Hello, fellow members~ I am makeup artist Vincent, who knows a little bit about beauty. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to study at a makeup school in New York through the 'Hyecho Program'. I'd like to share with you a bit about the difference between makeup in Korea and in America based on my experience then.

I once saw a video of a foreign makeup artist applying Western style (American) makeup on Korean women and watching them react on a popular YouTube channel (Solfa). Why do Korean women think the so-called North American style makeup is 'too much'?

To a makeup expert, there are various elements in makeup such as texture, color, and coverage, and you can create many different looks depending on how you combine these elements. However, for ordinary women, any makeup that makes you look beautiful is enough. You don't need many different looks. Maybe that's why a 'natural look', which naturally brightens the beauty you have and is less influenced by popular trend, is gaining popularity across the world.

But!!! We might use the same term 'natural look' in both Korea and America, but they pursue different images. Let's take a deeper look into the differences.

In short, natural makeup in the US is a much 'stronger image' than what Koreans expect. In Korea, it refers to 'no makeup' kind of makeup, while in the US it refers to makeup that 'enhances the features a bit more'.

Korean women prefer coral and pink colors in makeup. The image these colors give is, in short, 'natural liveliness', and it's about giving a brighter feel to the natural tone. On the other hand, American women prefer a more 'enhanced look' centered around contouring using brown colors on the face overall rather than using different colors.

Now, I'll offer an in-depth analysis of specific details based on natural makeup photoshoots I've done in Korea and the US.

✔ Base : There's a definite difference in the choice of color, texture, and coverage. Korean women prefer a light base that is same to the natural skin tone or half a tone brighter, giving a glow while covering up little blemishes and imperfections. On the other hand, toned down colors and matte texture with high coverage is popular in America where there is a culture of tanning.

✔ Contour : Overall, contouring in American makeup is deeper and stronger than in Korean makeup, and the biggest difference is the expression of the jawline. Korean makeup enhances the V line, while American makeup enhances the L line along the side of the jaw. V line refers to slimming down the jaw to make it look slender, while the L line refers to further enhancing the strong jawline.

✔ Eye : Unlike Korean eye makeup, which uses a warm tone, coral beige, shadow on the eyelids and fills in the eyelashes, American eye makeup expresses a transition from top to bottom part around the eye socket. Korean makeup focuses on expressing a calm feeling so that the eyes don't look puffy, while American makeup brightens around the eyes, creating a contrast to the eye socket. These expressions are a way to cover what each lack that comes from a difference in the shape of faces between Asians and Westerners.

✔ Eyebrow : Unlike Korean makeup, which enhances the natural texture and fills in the eyebrows, American women seem to define the shape of the eyebrow depending on the size of the eye socket. It seems that drawing in the arch in the eyebrows is, of course to give a cool look, but also to offset the relatively narrow space between the eyes compared to Asians. American eyebrow colors are also darker than the colors Korean women generally choose and lightening along the brow ridge is a must.

✔ Blush : Women in both countries use various colors for blush products, but the key areas they apply blush are different. Korean women apply blush on the frontal area of both cheeks, giving a loving look, while American women, most of the time, use the blush as an extension of contouring applying it diagonally.

✔ Lips : Korean women apply lip makeup to cover up dark lips and create a lively look, while American women apply lip makeup to make pale lips calm and enhanced. The reason why Korea's MLBB colors are not new in the US is because MLBB colors have already been loved for a long time in America.

Actually, in the US, there are makeup styles similar to what is called natural makeup in Korea, which are called 'pure' or 'clean' makeup. These styles look like having applied no makeup and has not gained popularity in the US. However, this year we expect to see more 'clean natural' makeup influenced by the trend of veganism and clean beauty.

I have shared with you the difference in natural makeup between Korea and the US based on my experience. I hope this helps you understand more about the difference in makeup in Korea, where there is a focus on giving a warm impression, and in the US, where there is a focus on enhancing the features and giving a cool look. I'll see you in my next column for more on makeup.