South Korea has a knack for creative personality tests, and the latest one making waves is the “teto-egen” test. Inspired by the hormones testosterone (“teto”) and estrogen (“egen”), this trend isn’t about science, but more about energy.
This test has become a talking point on TikTok and across K-pop fandoms, with fans labelling their favourite idols – like aespa’s Winter as a classic teto, and Karina as a prime example of egen. Even SNL Korea got in on the fun with a parody sketch.
So, what exactly sets the two apart, and how can you reflect your teto or egen energy through your makeup? Let’s break it down.
Curious where you fall? Take the teto-egen test here before scrolling down to discover your perfect makeup look.
Teto vs Egen: Key Characteristics
- Teto women: Bold, expressive, outgoing. They project confidence and a touch of playfulness. Think adventurous, extroverted vibes.
- Egen women: Gentle, graceful, and traditionally feminine. They exude softness, subtlety, and elegance.
If you’re curious how this translates into beauty and style, makeup is a great place to start. Teto energy often leans into defined looks – think strong brows, sharp eyeliner, and bolder colour choices that give off a confident edge.
Egen energy, by contrast, tends to favour softer details like glowing skin, subtle blush, and more natural tones.
Whether you’re aiming for cool and commanding or warm and graceful, the right makeup look can help bring your inner teto or egen to the surface.
Makeup for Teto Types
Minnie of i-dle (formerly known as (G)-IDLE) wearing a fierce smokey eye look paired with vivid red lips that are peak teto energy – confident, expressive, and impossible to ignore. This power look channels her fearless personality, proving she’s not here to blend in but to stand out.
Blackpink Jennie’s bold, smoky eyeliner and nude lip scream teto vibes—strong, edgy, and effortlessly cool. The sharp liner adds drama, while the nude lip keeps it balanced, reflecting her confident, no-fuss attitude that’s always in control.
The overall vibe for teto makeup is dynamic, statement-making, and eye-catching, ideal for women who want their personality to shine through bold, expressive looks.
Teto Base Makeup
HERA Black Cushion
For the teto woman who loves to stand out, the Hera Black Cushion is the ultimate base. Offering full coverage with a radiant matte finish, it delivers a flawless, long-lasting look that lasts all day.
Perfect for a bold, confident makeup look, this cushion helps you create a canvas that lets your striking eyes and lips take centre stage.
HERA Black Cushion retails for S$55.12 and is available on Yesstyle.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation
For all-day wear and full coverage, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation has got your back. This powerhouse formula provides a smooth, matte finish that will last through anything – whether you’re owning the night or powering through a busy day.
With its wide range of shades, it creates a flawless base that keeps your skin looking perfected and shine-free, so you can focus on making a statement.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation retails for S$65 and is available at Sephora.
Teto Eye Makeup
Clio Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Liner
When it comes to creating bold eye looks that last, the Clio Sharp So Simple Water is a must-have. As the name suggests, it’s incredibly easy to use – just glide and go. This ultra-precise liner glides on effortlessly, delivering deep, intense colour that stays put through sweat, rain, or anything life throws your way.
Clio Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Liner retails for S$14.63 and is available at Watsons.
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
Step into your teto energy with the Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette.
Packed with rich, smoky shades and edgy metallics, this palette lets you create eye-catching looks that demand attention. From dramatic grunge to a subtle pop of shimmer, these versatile shades ensure your eyes steal the spotlight all day long.
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette retails for S$115 and is available at Sephora.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow
With a high-impact formula that delivers intense shimmer and sparkle in a single swipe, the Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow gives you eyes that dazzle and eyes that catch the light from every angle.
Perfect for creating those bold, dramatic eyes that will turn heads whenever you walk into a room, this liquid shadow ensures your look is as fierce and unforgettable as you are.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow retails for S$40 and is available at Sephora.
Teto Lip Makeup
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
For the ultimate teto statement, MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo is your go-to. This iconic, true-red delivers a high-impact matte finish that stays bold and flawless all day. Ideal for those who love to stand out, this lipstick isn’t just a colour – it’s a declaration of confidence, power, and attitude.
With Ruby Woo, your lips are ready to command attention and leave a lasting impression.
Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo retails for S$42 and is available at Sephora.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
Ready to turn heads? The SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is made for those who dare to stand out. With an extensive range of shades – from fierce reds to edgy purples and every daring hue in between – this long-lasting formula gives you bold, matte colour that stays put for up to 16 hours.
No smudging, no fading, just full-on vibrant lips that keep up with your energy all day and all night long.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick retails for S$17.90 and is available on the Maybelline website.
Makeup for Egen Types
IU’s natural, soft makeup look perfectly embodies the essence of egen energy – graceful, subtle and effortlessly feminine. Her delicate skin is highlighted with a smooth, fresh base, while soft, natural shades of eyeshadow and a barely-there lip enhance her natural beauty.
This makeup style is all about embracing a refined, understated elegance that lets your natural charm shine through without overpowering it.
Eunha from VIVIZ takes a soft yet radiant approach with a glowing base and soft peach-pink eyeshadow paired with a glossy lip, perfectly channelling egen vibes. The light, warm tones create a gentle and balanced look, while the glow from within adds that touch of ethereal charm.
Her makeup reflects a calm confidence, showcasing that beauty doesn’t need to be loud to make a lasting impression.
The overall vibe for egen makeup is soft, refined, and effortlessly radiant – ideal for women who want to emphasise their natural features with subtle, harmonious looks that feel both fresh and timeless.
Egen Base Makeup
Laneige Neo Cushion Glow
For that flawless, fresh-faced glow, the Laniege Neo Cushion Glow is the perfect match. This cushion foundation delivers a dewy, luminous finish that enhances your skin’s natural radiance while providing lightweight, buildable coverage.
Ideal for the egen woman who loves a soft, fresh base, this cushion will keep you looking effortlessly radiant all day long. With its moisturising formula, your skin will feel as good as it looks, bringing out your natural beauty in the most graceful way.
Laneige Neo Cushion Glow retails for S$71 and is available at all Laneige boutiques and counters, as well as Sephora.
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation
When it comes to a smooth, flawless finish, the Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation by Kylie Cosmetics is the ideal choice. This lightweight foundation blurs imperfections, creating an airbrushed effect while maintaining your skin’s natural texture.
Its breathable formula provides just the right amount of coverage, offering a soft, radiant glow without feeling heavy. Perfect for an everyday egen look, it gives you that effortlessly radiant and perfected complexion, all while enhancing your natural beauty with a subtle finish.
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation retails for S$50 and is available at Sephora.
Egen Eye Makeup
Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette Peritage Collection (#01 Prestige Pink)
The Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette in #01 Prestige Pink is the perfect way to bring soft elegance to your eyes. With its harmonious blend of delicate pinks and warm neutrals, this palette enhances your natural beauty with a subtle, refined touch.
Ideal for egen women who appreciate soft, feminine shades that bring out the best in their features, the gentle matte and shimmer finishes ensure a fresh, radiant eye look that’s effortlessly polished.
Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette Peritage Collection (#01 Prestige Pink) retails for S$28 and is available on Yesstyle.
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner (01 Icy Pink)
The K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner in 01 Icy Pink enhances the delicate aegyo-sal with subtle shadow and dimension, making it the perfect tool for creating that soft, radiant look.
Its lightly pigmented formula defines the eye bag crease or double eyelid with just the right amount of depth, while the ultra-fine brush allows for easy, precise application. The tears tank powder sponge tip adds a touch of shimmer and dimension under the eyes, giving a soft glow without being too overpowering.
Designed for effortless elegance, this liner helps create the fresh, youthful look that is essential to egen makeup, enhancing your natural features with ease.
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner (01 Icy Pink) retails for S$21.10 and is available at Watsons.
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
For defined, soft lashes that complement your egen beauty, the Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara is the ultimate option.
This mascara creates beautifully long, separated lashes with a natural, elegant curl, enhancing your eyes without overdramatic volume. Its lightweight formula ensures a delicate finish, perfect for everyday makeup that emphasises natural beauty.
Whether you’re going for a soft daytime look or adding just a touch of definition for evening, this mascara holds your lashes in place all day, creating a subtle yet polished finish that brightens your eyes with every blink.
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara retails for S$22.50 and is available at Watsons.
Egen Lip Makeup
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig
For egen women who appreciate elegance, the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig is the ultimate MLBB (My Lips But Better) shade. This soft, rosy tint gives your lips a fresh, healthy glow that enhances your natural lip colour without being overpowering.
The lightweight formula provides long-lasting hydration and a smooth, radiant finish, making it perfect for those who want a subtle yet refined lip look that fits seamlessly into a soft, everyday egen makeup routine.
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig retails for S$20.90 and is available at Guardian.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink
For lips that feel as good as they look, the Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink offers a sheer, natural finish perfect for egen beauty. Infused with nourishing ingredients, this lip glow keeps your lips hydrated and smooth, making it ideal for an effortless, natural look.
Whether you’re going for a soft everyday glow or a hint of colour, this lip balm enhances your lips’ natural beauty with just the right amount of shine.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink retails for S$62 and is available at all Dior boutiques and counters, as well as Sephora.
