12 Best Korean Makeup Products Our Editors Can't Get Enough Of

19.03.2026, 12:42 allure.com

As someone who has been obsessed with Korean skin care for a decade, I’m here to tell you: The best Korean makeup rivals anything you can find stateside. And, no, it's not limited to lip tints (even though they are some of the best out there, K-beauty or otherwise). For example, Korean blushes are quickly claiming top spots in my rotation, along with shimmery eye shadows and glitter liners that add just the right amount of everyday sparkle.

As with skin care, Korean makeup products are often formulated with hydrating ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid, mango seed butter, and more) for a healthy, lit-from-within glow. K-beauty puts emphasis on lightweight, softly-blurring textures and sheer, buildable coverage that lets your natural skin peek through, instead of completely masking it.

Interest piqued? Along with sharing my top recs from a rapidly growing collection, I tapped my fellow Allure editors to share their favorite Korean beauty products. Think viral hits like Laneige and TirTir, industry staples like Jung Saem Mool and Clio, and indie darlings like AOU. Consider it your insider look at the Korean makeup trending in Seoul right now—and a little inspiration for your next look.

Rom&nd

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: If you haven’t tried a Korean lip tint yet and love a glossy, high-shine finish, let this be your sign to pick up Rom&nd’s Juicy Lasting Tint. (You may’ve seen them pop up on your TikTok FYP if you’re on BeautyTok.) Every shade is inspired by a fruit, such as Jujube, Bare Grape, and Papaya Jam, and the formulas smell as good as they sound. The lightweight, barely-there formula dries pretty quickly, and there’s absolutely no sticky finish. You still get enough playtime to blur the edges for that soft, popsicle-stain effect, too. One swipe gives you plenty of coverage, but it layers beautifully—two coats, in our experience, give you that sweet spot of maximum color payoff without tipping into gloopy.

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Rom&nd The Juicy Lasting Tint in Plum Coke

Han after applying the Rom&ndThe Juicy Lasting Tint in Plum Coke

As you can probably guess by now, most Korean lip tints are infused with skin-care ingredients that lend that plump, fine-line-blurring effect. Key players include hyaluronic acid (or derivatives such as sodium hyaluronate, featured in this Rom&nd) and fruit-derived oils. While it might not be the most long-lasting lip tint we’ve ever tried, it leaves behind a pretty stain as it wears down—and we clearly don’t mind reapplying every few hours. The hype is well-deserved and Allure-approved.

Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint

Cruel after applying the Romn&d Juicy Lasting Tint

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

“This is my most-worn lip tint by far, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. The finish is perfectly balanced: dewy but not too dewy. It's also so lightweight, even after two layers. The color range also hits, whether I'm in the mood for a pinky, MLBB moment, or a deep berry that pops against my light skin.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

"I wholeheartedly believe that no one does lip stains better than Korea. When I travel to Seoul, I do a haul in Olive & Young. This one has been a favorite. I love a red lip and this is a subtle stain that lasts through multiple meetings. You can build the watery texture from just bitten flush to a deeper red. It dries down to feel like absolutely nothing on the lips." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

More to know

Peripera

Amazon

Olive Young

Han applying the Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint

Why we love it: Affordability is one of K-beauty’s biggest draws, and at just $10, Peripera still manages to land impressively on the lower end of the spectrum. The Ink Velvet Lip Tint not only picked up an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2024, but it’s just as popular in South Korea. "The love for this lip tint begins in the teenage years,” Allure Korea digital editor Song Yein shared. “Most young girls keep it stocked in their cosmetic pouches, and the appeal doesn’t fade. It’s a mega hit in Korea, beloved for its staying power and smooth, velvety finish." The color range is extensive—ranging from light peachy nudes to rich-berry fuchsias—and the whipped, mousse-like texture gives your lips a soft-focus, blurred look that lasts for hours on end.

Han before applying the Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint

Han after applying the Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint

Tester feedback from Han

“I reach for glossy tints most days, but Peripera's Ink The Velvet Lip Tint has been one of my favorite matte, soft-blurred formulas for so many years, and it's an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner–the ultimate flex. The applicator holds a lot of product and the triangular tip is perfect for lining my outer corners and defining the Cupid's bow. I like to go pretty hard with the shading, but you can concentrate your application on the middle of the lips and blur out the edges with your finger for a subtle gradient effect.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

Hera

Amazon

Olive Young

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Hera Sensual Nude Gloss

Why we love it: Kiss those sticky glosses in your makeup storage collecting dust goodbye, because Hera’s Sensual Nude Gloss—which frequently tops Hwahae’s lip gloss ranking, including at the time of writing—is going to replace them all. (If you’re not familiar, Hwahae is basically Korea’s go-to beauty app, where real users rate and review products.) Hera sits in that luxury K-beauty lane, but compared to Western brands, the price point feels surprisingly reasonable (K-beauty for the win, once again!) The shade curation is tighter than other lip products, but it does capture the essence of MLBB (my lips but better). So, if you’re the type of person who loves a subtle lip color—that’s also very moisturizing and barrier-friendly—this one’s for you. And if you like a little insider detail: Felix (of Stray Kids) is the brand’s ambassador, and his pick is #415 Brownie Boy.

Lee before applying the Hera Sensual Nude Gloss

Lee after applying the Hera Sensual Nude Gloss

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

“I’m not really a lip girl, but when I do wear one, I always go for a gloss. The lightweight formula is so comfortable I almost forget I’m wearing it, and the menthol gives this refreshing, cooling sensation that feels invigorating. Plus, all the shades are super wearable, making it easy to swipe and go.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

Jung Saem Mool

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Han applying the Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Why we love it: Since launching her career in 1991, Jung Saem Mool has become—and remains— one of Korea’s most iconic celebrity makeup artists. (Fun fact: She’s widely credited with popularizing the whole “glass skin” phenomenon.) In 2015, she introduced her namesake brand, and her hero product, the Essential Skin Nuder Cushion, has been topping Olive Young charts and picking up awards year after year.

It’s all about creating an effortless, lit-from-within glow—like you’ve gotten eight hours of sleep, worked out, and drank six glasses of water. As the brand expands globally, the shade range has grown to 30, with more on the way. What’s particularly special about the packaging is that there’s a textured “mix and touch” area tucked under the lid that lets you sheer out the product before it hits your sponge, which means no accidental over-application. The key is to start with less and build up as needed for the most natural finish.

Han before applying the Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Han after applying the Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Tester feedback from Han

“This was the first very cushion foundation I ever tried when I first visited South Korea in 2018, but honestly, the habit of applying cushion foundation never stuck with me once I returned home. That, and I found most shade ranges to be too light—even though I’m pretty close to Korea’s demographics as a Chinese woman! (Pale skin is considered a beauty standard in eastern Asia, and that’s never been my vibe, personally.) Someone on Jung Saem Mool’s team actually shade-matched me and I’m obsessed with the match. (I’m wearing 22C Petal Light, which is shocking, because I always go for neutral undertones.) It really meshes with my natural tone (I really don’t like going brighter or darker)—and while I can tell that I have something on, it doesn’t feel like I have anything on at all.

If I’ve learned anything about cushion foundation, it’s all about sheer layers and building up, and also taking the time to pat the foundation in for a super seamless finish. Because I’m really pressing the formula into my skin, wearing a very lightweight sunscreen (usually a Korean sunscreen…surprise!) underneath is important to avoid pilling. Not only are cushion foundations compact and easy for on-the-go touchups, but I don’t need any other tools or the back of my hand (where I apply skin tints or foundations first to warm up with my fingers). Big wins! I’m officially back on the cushion foundation hype train.

P.S. The blue casing I have isn’t the original one it comes in—I just popped the compact into the blue one (which I was also gifted) because I loved the color. Yet another fun element of K-beauty products!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

Clio

Amazon

Olive Young

Lee applying Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion The Original

Why we love it: Newsflash: Just because you have combination or oily skin, doesn’t mean you have to skip the glow. Clio’s Kill Cover Founwear Mesh Glow Cushion strikes that in-between balance, giving skin a fresh, healthy radiance while still keeping excess shine in check. The formula is impressively airy, with a hit of skin-care benefits (hi, niacinamide) baked in. And the packaging isn’t just for looks.