Makeup Meltdown? Try These 10 Korean Beauty Products Made to Survive a Monsoon

The dog days of summer are always brutal for beauty, as the oppressive humidity can melt away even the most durable foundation and shadow in a matter of minutes. One far-flung solution? Look half the world away to Korea, where the sweltering heat of monsoon season grips the region each June, July and August—yet women’s makeup always seems to remain on point.

According to Soko Glam cofounder Charlotte Cho, a few well-planned tricks, alongside a number of innovative products, make all the difference. For one, Cho always wears a stain—never a lipstick or a gloss—to tack the color on her mouth. Korea is particularly known for its long-lasting versions, many of which are described as “tattoo-like” for the semi-permanent tint they leave behind. “Some of the best budge-proof eyeliner formulas also come from Seoul, because of the very humid, sticky summers,” Cho says of the waterproof-everything mentality that extends to categories from liquid liners to mascaras to brow tints.

To further counteract the atmospheric steam, celebrity makeup artists like Park Tae Yun rely on sebum-soaking primers, which prep the skin to grip foundation. “It’s all about using the right base for those humid months that helps control excess oil,” he says, citing the Long Keep Base from his Son & Park line as one example. “You don’t need a lot, just enough to ensure that your foundation won’t melt off in the heat, and if you need more coverage, layer on a powder foundation to finish.” In Korea, an oil-control compact is a summer-clutch staple, and locally created versions like Peripera’s Oil Capture Pact won’t leave a powdery cast behind.

Finally, there’s a new wave of Korean setting sprays designed not only to refresh the skin and seal makeup, but to control sun-induced sweat as well. Take Neogen’s Code 9 Sebum Clear Pore Mist, which dries matte to reduce shine, thanks to the absorbent powder inside. Cho recommends carrying a bottle around and spritzing throughout humid days to soak up excess oil. “It’s a pretty innovative product because it hydrates oily skin while giving it a matte finish,” she explains.

Above, 10 Korean beauty products that are designed to withstand a monsoon—and also provide a no-sweat summer beauty solution stateside.

 

 

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