Korean beauty, often called K-beauty, refers to beauty products and routines originating in South Korea. The category spans skincare, makeup, and hair care, emphasizing varied textures, layered routines, and distinctive product formats.
Common Korean skincare categories include cleansing oils, cleansing balms, toners, essences, serums, emulsions, moisturizers, and sheet masks. Textures range from watery liquids and lightweight gels to rich creams.
An essence typically has a thin, watery texture, while a serum can have a fluid, gel-like, or creamy consistency. Both commonly appear between the toner and moisturizer steps in a Korean skincare routine.
Korean makeup is often characterized by dewy-looking finishes, softly defined eyes, gradient lips, and subtle blush. Lip tints, cushion foundations, and sheer-to-buildable cheek colors are common product formats.
No. The 10-step routine is one approach, not a requirement. A Korean-inspired routine can be simple or elaborate, depending on your preferences, using categories such as cleanser, toner, essence, serum, and moisturizer.