Japan Vs. Korea: The Difference Between Makeup Trends

When you compare Korean makeup style with modern Western techniques, it's easy to notice differences. But when you pay close attention, you can see small changes between Korean and Japanese makeup styles. While the variations are subtler, these differences make a profound impact.

Korean and Japanese makeup techniques have many similarities. For instance, both have the same purpose: to create a natural, youthful makeup look. East Asian beauty experts agree that you should apply makeup to give the skin a soft and brighter look.

If you want to discover how Japanese women wear their makeup instead of Korean ladies, keep reading.

Colours

One of the significant differences between Korean and Japanese makeup styles is colours trends. In Korea, orange, red, pink, gold, and brown are amongst their favorite fashion choices. In comparison, Japanese women prefer beige, pink coral, and coral orange.

Foundation

In J-beauty, women prefer a matte base as they want a more natural look. Contrary, K-beauty is all about making their skin look more plump and hydrated.

Beauty experts recommend using a powder foundation such as MISSHA Magic Cushion Cover Lasting if you want a more matte look. The MISSHA Magic Cushion Cover Lasting gives your skin perfect coverage with sun protection. It controls sweat and sebum for hours while maintaining skin moisture levels.

Try ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Foundation for a more luminous finish. ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Foundation features a unique K-beauty formula to give a double layer effect in a single application. It gives you a plump appearance and a beautiful, radiant glow.

Eyebrows

Eyebrows are crucial for both Korean and Japanese makeup styles. But, even though both types prefer to create a youthful look, the shape and cosmetics differentiate one from the other.

In Japan, women shape their eyebrows by following their natural arch. Usually, they use eyebrow powder to generate a soft and natural appearance. K-beauty prefers straight brow shape and uses eyebrow pencils for filling them in.

The ETUDE HOUSE Drawing Eye Brow New is perfect for defining eyebrows that frame your face. It comes in six different colours, and we recommend choosing a lighter shade from your hair colour if you want a natural look.

Lips

Lip cosmetics also differ from country to country. Korean women are obsessed with using bright reds for a bold look. One of their favorite ones is RD303 from ETUDE HOUSE Matte Chic Lip Lacquer. The ETUDE HOUSE Matte Chic Lip Lacquer is a non-transferable, long-lasting, and smudge-proof liquid lipstick with oil that locks it in while moisturising.

J-beauty style is more girlish as they prefer more subtle lips. An excellent option is Pink Valley from ROMAND Glasting Water Tint. The ROMAND Glasting Water Tint brilliantly shines lips with a soft, glassy touch. This lip tint comes in eight different colours to match your preferred style.

Blush

Even though blush colours are similar in both countries, it's in the application where you can notice a difference. In Japan, women usually wear blush under the eyes as they want their face to look more innocent. Conversely, Korean women prefer applying blush right on the cheekbone or a little bit lower.

One of our favorite blushers for either style is A'PIEU Juicy-Pang Water Blusher. The A'PIEU Juicy-Pang Water Blusher is a highly pigmented liquid blusher that creates an easy-to-blend experience for everyone. It comes in twelve fruity colour choices giving a natural flush to your cheeks.

Eyeshadows

The J-beauty technique usually applies most of the colour on the eyelids for an eye-opening effect. At the same time, Korean women prefer to highlight the area underneath the eyes for a more youthful look.

Most Japanese women love brown eyeshadow palettes such as ETUDE HOUSE Play Color Eyes Bake House.

The ETUDE HOUSE Play Color Eyes Bake House explores soft, neutral, and warming tones like bagels, brownies, and almonds. This palette includes glitter, shimmers, and matte shades.

In Korea, women go for subtle shades like coral and pink with glittery eyeshadows. An excellent option is Oriental Pink from MISSHA Triple Shadow. The MISSHA Triple Shadow is a compact eyeshadow with three complementary shades for achieving a natural gradient.

Even though Japanese and Korean makeup techniques are similar, as both want to create youthful looks, the method is slightly different when you look closer. Fortunately, it's possible to use Japanese products to achieve Korean trends and vice versa.