INTERVIEW Makeup tips from expert who handled hallyu stars
Jung Im helps me with my makeup at a shop in Gangnam, Seoul, on September 17.
Makeup artist Jung Im
By Dong Sun-hwa
Makeup tips abound but good ones are hard to come by.
So when encountering pretty K-pop stars, many people can't but wonder whether they do have some secrets.
So I took it on myself to find out from Jung Im, a veteran makeup artist with 20 years' experience.
Among Jung's clients were actor Lee Jong-suk, with credits in hit TV dramas such as “While You Are Sleeping,” “Pinocchio” and “W,” and Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na.
Jung started with my eye makeup because I already had sunscreen, BB cream and concealer on my face.
“For this autumn, apricot-color eye shadows are the megatrends,” said Jung as she applied it. She said makeup is largely influenced by fashion trends. These days, leopard-printed fashions are hot, and thus apricot colors that thrive on the popular style also are on the rise.
“People also prefer creating more shades on eyes to be seen 'three-dimensional,'” Jung said. She used similar colors in combination on my eyes too.
The artist then turned to eyeliner and asked me about the products I mostly use. I said I usually use black liquid eyeliner, sometimes with brown pencil to draw waterlines.
“First, I do not suggest you to fill out waterlines, since this could harm your eyes,” Jung said. “You can put glitter under the eyes to give more vivid impressions.”
Jung added that using khaki or purple eyeliners could add to attractiveness.
Before she began touching my eyelashes, she threw another question: “Are you good at handling your eyelashes?” No, I said, because I found it pretty challenging to use an eyelash curler every morning.
“Then I recommend you try an eyelash perm, which helps eyelashes have a 'C-shaped curve' for about 15 days,” Jung said. “However, many are fond of the 'L-shape' these days and use mascara of a brown color instead of a black one.”
She then revealed a tip that mascara also can be used on eyebrows. Since I have thin eyebrows, I usually spend a long time trimming them. Jung, however, advised me to apply mascara on the front part of the eyebrows, as it could make them look more natural and “strong.”
Jung Im does my eye makeup at a shop in Gangnam, Seoul.
Then she mentioned the “triangular zone” of the face. She revealed that this should stand out to bring about more dramatic changes on the face.
“For more three-dimensional looks, you should accentuate the 'triangular zone' of your face with blushers,” Jung said. “The blusher of a brighter color is more helpful, and when wearing it, be sure not to apply it on the top of your cheek ― this is a way to highlight your zone.”
Her last tip was to moisturize the skin.
“Aging reaches its peak during the autumn,” Jung said. “The majority of people believe moisturizing is crucial only during the winter but the autumn should not be overlooked as well.”
Present and future of K-makeup
After the 30-minute makeup session, we talked about the present and future of K-makeup. I asked Jung whether foreigners are interested in it too, since I spotted two foreigners at the shop during the two hours I was there.
“Numerous foreigners are heading to Korea to learn about K-makeup nowadays and I have bumped into a number of them at my school,” Jung said. “They plan to study K-makeup and then run their own businesses at their homes with the knowledge."
She added: “The future of K-makeup is bright, with an increasing number of Korean workers expanding their territories to overseas. Especially, myriad people from Southeast Asian countries are looking for K-beauty professionals who could help run beauty shops in their countries.”
Jung also said they offer fair working conditions and pay.
“So I hope my juniors seize opportunities outside Korea as well and also contribute in spreading K-beauty.”