How Is Makeup in Korean Dramas Different from Japanese Makeup?

Broadly speaking, compared with makeup in Japanese dramas, it often seems to prioritize an even-looking complexion and an overall softness rather than “emphasizing individual features.” Korean dramas vary a lot depending on the character and era, too, but what stands out is a dewy-looking complexion, with the edges of the brows, eyes, and lips softly blended. In Japanese dramas, depending on the production, the contours of the eyes may be made more defined with lashes or eyeliner.

If you want to try the look, start by moisturizing, then apply a thin layer of base makeup, and use powder only on areas that tend to get shiny. Avoid filling in the inner ends of your brows too darkly, and shape them so they stay fairly straight through the tails to keep them from looking overdone. For gradient lips, just place color on the inner part of your lips and blend the edges with your finger or a brush to create the effect. For aegyo-sal, using a thin, subtle shadow rather than applying a wide area of a light color makes it easier to wear every day.