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Going Matte: The Korean Beauty Edition


If there’s one thing Korean beauty is known for, it’s the ability to make your skin look ultra hydrated, dewy and positively radiant. Those are all good things, of course, but sometimes you just wanna go matte. That’s okay too.

What if we told you that, in the world of Korean makeup, you can have your bb cream and matte skin, too? It’s true!

Matte skin doesn’t have to mean dry or dull skin. In fact, with the help of a powerful cosmetic primer, your holy grail BB cream, and some finishing power and/or mattifying products used throughout the day, you can have a moisturized, glowing complexion that also offers the benefit of soft and muted skin with zero shine. You can still wear your dewy face whenever and wherever you want, but having the option to go matte can make you feel like a new woman in full control of her complexion.

Step 1: Prime Your Skin

After you’ve cleansed and moisturized, per your normal routine, apply a makeup primer to your face. I suggest something like Banila Co’s Prime Primer, which is a silky, gel-like formula that slides across the face and creates the perfect foundation for your bb cream. This particular product gives you baby-like skin by hydrating, minimizing pores, and zapping oil. That moisturizing part is particularly important if you’re going to go matte later.

Step 2: Apply BB Cream

Give your primer a couple minutes to set and then move on to your BB cream. You can use whatever you prefer, even if it usually leaves your skin with a dewy finish. I’m using Missha’s Perfect Cover B.B. Cream.

 

Step 3: Apply Finishing Powder

 

Not only does finishing powder help your makeup last all day long, it’ll help you achieve that “glowing underneath, but matte on top” look. There are lots of options out there, but I’ve been using Banila Co’s Primer Finishing Powder, which is a loose powder that instantly creates a soft, matte finish. I like how soft it makes my skin feel, how quickly it absorbs oil, and that it contains lots of yummy extracts, including white water lily extract, honey, watermelon and plantain leaf extracts.

 

Step 4: Touch Up Throughout The Day

 

Finally, for matte that lasts all day, keep a touch-up compact in your purse. This will allow you to blot away oil as needed. One option to consider is the Son & Park’s Flawless Pore Pact, an oil-controlling blotter that will leave your skin matte and silky.

And that’s how you do it! Do you prefer the super dewy or matte route? If the former, do you think you’d give matte a try after reading this post?

 

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