Search for a shade of eyeliner as close to your skin tone as possible, then accentuate it with highlighter or glitter. For the highlight portion, Lee loves the Unleashia Glitterpedia Eye Palette No. 1. “The glitter payoff is next level,” she says. “I find that I get the best application with a clean finger — or a flat brush can also work.”
What are the popular Korean hair trends this year?
Korean hair trends move ever so slightly slower than skincare and makeup, with an emphasis on flattering individual features. “The most popular hairstyle in Korea these days is contouring cut face framing,” says Louis, hairstylist and founder of Luvoir Salon in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam neighbourhood. “It’s a style customised to suit each person’s face shape, often with side bangs to flatter your face whether you tie your hair up or leave it down.”
I visit the in-demand Louis for my annual contour cuts and love how his shaping technique perfectly flatters my face.
To give your contour cut a glossy finish, upgrade your Korean haircare routine with the Mise En Scéne Perfect Serum Original. The brand’s original orange hair serum is a household name in South Korea and can be found in every Olive Young and supermarket in Seoul. It smells like tropical, warm florals and leaves my hair looking smooth as glass. Despite its deeply nourishing formula, it sinks in fast and won’t leave any greasy residue behind.
You’ve probably seen Seoul’s head spas all over TikTok. Appointments begin with an up-close scalp scan and segue neatly into an 18-step scalp treatment made for social media. For a version you can actually fit into your daily schedule, I recommend simply adding one or two trending Korean scalp care products to your routine. Kim says this is set to be one of the biggest hair trends of the year.
“Haircare is embracing Korean skincare’s signature ingredient-first philosophy,” she says. “Rather than focusing solely on styling, consumers are prioritising scalp health, treating it as an extension of skincare. High-performance ampoules and serum-type treatments are gaining traction as everyday essentials.”
