The same holds true for men’s styling—it calls for more nuanced sensitivity. What might appear to be identical expressions actually conceal different stories and textures. Each time I discover a brand’s distinct vision of masculinity and the mood and narrative within it, I think of the diverse clients we’ll meet.

Men’s makeup is less about adding embellishment than refining facial lines and shadows to complete a silhouette. Subtle tonal adjustments and shading reveal the structure of the male face in a stable way, creating strength within a naturalness that feels inherent.

These days, as a Seoul-based makeup artist and global makeup trainer, I carry the constant weight of ‘education.’ I have to explain HERA, which represents Seoul beauty, to people who’ve never visited Korea. Since I might be the first Korean person they encounter, I’m mindful that my attitude, manner of speaking, and every action could represent Korea itself. That thought drives me to work more diligently and earnestly.

A book I recently read, Hongik Havruta, deeply resonated with me regarding Jewish educational methods. According to the book, despite comprising just 0.2% of the world’s population, Jewish people have claimed 22% of Nobel Prizes through ‘the power of questioning, debating, and listening.’ I first experienced the remarkable strength of both Jewish and Korean people ten years ago when I worked in downtown LA. The owners of countless fashion companies were Korean Americans, while Jewish individuals owned the buildings. I still vividly remember: Jewish ownership of prime real estate in the heart of the Fashion District, with Korean entrepreneurs building fashion businesses on that land. Their different approaches to resilience, coupled with similar passion, seemed to overlap in fascinating ways.

The author emphasizes a ‘perspective-taking debate method’ that combines Korea’s Hongik spirit with the Jewish Havruta educational approach. Another book, The Master Key to Business Success: The Art of Conversation and Persuasion, shares insights gained from 30 years in the insurance industry. Ultimately, sales is about moving people’s hearts, and what moves them isn’t information but a warm attitude and human approach.

The same holds true from a branding perspective. The book Planning That Works addresses content strategies for genuine brand-customer communication. It reinforces how platforms like YouTube, which we encounter daily at close range, connect brands and customers in remarkably natural and intimate ways. In the end, everything I do—applying makeup, meeting people, teaching, and conveying brand values—comes back to ‘listening.’ Reading someone’s face, reading their expressions, reading their words and heart—I’m learning again these days that this slight difference is what creates different outcomes.

1. Natural Glow and Radiance

The most striking feature of this season’s fashion show looks is the perfection of ‘sculptural skin’ that appears as though only skincare has been applied, despite being entirely made up. Rather than sparkle or overly staged shine, hydration-based transparent luminosity rises subtly from within, creating a radiant, bronzed texture. Shading that preserves natural contours and highlights rather than forcibly eliminating facial structure evokes a well-sculpted statue, while even the light flowing along the hair’s curves unifies the overall texture. The eyebrows are also impressive, groomed in their natural direction without excessive correction, respecting their shape and sculptural beauty. When layering skincare-infused glow foundation with hyaluronic acid, skin becomes increasingly clear with thin, creaseless adherence—perfectly embodying 2026 S/S’s key message: ‘Minimal Makeup, Maximum Skin.’ The subtle texture remaining on glowing skin rises as clear luminosity without color shift, creating radiant skin even without pearl.

To achieve makeup looks that reflect this trend, I recommend pairing HERA Reflection Skin Glow Foundation with Boosting Base UV Protector. Together, they deliver makeup longevity alongside an inner-glow skin expression for a more stable skin condition.

2. Shadow Dimension Like Under-Eye Liner

This season sees makeup’s supporting textures taking on heightened prominence. Echoing street trends in women’s fashion, eyewear has emerged as a powerful trend in men’s collections as well. Glasses function as a ‘key item’ that defines the overall impression of a look, completing an intellectual and urban mood grounded in minimalism.

Against cleanly groomed hair, frames in champagne gold and dark brown appear in retro square shapes, creating wearable, sophisticated styling. Square frames with softly beveled edges particularly reveal a masculine line while maintaining a restrained presence.

When wearing glasses, minimizing skin shine becomes crucial. Since light reflecting off lenses can amplify radiance to distracting levels, smooth, even-textured skin suits an intellectual image better than excessive shine. This minimalist sensibility further reinforces the subtlety of men’s makeup while creating a sharp, refined atmosphere.

This trend possesses versatility that works naturally with formal looks, like setup suits, as well as oversized cardigans or casual wear. In other words, the combination of eyewear and makeup has become a core element that brings structural refinement and sophistication to men’s styling as a whole.

3. Even Better with Color

This season’s defining men’s makeup technique is the ‘invisible eyeliner’—adding shadow between lashes without drawing lines, a refined detail that catches the eye. Instead of a pencil, extremely fine shadow application sharpens the eye shape without the sensation of having drawn liner, while the under-eye area is groomed to match the eye’s structure, forming a natural dimension. Low-saturation grayish browns and sand-colored matte textures complete ‘eyes that look like mine but sharper.’

Louis Vuitton, in particular, proposed a dandyism tinged with dawn light. While maintaining a sophisticated atmosphere overall, the collection stood out for its practical approach that prioritizes the wearer’s movement. Materials like silk and ultra-lightweight leather rest gently on the skin, ensuring comfort throughout the day. Though elegant in appearance, the pieces actually block wind while breathing with ease, harmonizing with the natural flow of daily movement.

As the saying goes, makeup is all about the details—even a subtle shading touch on the small area beneath the eyes dramatically transforms the entire face. Capturing the outline with depth that isn’t excessive naturally complements masculine facial structure, while shadow shading in place of eyeliner adds understated depth and refinement to the eyes.

I find particular joy in applying under-eye shadow. Small touches create a significant transformation. Under-eye makeup areas—including outer-corner definition and aegyo-sal—represent, in my view, the most subtly beautifying techniques for anyone, regardless of gender. While aegyo-sal makeup can be translated as Dolly Eye or Under Eye Makeup, the term ‘Aegyo-Sal Makeup’ is increasingly used in international K-beauty content and makeup tutorials.

4. Lips with a Touch More Color

This season brought more vibrancy to lips with a light layer of sheen. Unobtrusive shine paired with thinly adhered tint-style color created natural vitality. This aligns precisely with 2026 S/S men’s makeup trends: low shine, sheer base, and natural definition centered on subtle shading. After preparing the base with a hydrating treatment to add moisture, tint-formula lip color was applied evenly for clean pigment adhesion, allowing the subtle color to last.

The collection reflects Dolce & Gabbana’s distinctly Italian sensibility. Light, crisp cotton jacquard fabrics feature vertical stripe patterns in varying widths to emphasize their signature mood. Styling that layers jackets over pajama-mood shirts or employs bold color contrasts stands out. When tailored jackets are paired with ties, subtly visible stripes or polka dot patterns become natural focal points in the look. Adding glasses or hats enriches the range of styles.

A vibrant berry color was layered thinly on the lips to add natural pink tones, serving as the most vivid accent point in men’s makeup. The overall look centers on sophisticated neutral tones that emphasize the skin’s inherent texture and natural vitality.