- Since moving to Korea from the US three years ago, my beauty regimen has changed dramatically.
- Koreans value a fresh look, so I forgo heavy foundation and heavy eye makeup.
- I value multi-step skin care and invest in professional beauty treatments.
As an American who moved to South Korea three years ago, I can tell you that living in the land of K-beauty has drastically changed my makeup and skincare habits.
K-beauty is a term used to describe a skin care routine that uses Korean-made products to highlight hydrated, glowing skin.
I found out that many Koreans value a different beauty aesthetic than Americans, and ever since then I’ve become a fan of K-beauty.
Here are six ways my beauty routine has changed since coming to Korea.
Protects white skin from the sun every day
I have very fair skin, so when I was in America I would often spend hours in the sun to get that golden glow.
However, I have noticed that in South Korea, people tend to try harder to protect themselves from the sun.
Sunscreen, long sleeves, hats, parasols, and anti-UV face patches are common here. Now I wear sunscreen every day, no matter the season or weather.
In summer, people wear hats and carry parasols.
I learned the importance of double face washing.
Double cleansing, where you wash your face with an oil-based product followed by a water-based product, is an essential step in any Korean skin care routine.
In America, I hardly washed my face, let alone double cleansed.
After living in Korea, I realized that I shouldn’t be afraid of oil cleansers.
Since adopting the double cleansing method, I’ve found that oil and foam cleansers remove product more effectively than makeup remover.
My skin is glowing and I don’t break out as often as before.
Thanks to more affordable beauty clinics in Koreainvesting in specialized treatment
South Korea is one of the beauty capitals of the world, and from what I’ve seen, cutting-edge treatments are much cheaper than what I could receive in the United States.
Thanks to the accessible and affordable treatments here, I’ve invested in taking care of my skin and hair health from the inside out.
The treatments here, including facials, vitamin injections, and scalp scaling, always seem to leave my skin and hair glowing.
I am now embracing a youthful and fresh makeup look.
Koreans seem to place more emphasis on natural and youthful makeup than heavy makeup.
For example, I once wore black liquid liner and mascara in Korea, and people asked me why I was wearing false eyelashes. This gave me an opportunity to reevaluate the way I apply makeup.
Right now I’m using a natural brown mascara and eye pencil.
Cushion compacts, glittery eyeshadow, and gradient lip tints have replaced my old foundation, dark eyeshadow, and bold lipstick.
My makeup has become brighter in both application and color, allowing my natural features to shine.
Know more about your skin color and undertone
Personal color, which involves the process of analyzing which colors look best on you, is very popular in South Korea.
Many stores label makeup as a “cool vest” or a “warm vest.”
I had a color analysis last year and it changed my life.
I used to stick to black, white, and beige, but learning about my coloring has allowed me to try new things, like lavender blush.
When I stay true to my color palette, my skin looks brighter and clearer.
Have a multi-step skin care routine
The Korean 10-step skin care routine is pretty famous in the US, and while I’m not quite there yet, I’m getting there.
My daily routine in America consisted of St. Ives face wash, Pond cold cream, and probably sunscreen.
Currently, I use multiple steps to cleanse, tone, treat, and moisturize my skin. Products such as essences, ampoules, and sheet masks can help you achieve glowing, hydrated skin.
My new routine also gives me time to get ready for the day and relax before bed.