K-pop Idol Blush: Who Wears What, and How According To Make-Up Artists
Up your blush game with the help of K-Pop it girls and experienced makeup artists.
Igari, boyfriend blush, blush-touring- there are so many ways to wear blush thanks to TikTok beauty trends. Over in South Korea, blush is having its own renaissance too. For the rookie beauty enthusiast or newly initiated K-Pop fan, the world of K-Pop beauty itself is a whirlwind. So many K-Pop makeup looks have gone viral, like Wonyoung from Ive's dewy blush look, and Ningning from Aespa's flushed concert look. All this, and K-Beauty's recent ascent into the mainstream? Where does a K-beauty rookie even start?
This is where the experts come in. I asked three experienced make-up artists about six looks seen on K-Pop it-girls. They break down how to emulate these blushy looks, provide some tips and tricks, and the best products to achieve the looks.
Makeup Artists On K-Pop's Impact On Beauty Trends
Kenneth Chia, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with the likes of local stars like Saffron Sharpe, and international pop stars like Laufey, Got7's Yugyeom, and Coldplay, was admittedly late to the K-Wave phenomenon (he only got into it three years ago). However, he knows beauty and pop culture. Once he truly immersed himself in the world of K-Pop and its beauty trends, he was hooked.
"I’m fascinated by their endless techniques, I study it closely, do it often and have worked with a bunch of notable South Korean names in the last couple of years," he says, "The South Koreans just get it. They are incredibly modern in their approach to beauty. They know how to set a trend, they know how to position it in a way that resonates with a regional audience."
For 30-year-old makeup artist and beauty content creator Vivien Toh, K-Pop has been a part of her life since her teen years. “It’s been especially fun for me to see how K-pop beauty trends have evolved over the years,” she shares. “My love for K-pop has definitely influenced my own makeup style... As for my clients, there are a lot of them who ask for K-Pop or South Korean-inspired styles too, but I’d say that the final look would still depend on whether or not it would work best on their features.”
For 25-year-old Sarah Tan, a freelance hair and makeup artist, she keeps a close eye on South Korean beauty trends for inspiration despite not following K-Pop or K-media. “I’m influenced by South Korean beauty trends, most notably in the little details of how they work with and define our Asian features to make them pop,” she explains, "I also find myself incorporating the softness of the South Korean look in a lot of my commercial work as that is what aligns with our local tastes."
What's a rookie mistake that most people make when trying to emulate K-Pop idols' makeup looks?
Kenneth Chia (KC): "First, do not be in denial of Singapore’s weather. Take your time and make sure you apply in thin layers for longevity. Use a balm texture over a powder blush if you want glow and longevity for example.
Second, invest in your skincare, be intentional, and really disciplined. It will be the better half of the battle won. Up close, many K-pop idols and celebrities have amazing skin despite their hectic schedules. That's the key to nailing that effortless, lighthanded and aspirational feel to Korean makeup looks."
Vivien Toh (VT): "Going overboard with blush- blush blindness is real. K-Pop makeup looks are rather pink and blush-y in general, but it is still important to keep facial dimensions in mind when recreating them!"
Sarah Tan (ST): "Not shade matching! While a brightened complexion is a staple to many K-Pop looks, a lot of people do take it too far. Some use products that are way too light, and even in the wrong undertone, leading them to look ashy or just straight-up white with a mismatched neck.
To avoid this, think of it as enhancing your complexion rather than working against it. Figure out the undertones of your skin (whether it's yellow, pink, or olive) and learn to use colour theory to know what colours brighten your skin best. I personally like using a base shade as close to the natural skin first and then brightening the centre of the face (forehead nose under eyes and chin) with brightening powders, blushes, or luminisers."
Scroll on for a their breakdowns of iconic K-Pop looks from our favourite it-girls, and product recommendations from these talented make-up artists themselves.
Breaking Down Six K-Pop Beauty Looks
Chia breaks down Jennie from Blackpink's makeup look from her Ruby album's concept photos, and Karina from Aespa's makeup look at the SM Town Live 2025 concert in Los Angeles.
How would you emulate Jennie and Karina's looks?
KC: "Contact lenses are key to these looks. Placement is so specific to the person’s face shape, so there’s no one correct answer. Jennie’s look is lower on the cheek, and skin-like to mimic a natural flush. Karina’s is very stylised and diffused close to the eye. But it’s the soft definition in the brows, waterline, lips and more that balances both looks."
Blackpink Jennie's Look For Ruby:
What are the vibes for each look?
KC: “These looks are on opposite ends of the current K-beauty blush trend spectrum. Jennie’s look is a really modern, painterly and editorial take on blush. Karina’s look is closer to the current classic idol look. In my opinion, Aespa are one of the girl groups that really set the trends for female idol makeup.”
Aespa Karina's Undereye Blush Look:
What face shapes would these looks look good on?
KC: “Any face shape can tap into this trend - blush is trending globally and we’ve never had more references and styles to visually find our best match. Go explore, try all kinds of placements, do not be afraid. It’s just makeup. The faster you know what doesn’t work, the faster you’ll know what does.”
What products would you recommend to achieve these looks?
KC: “In my kit, I easily have 20-30 colours and textures of blush at any given moment. The key is choosing the right texture, for the right time. If you’re partying until 4am, use a powder blush. If you’re having a cute brunch, a glowy balm type.”
Tan breaks down Ningning from Aespa's look from the group's Synk: Parallel Line world tour in Seoul, and Rei from Ive's igari makeup look.
How would you emulate Ningning and Rei's looks?
ST: “Ningning’s look has a slight sultry aura to it. The eyes have a smokey finish to define it whilst still using light colours to keep in line with the signature K-Pop look. Start with a matte transitional shade one to two shades darker than your skin swept over the eyelids, a gel liner to extend the outer corners of the eyes, a darker brown shadow to lightly smoke the eyeliner out, and a light champagne shimmer on the inner corners to finish the look with some quintessential idol shine.
Don’t be afraid to lightly sweep some of the darker brown on the outer third of your lower lash line to amp up the definition and keep the intensity consistent with the top lid. Finished off with tousled undone waves and mesmerising grey contact lenses, and you have the signature effortless idol look that you can’t take your eyes off.”
Aespa Ningning's Sultry Flushed Look:
“Meanwhile, Rei’s look leans more to the cute side. As a topper to the blush, tiny rhinestones are added, emulating freckles with a twinkly finish. I recommend using lash glue and tweezers to attach the gems. Most people would put the glue onto the gems then paste it on the face, but I find it easier to dot the glue onto the spots you wish to place them, wait for the glue to get tacky, then apply the gems. Pair it with a simple wing liner that goes straight out (a style that flatters most Asian eye shapes), and long dolly lashes with a focus on the lower lash to amp up the cuteness.”
What are the vibes for each look?
ST: “Ningning’s look has a sultry vibe, while Rei's look is definitely a modern take on a sweet look. It’s cute yet there’s still some edge and attitude!”
Ive Rei's Igari Blush Look:
What face shapes would these looks look good on?
ST: “I’m not usually one to pigeonhole looks based on face shapes as I always believe in adapting the vibe you’re after according to your face! In terms of fashion, these looks are pretty versatile and I see them working on most people from sweet to sexy. There’s a nice touch of femininity in these styles for those who want to embody that.
The main focus here is the blush and once you get the placement right for you, it sets the perfect framework for the rest of the look. I like using a fluffy brush with a flat edge in a tapping motion to disperse the blush in a controlled manner, focusing on the centre of your cheeks and under your eyes rather than along the contours of your cheekbones. I would also recommend to hold off on doing your undereye concealer or highlighting until after this step, to maintain the brightness under the eyes without muddying with the blush.”
What products would you recommend to achieve these looks?
ST: "For blushes, I'd recommend any blush with a luminous finish, and texture it up based on your preference of cream, liquid or powder blush."
Toh breaks down Kazuha from Le Sserafim's floating blush look and Jang Wonyoung from Ive's dewy blush look.
How would you emulate Jang Wonyoung and Kazuha's looks?
VT: “For a sweet-but-sculpted look, blush placement can be focused on the centre of the face, like what we see in Wonyoung’s look. It’s important to pick lighter colours, so it brings attention to the centre of the face, while bringing the mid-face forward. Contour can be kept light and soft on the sides of the face to ensure dimensionality, especially in photos. To create more dimensions, highlighter can also be dusted lightly on the apples of the cheeks, and on the inner cheek area, nearer to the inner corners of the eyes (also what we see in Wonyoung’s look).”
Ive Jang Wonyoung's Dewy Blush Look:
What are the vibes for each look?
VT: “It’s interesting how Wonyoung and Kazuha seem to be wearing the same blush shade (baby pink, cool toned) while exuding different vibes. The placement for Wonyoung’s blush is closer to her eyes and topped off with highlighter (what we might recognise to be the undereye blush trend), while Kazuha’s blush is lower down her mid-face and kept completely matte (it seems similar to the boyfriend blush trend). Personally, I’d say the former look gives a vibe that is cuter and more youthful, while the latter exudes a cooler, natural vibe.”
Le Sserafim Kazuha's Boyfriend Blush Look:
What face shapes would these looks look good on?
VT: “I’d say that the undereye blush trend is quite universal and is often seen on K-Pop idols across different concepts (for example, Aespa’s edgy concept and IVE’s princessy concept. Meanwhile, boyfriend blush would look best for individuals who prefer to exude a cooler, natural vibe.”
What products would you recommend to achieve these looks?
VT: “For Wonyoung’s look: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Happy and Dior Forever Glow Luminizer in the shade Pink Halo. For Kazuha’s look: Dior Rosy Glow Blush in the shade 001 Pink.”
Recommended Blushes
Baume Essentiel highlighter balm stick in Dragee, $79, Chanel
Recommended by Chia, this highlighter is perfect for bringing out a natural radiance to any blush look. It's moisturising and lightweight, creating a subtle dewy effect. Apply it directly and blend it with your fingers, or use a fluffy highlighter blush.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates powder and blush palette in Flawless Pink, $90, www.sephora.com
Recommended by Chia, this blush palette from Charlotte Tilbury's viral Pillow Talk series is one of his recommendations for long-lasting blush. With a matte finish, this blush and finishing powder duo serves both pigment and a flawless airbrush look.
Haus Labs Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Hibiscus, $55, www.sephora.com
Recommended by Chia, this shade from Haus Lab's blush balm stick is skincare and beauty in one product. Now available in Singapore's Sephora stores, this blush is made with more than 70 per cent skincare ingredients. The result: a hydrating and long-wearing blush stick with a glassy finish. Perfect for a cute brunch look, according to Chia.
Colorpiece Blush in Airy Biege, $32.50, JungSaemMool
Jung Saem Mool is a South Korean makeup artist who has helped shape K-Beauty into what we know today. Recommended by Chia, this dark peach blush is perfect for Jennie's look. It gives that healthy ruddiness for that editorial-like blush look.
Dior Backstage Rosy Glow in 001 Pink, $69, Dior
Recommended by Toh for Kazuha's boyfriend blush, is this rosy pink shade from Dior's Dior Backstage beauty line. This blush isn't just buildable and long-wearing, but it's also pH-activated, making it a 'custom' colour for its wearer. It's perfect for a feminine and rosy look, just check out Blackpink's Jisoo rocking this exact shade in Dior's Dior Forever campaign.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Happy, $44, Sephora
Recommended by Toh for Jang Wonyoung's look, this is a cool-toned baby pink that serves as the blush's base. With a cream-to-powder formulation, it gives both pigment and blur with a matte finish. The best part is that it's water- and sweat-proof so it won't transfer or smudge throughout the day.
Forever Glow Luminizer highlighter in Pink Halo, $98, Dior
Recommended by Toh for Jang Wonyoung's look, top off your first layer of pink with a soft and dewy highlighter for her trademark glow. Dior Forever highlighters are all about strobe-like reflection, making your full beat luminous from every angle with pearlescent micro-pigments and pigment-in-gel texture. It even contains hyaluronic acid, keeping your skin hydrated.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder finishing powder, $92, www.sephora.com
Recommended by Tan, Hourglass' finishing powders serve as the perfect blush toppers for a "softly lit finish." It's infused with Photoluminescent Technology, which basically means that it contains microscopic particles that colour-correct and refract light. The effect is a filter-like finish that softens your skin’s appearance.
Double Take creme and powder blush, $50, www.patrickta.com
Recommended by Tan, this TikTok-viral cream and powder blush palette is great for "bringing shine back to the skin." Simply layer the cream blush on top of the powder blush for that naturally glowy finish. It's long-wearing, non-comedogenic (which basically means it won't cause break outs), and it's even cruelty-free.
Afterglow liquid blush, $55, www.narscosmetics.com
Recommended by Tan is another TikTok-viral blush. Nars' liquid blush (best known in the shade Orgasm) is lightweight and buildable. It's perfect for achieving that radiant glow, and even has some great skincare ingredients. It's infused with sodium hyaluronate for hydration of up to eight hours, and vegan protein for healthy skin.
Soft Pop blush stick, $55, www.makeupbymario.com
Recommended by Tan, this cream blush stick from Makeup By Mario is silky and natural-looking. It's cruelty-free and vegan, and even comes with a removable brush for a soft and effortless application.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand highlighter, $66, www.sephora.com
Recommended by Tan, Charlotte Tilbury's liquid highlighter is perfect for that K-idol on-stage glow. Specifically formulated to recreate that flawless filter look IRL, this highlighter adds a soft and seamless shimmer to your blush.
Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Wattabrat, $69, www.fentybeauty.com
Recommended by Tan, this muted pink highlighter from Fenty Beauty is another great blush topper. It "acts as a pretty pink-toned topper with dispersed glitters that catch light nicely." It's a lightweight highlighter with a longwear cream-powder hybrid that's also buildable! So you can go for a light natural glow, or an eye-blinding shine.