25 Best Korean Makeup Brands Changing The Beauty Game
If you’re looking to venture out from your usual Western cosmetic brands, here are 25 of the best Korean makeup brands that should be on your radar!
South Korea is well known for many things, but it’s not just their technology and cult-favorite K-dramas that they excel in. Korea has been creating some of the best skincare and makeup products in the world for years now, and as you might expect, these brands are experiencing massive growth.
If you are looking to expand your makeup collection and improve your beauty routine, there is no better place than the South Korean market. With its long history of skincare and beauty products, this country has been at the forefront of innovation with high-quality cosmetics brands that have millions of loyal users around the world.
Korean makeup products are highly-sought after because they infuse skincare and makeup into one product, making sure that the products deliver hydration and other long-term benefits. In fact, many Korean skincare brands are rolling our their own makeup collections that also target skin issues.
Some skin-friendly ingredients that you might find in your makeup include snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, and more.
Whether you are looking for a Korean brand to expand your makeup collection or just want to try out some new products, we have compiled a list of the most popular Korean makeup brands, as well as a few up-and-coming cult favorite labels to check out.
The Best Korean Makeup Brands
1. Hera
Hera is a luxury beauty and makeup brand that aims to makeup you feel your best at all points of your beauty routine. The brand has been around since 1995, and has picked up multiple beauty awards along the years, both from Western and Korean awards.
At the moment, they have an ongoing partnership with Black Pink’s Jennie, who perfectly represents what the brand is about; beauty, simplicity, and sophistication.
The best place to buy Hera products is W Concept, but you can also find a great selection at Stylevana. We recommend trying their best-selling Silky Stay foundation, or their volumizing Sensual Spicy Nude Gloss if you’re after a lip product.
2. Kaja Beauty
Sephora’s first-ever brand created in collaboration with a Korean beauty brand, Kaja is a playful, fun-loving sister makeup line with a serious dedication to color. Each product is formulated to deliver on quality and performance, while also delivering bold color that’s easy and portable.
If you’re on the hunt for a new eye shadow palette that’s playful and gorgeous, we recommend the Eye Bento Bouncy Eye Shadow Trio – it’s a stacked eyeshadow trio that contains a matte powder, a shimmer powder, and a glitter powder.
3. Missha
Missha is a popular Korean skincare and makeup brand that was founded in 2000. Since then, Missha has grown to be one of the most well-known and popular beauty brands in South Korea.
Missha is known for its wide range of affordable yet high quality products. Their products include eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushes and foundations that come in an impressive range of shades. They also offer long lasting waterproof mascaras along with BB creams which are great for those with oily skin types.
One fun fact about the brand is that Missha was one of the first Korean beauty brands to introduce the now-iconic BB cream to the West. Over time, they have continued to innovate with their extensive collections.
The packaging of Missha’s products are simple and elegant, but the products themselves range from basic to high-end. Their skincare line offers a wide variety of products such as their cult favorite Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule, moisturizers and, even makeup remover wipes that are perfect for travel or everyday use.
4. Amorepacific
If you have the money to spend on your beauty regimen, Amorepacific is one of the best Korean brands that you can look out for. This is a South Korean cosmetics company that has been around for more than 70 years, and it has grown to be one of the most popular and trusted brands among women in Asia.
Their products are known for their high quality, and they have a wide range of skincare products as well as makeup items. We especially love their Color Control Cushion Foundation with SPF 50+, which has garnered over a thousand five star reviews from happy and satisfied customers.
Furthermore, Amorepacific actually has a ton of brands that sit under its wing, including Innisfree and Laneige – You could think of it as the L’Oreal of South Korea. The company is known for developing makeup that features natural ingredients that are native to Asia, for example: green tea.
5. Innisfree
Innisfree is another ultra-popular Korean cosmetics and skincare brand. It uses natural ingredients and aims to create products that are affordable and accessible to the masses. Their No Sebum Mineral Powder is a favorite among those dealing with oily skin, and the best part is that it retails for just under $8.
Innisfree is under Amorepacific’s impressive list of beauty brands, and it is one of the best-selling makeup brands in South Korea. The result is an extensive line of products that harness Jeju Island’s natural resources to help you achieve clear, smooth skin.
6. Etude House
Etude writes its own rules, setting trends and creating cult-favorite beauty products that are innovative, stylish, and fun – and they’re definitely one of the brands that have made an impact on the K-beauty trend.
With a brand philosophy that focuses on all aspects of the Korean beauty experience; unique packaging, playful product names, and an incredible selection of lip tints, Etude House is one of the most recognized beauty brands to have come out of South Korea.
Etude House has been on the market since 1985 and is famous for its affordable price points and innovative products that can be used by girls and ladies of all ages. Like Innisfree, it’s owned by beauty conglomerate Amorepacific.
7. PeriPera
Peripera is a super chic and whimsical Korean makeup brand that is known for its lip products. Peripera’s lip products are very hydrating, easy to apply, and long-wearing. They also have a wide range of shades available to suit all skin tones.
PeriPera’s most popular lip product, the Ink Velvet Lip has all the fun and none of the fuss. The creamy formula glides on easily, leaving lips with a natural-looking tint that lasts all day.
8. Holika Holika
Holika Holika is a trendy and unique cosmetic line that aims to provide fun and unique products for young women. Its packaging designs are one of a kind, attracting both male and female customers with its bright colors, eye-catching graphics and clever design.
The brand has innovative products that are perfect for those who want to experiment with their looks. We love their Holi Pop Jelly Tint, as it’s so easy to use and affordable too!
9. EM Cosmetics
EM Cosmetics aims to provide you with all of the tools that you need so you can express your own creativity, uniqueness, and beauty. This is a cosmetics brand owned by Michelle Phan, a Korean-American beauty Youtuber who rose to prominence during the early 2010s.
The brand is known for its selection of natural ingredients and mineral foundations, which are available in a variety of shades. They also make skin care products and cosmetics by using only premium quality raw materials that help improve your skin’s overall health.
10. I’M MEME
I’M MEME is an innovative line of wearable, quality makeup for everyday self-expression. The products are easy to use and cater to young women with busy daily lifestyles. I’M MEME brings fun, new experiences into your day by allowing you to create the perfect look that says exactly who you are.
I’M MEME is the first of its kind to bring makeup to the go, turning it into a fun and accessible tool to express your everyday self. With high-quality products that are easy to use, their products cater to millennials’ changing lifestyles.
Their super popular I’m Pep! Lip Balm is a multi-functional lip and cheek tint that also acts like a balm to nourish and hydrate the skin and lips.
11. Clio
Clio products are beloved by professional makeup artists, K-beauty enthusiasts, and trendsetters worldwide. A brainchild of Korea’s professional makeup artists, Clio was formulated with the intent of capturing the essence of Korean beauty: made with natural ingredients, 100% cruelty-free, and a quality of workmanship that captures the very soul of this small yet influential country.
Their Waterproof Pen Liner is garnering rave reviews from left to right. It’s a highly pigmented liquid pen liner that won the 2014 Best Of K-Beauty award.
12. TonyMoly
TonyMoly is a popular Korean cosmetics brand that was created in 2006. This brand is renowned for its cult classic sheet masks and equally playful and adorable packaging.
Their most popular K-beauty products are their animal-themed sheet masks, hand creams, and pore strips that look like watermelon! They also have cute lipsticks and cushion foundations among other cosmetics.
TonyMoly’s products cater to teens and college students who are always looking for something cute that also makes their skin look good.
13. Touch In Sol
Touch In Sol aims to bring joy to your makeup routine by making it their mission to help you find your own unique and special beauty. With dozens of cruelty-free, high-quality products at prices that fit every budget and style, there’s no question why Touch In Sol has become one of the most popular K-beauty brands to check out.
Their products have been well-received in Korea and internationally, earning praise for their high quality and innovation. Their No Poreblem Primer hides your pores and leaves you with a dewy finish, and it’s worth checking out if you’re looking to add a new primer to your beauty arsenal.
14. 3Ce
Amid the crowds of color, we always look to 3CE to deliver fresh hues and satisfying pigment. Whether it’s the brand’s acclaimed velvet lipstick or the eye shadow palettes, you can count on 3CE to stay on-trend and deliver color that deserves a spot in your makeup case.
Also known as 3 Concept Eyes, this beauty brand’s most popular product are their Velvet Lip Tints that come in 15 different shades to choose from, ranging from sultry reds to muted, dusty pink tones.
15. Iope
Designed for the ultimate in results and skin care innovation, IOPE smart skincare products harness the power of nature with advanced science to target your unique skin concerns.
The brand is dedicated to creating safe and effective beauty solutions using an extensive range of active ingredients that can be seen working immediately on your skin.
If you’re looking for a new cushion foundation, check out their Air Cushion. It contains 30% mineral water, SPF 50+ PA+++, and vitamins B5 to ensure that you achieve healthy skin.
16. SUREBASE
Give yourself a healthy, vibrant glow with organic and EWG-certified beauty products from SUREBASE. SUREBASE is a brand that loves your skin as much as you do. Every product uses only the best botanical extracts and is packed with sustainable ingredients for a beautiful complexion.
17. Banila Co
This makeup brand has a special skin-first approach, which means that all of Banila Co’s cosmetic products are produced to make you look amazing while also bring kind and gentle to your skin.
Get the universally desired “glass skin” look with this popular It Radiant CC Cream that was awarded 11 beauty accolades. This CC Cream contains white flower water, which helps balance your skin’s overall texture and tone.
18. VDL
You may have already stumbled across some of VDL’s products, as some of the brands products can easily be found in Western stores like Ulta Beauty and Walmart.
Unlike many other brands on this list, VDL is primarily a makeup brand, and offers little in the skincare department. The brand’s most popular products are its Lumilayer primer which is perfect for achieving glowy, luminous skin, as well as its Perfecting Last foundation with SPF 30, which promises long-lasting light coverage with a matte finish.
19. Clē Cosmetics
Clē Cosmetics is all about subtlety. It’s a brand that believes in the power of minimalism and bringing out the best in your natural beauty with skincare-focused formulas. If you tend to keep makeup minimal or simply want a fresh-faced look, then Clē is for you.
One of their most popular products is their CCC Cream Foundation. It’s quite similar to the usual BB creams, but this one has more substantial coverage + it contains SPF 50 PA+++!
20. MIZON
MIZON is a South Korean cosmetics brand that was developed by the union of scientists and researchers in South Korea. It’s result of over 30 years’ worth of research and development, resulting in high-quality products that provide real results without any harmful side effects.
For a Parisian chic look, try their Velvet Matte Lipstick – it comes in five bold colors that are highly pigmented!
21. The Saem
The Saem offers highly innovative, and environment-friendly products by making use of plant-based ingredients – and what’s amazing is that they come in super cute and recyclable packaging.
All formulas are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and formaldehydes; sourced from 100% natural ingredients; and delivered with a high design sensibility in clean luxury packaging.
Their most popular product is their Cover Perfection Tip Concealer that can easily cover blemishes and spots with just a dab. Furthermore, the formula contains SPF 28 PA++ sun protection!
22. The Face Shop
A household name at this point as this is one of the most popular Korean beauty brands that have expanded globally through brick and mortar shops. The Face Shop is a South Korea-based skincare and cosmetics manufacturer, retailer, and wholesaler.
Their face mask is an excellent step to add to your skincare regimen before going to sleep. And if you’re on the hunt for a peachy blush, check out their pigmented Moisture Cushion Blush that’s enriched with berry oil complex.
23. Moonshot
Moonshot is an innovative cosmetics brand that’s owned by YG Entertainment, the company that handles world-class KPOP artists like Blackpink, Big Bang, G-Dragon, and more.
Their makeup products are designed to make you feel like a K-Pop star. Its modern packaging and smart branding produces top of the line beauty products that are perfect for Gen Z and Millennials. This beauty brand takes cues from the edgy aesthetic looks by our favorite KPOP idols.
24. Pony Effect
Pony Effect is a makeup line that provides quality products and inspiration to her fans. It’s a beauty brand owned by Pony (AKA Park Hye-Min), a popular South Korean makeup artist who has made a name for herself in the beauty industry as a blogger and makeup Youtuber. Pony creates daring, bold makeup products that encourage women to express their true self.
25. UNLEASHIA
Celebrities, influencers, and makeup artists love UNLEASHIA’s luxe range of color cosmetics. The brand offers everything from glittery eyeshadows, shimmery limp balms, to moisturizers and provides the perfect way to unleash your creativity while experimenting with beauty products—perfect if you’re the type of girl who loves everything glitter and glamorous.
Their super cute Glitterpedia Eye Palette is swoon-worthy, and it won’t hurt your wallet too!
We hope this list has helped you find your next favorite Korean makeup brand. There is so much to choose from, so we really encourage you to check out as many brands as possible before deciding which one meets your needs best!
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