”

The Gucci Beauty Stylo À Sourcils Waterproof Brow Pen (S$75) is perfect for drawing and filling in the brows to achieve a natural finish.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Healthy Flush Look” (a.k.a. “Drunken Blush”)

According to Jung, the “drunken blush” is a current trend that gives “a youthful, healthy flush and is expected to evolve further.”

She believes that in 2025, “we’ll likely see the addition of playful designs, like stars or hearts incorporated into the blush area, to create a vibrant, energetic style that feels fresh and lively.”

To achieve this look, Ummi thinks that Fwee is “the latest evolving brand,” and “their Blurring Pot Colour and Jelly Pot are perfect for a soft, blurred, under-eye blush look.”

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Goth-Inspired Makeup

While this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Jung shared that “dark, muted and toned-down lip colours will make a statement, expressing a blend of peace with an edge of social melancholy or unease.”

The overall look combines a pale, almost gaunt complexion with gothic-inspired lips, reflecting a moodier aesthetic. Perhaps it’s perfect for those who love to try out bold makeup looks!

If you’re curious to try gothic looks but afraid it might be too bold, soft gothic vibes are the perfect alternative. Risky Beauty, a Korean brand offers a collection that lets you explore both bold and subtle gothic styles.

Whether you’re going all out or keeping it low-key, their range is perfect for amping up your 2025 looks!

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Contrasted Highlights

Contrasted highlights are perfect for adding subtle drama to everyday looks.

“Using highlighter on the inner corners of the eyes, brow bones, and cheekbones will gain popularity, but instead of glossy textures, we’ll see more powdery, shimmering finishes,” Jung says.

She added, stating that “this contrasting, powdered highlight is especially popular with K-pop girl groups, adding depth and drama without the typical dewy look.”

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Dewy Glass Skin or “Jello Skin”

This trend has been an up-and-coming favourite, and Ummi believes it will still be a hit in 2025.

“Jello skin, which features a bouncy, smooth, and dewy look”, is all about that glass skin effect. She also mentioned, “I can imagine brands like Fwee introducing a range of colours to enhance their offerings.”

SPF-infused cushion foundation is a great option for achieving a dewy glass skin look! It “allows you to maintain a fresh, natural complexion while defending against UV damage,” Jung shared.

Bobbi Brown’s Weightless Skin Cushion Foundation SPF 40 PA+++ (S$93) is a perfect option and ideal for those seeking flawless coverage without compromising on skincare or sun protection.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Soft Blurred Lips

Loved by many who admire K-pop stars, soft blurred lips continue to be a “popular K-beauty trend.”

As Ummi explains, “Most lip products feature light, sheer, and soft formulas to achieve that diffused, blurred lip look. The focus is on creating a natural, effortless finish that complements a fresh, youthful aesthetic.”

Amuse Dew Tinted Lip Balm (S$27) makes creating soft, blurred lips effortless with its sheer tint and moisturising formula.

“Tinted lip balms hydrate while giving a subtle colour boost, instantly brightening and refreshing the face,” Jung shared.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Blush Placement

Blush placement is a trend that allows for creativity, enhancing different areas of the face for a unique and flattering effect.

Ummi highlighted, “It’s a versatile look but not just for under-eye blush.” This shift in placement adds dimension and freshness, making it a staple in modern makeup routines.

Her love for cream blush perfectly ties into this as she shared that cream blush is “a multipurpose product that you can use as blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow.”

She also mentioned that from her recent trip to Korea, “you can see every brand has a cream blush in their makeup range.”

Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil (S$60) is a wonderful option and is great for both professionals and beginners. It’s a weightless cream blush made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin with a sheer veil of colour.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Pearlescent Makeup Look

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This look is all about achieving a “more radiant skin but with subtle soft highlights on the face,” Ummi shared. It gives the skin a delicate, dewy effect, creating an ethereal and youthful appearance while also enhancing the natural glow of the face.

Korean Makeup Trends 2025: Aegyo-sal Trend

Ummi highlighted that the Aegyo sal trend is becoming increasingly popular, with “more brands focusing on creating products that can create a subtle Aegyo sal effect”, which enhances the natural shape of the under-eye area.

This look creates a soft, shaded contour that highlights the under-eye bags in a flattering, intentional way.

Tips to Achieve These Korean Makeup Looks

While there are many ways to achieve these beauty looks, both Jung and Ummi shared a few easy tips and suggestions:

• Enhance facial dimension with highlighter: Go beyond your usual makeup style, experiment with placement and texture of highlighters, and bring in fresh elements while reflecting your personality and mood.
• Don’t stick to just one trend: Express yourself freely without limiting yourself to any one style.
• Find the best colour and texture for your skin: This ensures a more natural, long-lasting look, especially in a humid climate.