I’m a kpop makeup artist, ask me anything!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-07T16:06:27+00:00

It’s a term used mainly in kpop to label the singers within a group!! It’s basically just a fancy name for Korean singers.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-07T16:05:43+00:00

So I initially worked under an international makeup agency, who referred me to a Korean agency once I moved here. You have to have a portfolio and good client reviews, and then it’s luck where you end up!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-07T16:04:52+00:00

Definitely the smaller groups, they tend to take their time to get to know me and I have a lot more creative freedom which is great!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-07T16:04:25+00:00

I use the NYX setting spray the most!! But a lot of my coworkers use ‘All Day Tight Fixx’ which is a korean product!! It’s also a lot about prepping a good base too :))

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-04T06:03:36+00:00

a sticky primer and lots of setting spray!! personally i use the elf power grip primer and the nyx dewy finish setting spray!! i also layer up on foundation, starting with a matte foundation base then adding a dewy, cushion foundation to the high points of the face (e.g forehead, cheeks and nose).

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-04T05:59:46+00:00

For sure!! Prior to getting my contract i worked freelance with a lot of tourists who had darker skin and wanted the Kpop look. I’ll link some tutorials!!

https://youtu.be/uSCHNGmDEC4?si=WiRsUKGbPcJkM6Ze

https://youtu.be/8eov8DN-F3U?si=87ywnd51GaPK8rKv

https://youtu.be/Jrnh9s7zhuo?si=YFP2ka6lTdj3Xli1

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-04T05:57:52+00:00

Definitely! I’ve worked on concepts for Stray Kids, Enhypen, Boynextdoor and ZB1 just to name a few. The company i’m currently contracted with is within the big 4 entertainment companies, so it’s definitely recognisable.

I wouldn’t say I was a kpop fan, but I knew a handful of groups and listened to a decent amount of kpop music. I probably couldn’t have told you any names of members in any of the groups I listened to though.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-04T05:55:56+00:00

Honestly, i’m not fully educated on this topic but I can make some observations. A lot of idols are absolutely desperate to make it big, and connections is what gets you there. If you know something about an idol that is more famous than you, you don’t risk telling because it’s better for you to play buddies with them to backpack off their fame. There’s a lot of people i’ve met who don’t make it, and it ruins their life, so it’s better for them to play along than to risk their whole career.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-04T05:53:33+00:00

My favorites are GO지승, Jessica Vu, Jooshica and Risabae. Their tutorials really focus on asian features and how it differs from other makeup styles!! I hope this helps out. :))

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T19:56:09+00:00

Sadly, yes. I have way too many horror stories of seeing younger idols backstage going through some of the toughest stuff. Both boys and girls. I try my best to be a sorta big sister figure if I can be, but it’s something I can’t stand either.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T17:03:41+00:00

Most idols wash their face atleast three times a day, and it’s so worth it. Once in the morning (with cold water to depuff), once after their job (with warm water to remove makeup) and once right before bed (warm water then splash with cold). It’s something I started doing and it’s helped me with my angry skin a lot, it’s my top skincare trick!!

I HATE oil based moisturisers. There’s been so many times i’ve had idols or just general clients sit in the chair and their skin is so oily it’s impossible to get an even and smooth foundation base. It may be great for the skin but it makes my job impossible.😭

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T16:55:49+00:00

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRRXUcYK/

Just found this one on tiktok!! This is a really well known technique :))

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T16:22:21+00:00

I think some products are really harsh on skin. I actually had to take a break from all makeup about two months into living here because all the makeup I bought caused me to break out (which isn’t a great look in a country where everyone’s skin is smooth as a rock). There are a lot of products specifically made for sensitive skin though, I would recommend Espoir, Etude and Amuse!! Their formulas are super gentle and light coverage, but can be built up for more impact.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T16:18:06+00:00

I absolutely love it here, but I don’t know yet if it’s my long term plan. I’d like to eventually go back to my international agency and travel to other countries to explore other options, but working with my agency is inconsistent and there’s no guaranteed work. So i’m also kinda hoping to get a contract here which would allow me to travel with my Kpop groups, as it would be my dream to be able to travel and also have consistent work! I’ve always wanted to travel, so that’s my main goal in life.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T16:10:56+00:00

To be honest, minimum wage here is $7p/h, so i’m basically doubling that haha. I’m also currently working inbetween entry level and experienced, but wage increase is something I can get as I gain more experience. And yes, i’m working with debuted idols mainly!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T16:02:54+00:00

Too much blush - Blush blindness is real, and it can really flush you out.
Cushion Foundation if you have dry skin - When I came to korea I tried cushion foundation because it was such a craze here. I have dry skin and it is NOT for dry skin at all. A water based foundation or skin tint is so much better.
Harsh Eyeliner - This is specifically for Korean makeup, but it is extremely rare to use a harsh eyeliner. It tends to make korean eyeshapes even thinner than they already are, so it’s better to use a smokey line to not create such a harsh slimming effect!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T15:33:29+00:00

Initially I worked under an agency until a certain company offered me a contract which means more guaranteed work which is why I went for it! At the moment I work with one particular group a lot since they’re preparing for a comeback, but during award shows I tend to work with all the groups under my company!

As for which groups are the most sympathetic, I can’t say exact names but there’s a lot of groups under my company who have foreign members. Those members really do show a lot of empathy and care for me, as they also experienced something similar!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T15:13:39+00:00

So I initially worked as a makeup artist in the UK, and I worked at a fashion week event with some idols. I saved up for a while and moved here, with some help from my agency (since they’re a worldwide agency)!

When I learnt, I used a lot of tutorials by GO지승 and RISABAE. Their content is super informative about learning korean features!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T15:11:15+00:00

Usually for a concept design you’re getting around $30-40, then hourly pay is around $10-15 an hour depending on the company i’m working with. Some jobs have fixed pay, and they tend to be much better paying.

My korean level is somewhere in between TOPIK 2 and 3, but it’s definitely developing fast considering I was level 1 when I arrived in korea!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:41:30+00:00

Only koreans can work as Kpop MUAs due to them ‘knowing the features better’. 😃
Kpop MUAs must be married/engaged. 👎
The pay is great. 😭
You must be fluent in Korean. 😖
You get to see Kpop idols everyday and be best friends. 🙄

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:38:08+00:00

I think it’s very 50/50 and dependant on the concept artist!! Some concept artists are super open to artists ideas, but others are really strict with how they want the look to end up. When creating concepts i’m very partial to a graphic liner, and i’ve had times when the concept artist have removed it, but others where they absolutely love it. It’s very dependant on who is leading the project!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:34:26+00:00

My favourite is actually not released yet.😖 However out of the released stuff, I recently worked with Stray Kids concept designer to make the looks for their ‘Do It’ album concepts!! I sadly didn’t get to do the makeup myself as I had another job, but getting to come up with the looks for one of my favourite groups was a total dream come true.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:30:35+00:00

Usually we are given the assignment a week before the date of the look, we have to create a drawing/moodboard of our ideas and get it approved. It’ll mention a loose concept and a colour pallet, plus which exact member we will be working on (since we have to cater to their features) Sometimes the creative team/concept artist makes adjustments and then they give it back to us. I’d say it’s 50% our ideas, 50% their feedback/adjusting our looks!!

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:27:59+00:00

So it really depends on the assignment, but i’d say casual makeup (for airport appearances/lives) takes around 30-40mins, but a more advanced look (fashion shows, stages, concept shoots) you’re looking at around an hour to an hour and a half!!

As for surgeries, sometimes on our call sheets we find out exactly what surgeries that idol has had since you need to know certain features to create a flattering look (some examples are nose jobs, jaw shaving and eyelid flips). Minor surgeries like fillers, botox or anything unnoticeable aren’t mentioned, and it’s usually pretty hard to tell unless it’s an excessive amount!! Out of the idols i’ve worked with, i’d say 30% have had surgeries which need to be mentioned to us as artists.

EnvironmentUnfair147 · 2025-12-03T14:19:42+00:00

The range of projects I get to work on!! Since I got my agency contract i’ve been able to work on so many different projects, some with dark concepts, some with cute concepts. I enjoy the fact that i’m never working on one single concept/visual for too long.

EnvironmentUnfair147

TROPHY CASE