A Beginner’s Guide To Korean Skincare Terms
The Koreans invented the 10 step skincare routine, and many other beauty terms along with it, and you get to be in the know.
By Kely Im -
So you’ve mastered the straight eyebrows, poreless skin, and now you’re ready for the next stage in your K-beauty life. It’s time to learn the language. There’s no surprise that in the land of glass-skinned unnis and oppas, there’s a term for everything beauty-related.
While you could diligently watch several K-dramas and madly transcribe every conversation the characters have about skincare secrets, that would be too much effort and who wants to think about vocabulary when they’re watching Park Bo Gum? Don’t worry, we’ve done the work and collected 14 essential words to talk like a K-beauty queen.
If you’ve got a sharp chin with a slim jawline, you’ve got a V-line. The V-line is associated with a youthful look and can be seen on many a K-pop or Hallyu star including actor Hyun Bin or singer Yoona.
In Korean, a sheet mask is a ‘pack’, and the concept of using 1 sheet per day became wildly popular several years ago and is now a mainstay in the Korean skincare routine.
Can a few strands of hair make you look instantly Korean? The see-through bangs suggest yes. It’s rare in Seoul to see a heavy blunt fringe since most girls go for a wispy (see-through) one instead as it’s considered a softer, more flattering look.
Much like the dreaded yo-yo dieting, this describes the ups and downs your skin can experience.
This word single-handedly proves Koreans are more into skincare than the rest of the world. Combining three words: subun (moisture) bujok (lacking) and jisung (oily), this refers to skin that’s oily but lacking hydration.
One of the most often used words in K-beauty, tone-up refers to a brighter skin tone, so a CC cream may give you a ‘tone up’ effect.
This is pancake makeup. Quite the opposite of that natural, no makeup look Koreans love.
A combination of the words ‘work’ and ‘cosmetic’, it refers to the cosmetics you keep at your work desk usually for a touch-up or to transition to after-work drinks.