Next to having a flawless base, the most important feature of K-pop idol makeup is definitely the eyes. And while eyeshadow, eyeliner, and glitter compose most of the look, it's their lashes that really take it to the next level. That's because unlike the rest of us, makeup artists approach lashes differently—they don't just curl and swipe on mascara and call it a day. Their technique is way more intricate, and it achieves the most stunning fanned, doll-like look.
Most makeup artists use falsies on celebrities, but you don't necessarily need them yourself. The proof is in this tutorial by Korean YouTuber Jaycee, who basically revealed the pros' best-kept secrets for idol lashes. Scroll ahead to learn the process step-by-step!
How to Get K-Pop Idol Eyelashes without Falsies
1. Curl your lashes.
You all know the drill with this one. Use your favorite eyelash curler like you normally would, making sure to push at the root so your lashes stand as tall as possible.
2. Change your lashes' direction with a spoolie.
If your lashes tend to go in different directions after curling, use a spoolie (or a screw brush, as they say in K-beauty) to fix them. The goal is to have all your hairs pointing outwards and up. FYI, doing this before applying mascara not only prevents clumps but makes the finished look more polished!
3. Apply mascara.
Instead of putting on mascara from root to tip, Jaycee recommends focusing the pigment on the lashline. She does this by wiggling the tip of her wand on the roots of her lashes first, and then combing upwards when there's not much left on the brush.
Jaycee's mascara of choice is Etude House's Lash Perm Curl Fix Mascara Long & Curl, which is also very popular among idol makeup artists because of its staying power. You can use your favorite waterproof lengthening formula if you can't get your hands on this one!
4. Use point tweezers to distribute the pigment and combine lashes into sections.
Before your mascara dries, grab a pair of point tweezers (the sharper, the better) and press a small bundle of eyelashes together to form a single "lash". This should give you that separated lash effect that K-pop idols typically go for but without needing help from falsies!
Tip: Work upwards (root to tip) when using your tweezers so you're also distributing the mascara evenly throughout the hairs and removing clumps.
Don't forget to wipe your tweezers in between!
5. Set your lash curl with heated wooden sticks.
To set all that hard work and maintain your curl, you have to "iron" your lashes. Koreans do this manually with two wooden sticks and a lighter.
In the video, Jaycee heats the end of one stick with a lighter, and once the stick is warm enough, she runs it through her lashes while the second stick sits still on her lashline.
6. Repeat the same process on your lower lashes.
Your lower lashes obviously shouldn't miss out, so do all the steps above to them as well!
Here's what this lash technique looks like with a full face, as seen on Itzy's Yeji:
Want to see all the steps in action? Watch Jaycee's tutorial below!
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