15-05-2025
Summer Beauty Report: We Asked Experts to Explan the 9 Biggest K-Beauty Trends of the Season
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It's no secret that Korean beauty majorly influences our skincare and makeup habits here in the States. I mean, some of Cosmo's beauty editors have literally flown thousands of miles to South Korea to uncover the latest and greatest Korean skincare products and makeup trends (see: here and here). The glass skin aesthetic, viral foundations like the TirTir Cushion Compact, and entire categories sparked by cult products like COSRX's Snail Mucin have pushed Korean skincare and makeup deep into the mainstream.
Sarah Chung Park, a Korean beauty industry veteran who's brought nearly 100 different K-Beauty brands to the U.S., says this is just the beginning of the K-Beauty surge. With a proposed 10 percent tariff on Korean imports looming, beauty prices are expected to rise, prompting shoppers to stock up before shelves (and wallets) take a hit. But what should we all be stocking up on? I chatted with K Beauty experts to break down the biggest trends for summer straight from Seoul—including K-pop-inspired makeup looks and silky skincare that will leave your face feeling super hydrated. Think of it as your insider's guide to all things K-Beauty for summer 2025.
If you haven't seen the PDRN surge all over your social media feeds yet, welcome. PDRN is derived from salmon sperm (yes, really) and boasts some impressive hydrating and collagen-boosting benefits. People even get PDRN injections to regenerate and repair the skin barrier, improving overall brightness, texture, and hydration. But if a pricey appointment or needles aren't your vibe (relatable), some of these PDRN-infused topicals boast some incredible collagen-producing, smoothing, and moisture-locking results. From hydrating serums to overnight masks, you can find PDRN in sooo many Korean skincare lines.$28.00 at at at
2. 3-D Sheet Masks
Three-dimensional sheet masks are designed to hug every curve of your face, reaching every little corner and crevice that might be missed by a typical sheet mask. 'They are like a custom fit for your face, delivering hydration or treatment ingredients more effectively,' Chung Park says. She explains they're especially great for lifting, firming, and hydrating areas that are not easy to treat, like the jawline or chin. 'As someone whose primary beauty concern is a sagging jawline, not only do 3D masks help depuff and firm with active ingredients, but the masks themselves use a design that literally lifts the physical sheet to tighten the skin," says Chung Park.$23.50 at at at
3. Milky Toners
"The big trend in toners right now is all things milky,' says Chung Park. While toners themselves aren't new, a wave of innovative, thicker-textured formulas is giving the category a modern refresh. These soothing toners are packed with hydrators like rice and plant extracts that are especially ideal for calming inflammation and creating a canvas for that coveted glass-skin finish. You can officially say goodbye to the overly drying alcohol and witch hazel toners of the past.$16.00 at at at
4. Essences 2.0
The next step in your skincare routine after using a toner would be an essence. Short-ingredient list essences are ideal for layering to lock in hydration for the ultimate moisture cushion, and the shelf life is much longer since they don't run the risk of degrading or mixing with other ingredients.
Chung Park loves essences for delivering "deep, multi-layered hydration while soothing and revitalizing the skin.' It basically amps up your skin's moisture to get that silky and glassy finish. Some are so hydrating that they even moonlight as a moisturizer.$13.95 at at at
5. Under-Eye Glitter
Glitter plays a major role in the K-Beauty and K-pop aesthetic, especially when it comes to aegyo-sal—the subtle, puffed area just beneath the lower lash line. The term "aegyo" refers to a kind of cute, playful charm, explains Chung Park, and this makeup detail has become a signature look among K-pop idols.
According to celebrity makeup artist and K-Beauty expert Carol Park, placement is everything. 'To create aegyo-sal, smile with your eyes—once you see that natural eye puff appear, take a glitter stick or shimmer shadow and gently sweep it just underneath,' she says. To brighten and define the eyes even more, Park recommends applying shimmer to the inner corners and blending it softly toward the center of the eye for a radiant finish.$18.49 at at at
6. Cushion Compacts
Cushion compacts are back and better than ever, thanks to TirTir's viral formula leading the latest wave of foundation innovation. While the original designs relied on a sponge soaked in foundation housed inside a compact, Chung Park explains that today's versions feature upgraded delivery systems that dispense product more precisely and help maintain formula stability. Many modern cushion foundations also go beyond coverage, doubling as skincare hybrids with ingredients that hydrate, soothe, and protect your face throughout the day.$21.00 at at at
7. The Spicule Surge
Spicules—microscopic needles from marine sponges—are the buzzy new skincare MVPs shaking up our routines (also known as liquid microneedling). Popularized in high-tech Korean skin clinics, these tingly little particles create microchannels in the skin that "boost collagen, gently exfoliate, and allow your actives to penetrate deeper into the dermis," explains Chung Park.
"Think of them as nature's version of microneedling—minus the price tag, pain, and downtime," says Chung Park. She adds that "some brands are now combining them with actives like peptides and PDRN, meaning they don't just enhance your formulas' effectiveness by creating pathways—they also deliver those powerhouse ingredients deep into the skin where they work best."$27.00 at at at
8. Blurred Lips
We're all about the just-bitten, blurred lip look this summer—and so is Park. 'The easiest way to create the iconic K-Beauty-inspired blurred lip is to use long-wearing formulas to achieve a gradient,' she says.
Start by applying color to the center of the lips, then diffuse outward using a fingertip or a small brush. This softens the edges, evens out the texture, and creates that signature blurred effect. For a quick take, concentrate most of the pigment in the inner lip and feather it outward. 'With the minimal product left on your brush, softly blur the cupid's bow and the bottom center of the lips to enhance the pout,' she explains. The goal is a diffused, seamless finish—no harsh lines in sight.$25.00 at at at
9. K-Pop Highlighting
For a lit-from-within glow that mirrors your favorite K-pop stars, it's all about strategic placement. According to Park, "highlight should be applied to the high points of the face—think cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, and the bridge of the nose—for a brightening effect.
Park likes to start with a balm formula, such as the Hince True Dimension Highlighter Stick, to create a dewy base. She then layers a finely milled powder highlighter atop to adhere seamlessly to the balm for a second-skin finish. This gives the skin a natural sheen with a soft, luminous payoff.$23.99 at at at
Sarah Chung Park is a pioneer in the development of K-Beauty products. She's brought over 100 different Korean beauty brands to retail in the U.S., including COSRX, Hanskin, Neogen, Leaders, and more. She also curated the prestige K-Beauty section at Ulta.
Carol Park is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in commercial and editorial beauty work. She has expert knowledge in K-Beauty trends and application techniques.
is a beauty writer and editor with more than a decade of experience. She's written for Byrdie, InStyle, The Los Angeles Times, and more. For this story, she consulted with K-Beauty experts for intel on the latest products, ingredients, and trends straight from Seoul.
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