From K-dramas to K-pop groups like BTS, imports from Korea are majorly growing in popularity. Of course, our favorite has to be K-Beauty (can you guess why?). K-Beauty is the hottest new trend in beauty right now! It involves beauty and skincare products from South Korea, and we’re totally obsessed.
The principles driving Korean beauty products aren’t quite the same as Western makeup ideals. K-Beauty is taking over with a focus on glass skin, a skincare regimen, and safe, natural products. Read on to learn why you should give this trend a try.
What Is K-Beauty
K-Beauty is the name for a popular beauty trend. It encompasses beauty products from South Korea, with a focus on skincare rather than makeup—although we think K-Beauty makeup products are pretty great, too.
In South Korea, very innovative companies are researching beauty and skincare and focusing on using clean, natural ingredients in their formulas. Because their focus is on skincare, they try to create products using gentle ingredients that are safe for all skin types, which is the main focus of their innovation.
K-Beauty researchers develop new products way before they become popular in the rest of the world. So, if you want to be at the forefront of the makeup industry, go grab some K-Beauty, babe!
What Is Glass Skin?
You’ve probably seen pictures of K-Beauty models with gorgeous, glowing skin that’s so moisturized that it almost looks wet. This is glass skin, skin so clean and hydrated that it appears translucent or glass-like. The goal is a complexion without any visible pores or spots—it’s all about that glow, girl.
Korean beauty brands believe that beauty comes from the inside out. It requires a lot of work to achieve and maintain such pure skin, so K-Beauty puts a lot of emphasis on skincare before you even whip out a compact.
Of course, glass skin doesn’t develop overnight. It’s a result of a focused skincare routine—a ten step routine, to be exact.
10-Step Routine
You might be used to using a handful of skincare products before bed: a cleanser, moisturizer, and maybe some eye cream. K-Beauty requires a much lengthier daily routine, but don’t we all deserve a little me-time?
K-Beauty relies on science to determine what your skin actually needs, which is sometimes referred to as “functional cosmetics.” These functional cosmetics are what get users on their way to gorg glass skin. Ten steps may seem like a lot, but don’t sweat it! We’ll lay it all out for you here.
1. Makeup Remover
Use makeup remover to draw out anything that might not come off with a cleanser, especially stubborn mascara and eyeliner. The build-up of makeup can dull the face and create acne and other blemishes—uh, no thanks!
2. Cleanser
While it might sound like overkill, cleansing your skin twice is recommended for maximum effectiveness. K-Beauty experts suggest using an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove all dirt and remaining makeup. This is often known as a double cleanse.
3. Exfoliator
You shouldn’t exfoliate your skin every day—more like once or twice a week. Exfoliation will help remove any dead skin cells, which will allow your products to be more effective.
4. Toner
Toners may have been huge in the 90s, but they’re back in a big way now. Use toner every day, as it preps your skin to receive the remaining products in the 10-step routine.
5. Essence
Essences add hydration to your skin and some have anti-aging properties, both of which are absolutely essential for the smooth, sleek K-Beauty look!
6. Treatments
This step is unique to each person and consists of the boosters, ampoules, and serums they use for their specific skincare needs. Specifically targeted for problem areas like breakout-prone skin or fine lines, these treatments might include products with AHAs and BHAs, and much more, and they can be used every day. Start out using them once a week to make sure you don’t have any irritation afterwards!
7. Sheet Masks
You probably already know how trendy these are, but these cute little masks are an essential step in the K-Beauty skincare routine? A weekly sheet mask will help provide extra hydration to your skin, which helps to create the dewy look. Plus, they come in all kinds of cute colors and patterns. Certain regimens might also include sleep masks, which work overnight.
8. Eye Cream
An eye cream will help keep the thin skin around your eyes hydrated, which will help with crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark circles. This skin is super delicate, so give her a little extra TLC.
9. Moisturizer
Chances are, a moisturizer is already part of your daily routine, and it will be even more effective after the previous eight steps! Make sure to apply moisturizer day and night for maximum effectiveness, so your skin can really suck up all that beautiful hydration.
10. Sun Protection
It’s important to put SPF on your face every morning, even if you don’t plan to go in the sun—yeah, we’re being serious. Sunscreen will help prevent skin cancer and wrinkles and keep your glass skin clear for years to come. Investing in our future skin now? We’re totally into it.
What Are the Benefits of K-Beauty?
Okay, so why you should switch your beauty and skincare products over to K-Beauty products? Well, babe, there are major benefits in incorporating K-Beauty into your routine.
Natural Products
Beauty and skincare products in the US are not strictly regulated and, as a result, often contain chemicals that are harmful to your skin and body. K-Beauty focuses on natural ingredients which might be better for you.
Recently, worldwide skincare and makeup companies have adopted more of a focus on natural, clean ingredients. As with many other beauty trends, this focus started in South Korea as part of the K-Beauty movement.
K-Beauty uses unique and innovative ingredients in its products, which are often later adopted by other companies once they see how effective they are. And, okay, the ingredients might look a little bizarre, but bee venom and snail mucin are incredibly effective! You might even find some ingredients that you’d also find in your kitchen, like honey and certain kinds of mushrooms.
Great Value
K-Beauty products are designed for the everyday consumer, so you can often get them at very reasonable prices. Because so many companies are developing these products, the competition for success also keeps costs down. South Korea believes that skincare and beauty products should be affordable.
You don’t have to break the bank to become a K-Beauty fanatic, so Kaja Kuties rejoice!
Less Need for Makeup
Playing with makeup is fun, but feeling like you have to wear makeup is… less so. Whether it’s covering up acne, under-eye bags, or skin discoloration, it can feel hard to leave the house without makeup.
Updating your skincare routine to a multi-step K-Beauty routine can help decrease your dependency on makeup. The detailed skincare steps and efficacious products can help improve your skin in the long run. That way, you can still be creative with your makeup whenever you want, but it’s because you want to—not because you have to.
Once your skin becomes healthier, you’ll be able to wear a much more minimal amount of makeup. Won’t it be more fun to perfect your cat-eye rather than your concealer technique?
How Can I Get Started With K-Beauty?
By this point, it’s pretty obvious that we love K-Beauty. You might be overwhelmed when thinking about adopting a new skincare routine, but it’s investing in your gorgeous skin really isn’t all that hard.
Look at Your Existing Routine
You are probably already incorporating a handful of the ten steps as part of your daily skincare routine. Plus, a bunch of the other steps are only done once a week, so it’s not too much.
Start small and add one or two products at a time. Perhaps add a toner and then, in a week or two, incorporate an exfoliator. Before you know it, you’ll have all ten steps added to your routine!
Make a List
Add a note to your bathroom mirror or your phone that lists the steps you need to take each day and night. This way, you won’t be tempted to skip any steps, even on a late night.
You can also add pictures or notes about products to your list! If you see exactly what to do, it’s less likely that you will forget a step.
Change Your Products
The next time your mascara or eyeliner runs out, consider replacing it with a K-Beauty brand. If you’re almost out of cleanser, look for some K-Beauty replacements.
Without changing your routine or makeup style, you’ll be able to incorporate more K-Beauty into your life. Over time, these small changes will add up to large changes, and that gorgeous glow will be within your reach.
Wrapping It Up
K-Beauty is hugely popular in beauty and skincare right now, and we’re all about it! That’s why we’re bringing all our Kaja Kuties the products they need to make the switch. Eventually, you’ll have the stunning glass skin that you’ve been dreaming of.
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