Korean women swear by 3 make-up tricks for glowing skin, including one with a skewer
What if the secret to glowing skin lay in gestures as simple as a wooden skewer or a well-handled brush? In 2026, K-beauty continues to captivate, and for good reason. K-beauty specialist Derek Deng went behind the scenes at a Korean make-up school and came back with three concrete techniques, published in Byrdie magazine.
Why does Korean make-up deliver such glowing skin?
K-beauty is far more than a ten-step skincare routine. Korean women have also mastered the art of make-up with remarkable precision. Their techniques aim for a result that is light, radiant, and flawless on the skin. It comes as no surprise, then, that their methods are attracting growing attention well beyond Korea’s borders.
What sets these gestures apart is their ability to enhance without weighing the face down. Each technique follows a clear logic, designed to highlight facial features in a natural way. The result: glowing skin that seems to come from within.
The straight-brow technique using a skewer
This is arguably the most surprising of the three tips. To achieve perfectly straight Korean-style brows, Derek Deng recommends using a wooden skewer or a toothpick. After completing your usual brow routine, simply heat the tool with a hair dryer or straightener, then press it, still warm, onto the brows.
This gesture flattens and tames unruly hairs, smoothing them into place for the entire day. As Derek Deng explains, the method may seem strange at first, but it effectively disciplines stubborn brow hairs. It is an accessible trick that requires no extra purchase, yet makes a real difference to the finished make-up look.
Blurred lips: a Korean signature long before it became a global trend
Before it became a technique associated with other make-up artists, the blurred lip was already a K-beauty staple. This lip style is defined by softened, diffused edges that give the mouth a natural, gentle effect. To achieve it, simply blend the edges of your lip liner with a brush.
This simple gesture transforms a classic lip look into something more modern and distinctly Korean. The blurred effect softens the features and fits seamlessly into a beauty routine oriented towards glowing skin and a no-fuss finish.
Aegyo sal: the Korean secret to eyes that smile
In Korean beauty culture, the eyes hold a central place on the face. Aegyo sal refers to the small, natural pouches beneath the eyes that Korean women choose to enhance rather than conceal. According to Derek Deng, accentuating this area draws more attention to the eyes and gives them extra definition, as though they are smiling.
- Trace the natural shadow of the under-eye pouches with a cool-toned brown shade
- Apply concealer to the area
- Finish with a touch of highlighter to bring light to the zone
- Do not skip this step, it is often overlooked in Western routines
This three-step approach delivers a more expressive gaze without overloading the make-up. It is precisely this kind of detail that makes all the difference in the pursuit of glowing skin and eyes that truly stand out.
Three techniques, one goal: luminous skin
What these techniques share is precision and effectiveness. Each one targets a specific area of the face, brows, lips, and the under-eye contour, to build a cohesive make-up look. Together, they deliver that result so characteristic of K-beauty: glowing skin that is flawless and effortlessly natural.
What’s more, none of these gestures require any particular investment. A wooden skewer, a brush, and a highlighter are all you need to weave these habits into your daily routine. That, after all, is the true strength of Korean make-up: achieving a great deal with very little, as long as you know the right moves. For anyone looking to refine their beauty routine, these three techniques are a solid starting point on the path to glowing skin worthy of the best make-up schools in Korea.
