The teen’s guide to must-have Korean beauty products

CC and BB creams have been kicking it in mainstream circle since BC (before contouring), and unless you’ve been living under a rock (or larger-than-life-size beauty blender) for the last few months you’ll be across the fact that Korean products in general are kind of a big deal. From sheet masks, to two-tone lips, in 2016, no beginner’s K-beauty kit is complete without the following.

What you need: Eyeliner pen

Why: Next-gen K-liner styles are all about inverting long-standing trends and mixing things (or wings) up. Lucky for us, Korean beauty ’grammers (follow @sokoglam and @fashionista804 immediately) are all about experimenting with the forever-trending cat eye, and we’ve been double-tapping like crazy on doll eyes - a cat-eye minus the flick), and puppy liner (wings that flick down). Make friends with a thick, black felt tip liner or seriously sharp pencil.

Try: 3CE Super Slim Pen Eyeliner

What you need: Good-for-you-coverage

Why: When it comes down to Korean beauty goals, dewy skin and a barely-there, natural finish is the ultimate, which is why foundations that double as moisturisers are the Luke Hemmings of the coverage world (read: best). You’ve probably already made friends with BB and CC creams (amazing, right?), but there are a ton of heavier foundations out there that re-wet the skin as well as cover. Look for anything that promises a ‘dewy glow’, to ‘even out the skin tone’ or ‘hydrate’.

Try: Touch in Sol Flawless Skin Top Coat

What you need: Sheet masks

Why: Conceived in Korea, the idea of a single-use cloth that acts as a 10-step skin care routine is practically Netflix (a.k.a genius). Not only will you save time skipping the whole cleansing, toning, moisturising thing, but popping one on your face 10 minutes before you head out will help you achieve that hydrated, dewy skin that K-beauty devotees heart so much.

Try: Dr. Jart Mask Waterjet Soothing Hydra Solution Masks

What you need: A two-toned lipstick

Why: Gradient lips are like ombré for your pout – the brighter shade is applied heavily in the middle and is gradually faded out to the lighter shade on the edges. Blend it out with your fingers to get that effortlessly cool, lip-stained vibe.

Try: Laneige Two Tone Lip Bar in Magenta Muse