“Gangnam Style”
Psy (pronounce Si) and his explosively successful track “Gangnam Style” have had an earth shattering effect on popular culture and global music charts. In turn increased interest in the sensations origins of South Korea that have developed in Western society. With “Gangnam Style” ascertaining over 700 million views and achieving a Guinness World Record for most “liked” video in YouTube history subsequently winning “Best Video” at the MTV awards in Germany this year. It’s clear to see that Psy has managed to get the K-Pop genre some attention.
Hailed by fellow South Korean and prolific UN chief Ban Ki-Moon as “a force for world peace” Psy has achieved universal superstardom. So I thought I’d check out K-Pop for some refreshing Makeup ideas. Well folks......I was overwhelmed by what I found. I’m not sure about world peace but K-Pop blew my mind from a styling, creative art direction, hair and makeup point of view. Production values of music videos such as BIGBANG’s “FANTASTIC BABY” and 2NE1’s “I LOVE YOU M/V” would rival that of a Michael Bay film and definitely give Gaga a run for her money!
The Look !
Think hyperbolic 1990s pop boy and girl bands, set them in a video game like Final Fantasy or an animation like Dragonball Z, turn them all into comic book characters, make the girls look like porcelain doll, cutesy sex robots and BOOM you get Nicki Minaj but sweeter. NOTHING is left unadorned, hair is either a wig or dramtically cut and dyed , makeup, graphic, clean, airbrush flawless, focus on big eyes often with circle lenses, fair skin slim nose and pouty lips, nails....well that’s a whole different accessory, clothes, awesome, and that’s just the guys. Metrosexuality is so early 2000’s, 10 years later and we’ve got some cyborgian multisexual blowing gender identities out of the water!! It’s a magnificent spectacle.
As for makeup I’ve heard it’s all about the BB cream! Or what’s now popular in Asia is CC (Colour Cream) which gives better coverage. There is a huge focus on skincare in Asia, a lot of cosmetic companies like MAC and BOBBI BROWN have entire lines that are Asia specific and are not available anywhere else in the world. Most of these products are Brightening Skincare ranges with high Sun Factors. Youth and perfection are worshiped so wrinkles and sun damage are absolute NO-NOs (certainly something us cooler climate dwellers should acknowledge as UV rays can still cause skin damage when it’s cloudy and cold!) Now with BB creams so readily available for all budgets across the UK and Ireland there’s no excuse to not give one a try. A word of warning though, if you like a fuller coverage foundation you may be better using this formula as a primer.
Eyes are predominately a dark, neutral smokey. Because Asian eye shapes are mostly almond with an under defined crease the darkest colour mostly black or dark brown, rims the eye at the lashline. It is blended up to the crease and faded out above the crease. The shape that the eyeshadow takes is often winged to extend and enlarge the eye shape. To create a more rounded, larger, doll like eye Circle Lenses are often used as is Eyelid Glue or tape. Because lashes are often fine, short and straight eyelash curlers and false lashes are fantastic to open up the eye and give a wider eye effect. SHU UMERA Mini Eyelash curlers (meaning they are half the size of regular lashcurlers for easier, less daunting curling).
To maintain focus on the eyes, lips are kept soft, nude and glossy. Glosses are popular due to their sheer colour and fresher peaches and pinks can be worn without distracting from the eyes.
So off you K-POP and get gorgeous!
