All About Sophisticated and Detailed Base Makeup
Recently, the base makeup market has evolved beyond simple coverage, demanding intricacy and detailed technology. From advanced foundations to newly launched base products and tips used by Cheongdam shop artists on site, we delve deeply into all the elements for delicate skin expression.
Evolution of Foundation: The Confluence of Technology and Trends
The Glamorous Return of Foundation
The base market, once dominated by cushion products, is being redefined by the strong resurgence of foundations this year. Global beauty brands like Christian Dior Beauty, Estée Lauder, and NARS are leading with new foundation releases, while Hermès Beauty has joined the competition with its first-ever foundation. This trend signifies a new evolution centered around ‘skin expression technology’, merging skincare formulations, comfortable wear with multiple layers, and naturally enhancing skin tones. Notably, Estée Lauder has renewed its iconic Double Wear Foundation, leading the base makeup market since 1997. The focus is on adding a buildable texture for adjustable coverage and lightweight, comfortable wear while maintaining the product’s renowned long-lasting and covering power.
Rise of Natural Skin and Skinimalism
In the past, the main goal of base makeup was to perfectly cover imperfections. Today, the trend has shifted to subtly correcting only the necessary parts while preserving the skin’s unique character. The focus is on naturally revealing the skin’s original tone and texture instead of hiding every flaw. Noteworthy is the trend in formulas, where the distinction between matte and glow textures has blurred, centering on semi-matte textures now. NARS Chief Makeup Artist Hyungseok Yeo explains:
“Semi-matte texture, which isn’t too glossy nor completely matte, is central to base makeup this time.”
Instead of excessive shine or heavy coverage, the key is to lightly refine skin texture to naturally express the original skin tone.
Beauty brands focus on this ‘naturalness’ due to a fundamental shift in base trends. Unlike the past dominated by concepts like ‘flawless skin’ or ‘dewy skin’, post-COVID-19 pandemic trends such as ‘foundation-free’ emerged, minimizing or skipping base steps. Consequently, beauty brands now offer diverse shades and textures suitable for individual skin tones and types, opening an era allowing consumers to choose bases according to personal skin conditions and preferences. Makeup that highlights natural skin texture is becoming ingrained.
Amidst this trend, the keyword ‘Skinimalism’ is also coming into prominence. It refers to breaking down the boundaries between skincare and makeup, focusing on presenting the skin itself healthily. Hana Lee, a marketing manager at Clarins, which recently launched the Double Serum Foundation, describes the skinimalism trend as follows:
“With the spread of the skinimalism trend that combines skincare and makeup, thin bases highlighting the skin’s natural texture are gaining attention. It’s crucial to focus on making the skin look healthy and beautiful rather than perfectly covering skin imperfections.”
Bases Completed with Smart Technology
Today’s foundations have evolved beyond tools that merely cover skin imperfections, becoming products rich in technology. Featuring formulations containing skincare ingredients, textures that comfortably adhere to the skin, and natural coverage, foundations showcase a significantly upgraded form. In tandem with this, ‘base prep’ has emerged as a key step for high-end skin expression. The pre-makeup condition of the skin determines the overall quality of the makeup. Selecting prep products according to skin conditions, such as using products that smooth out rough textures or enhance base makeup’s adherence and duration, is becoming a trend. Ultimately, the current base makeup is evolving towards being meticulously attentive from prep stages to using foundations.
Although naturalness is trending, for those without naturally good skin, beauty brands offer ‘smart foundations’ rich in technology as a solution. Estée Lauder incorporated new ‘Polymer Mesh Matrix Technology’ to make the skin feel comfortable as if breathing.
“It features a lightweight and comfortable feel, like yoga wear. Twenty trillion micro pigments in every drop of foundation harmoniously blend with the skin, like a chameleon absorbing surrounding colors, naturally enhancing the complexion.”
Clarins also combines skincare technology with foundation, integrating its iconic skincare product, Double Serum, with foundation. Its feature is blending the two formulas right before use thanks to a dual chamber design. This product adds a natural glow to the skin and offers skincare benefits such as wrinkle improvement and nourishment plus moisturization, garnering attention as a hybrid foundation. Like this, the latest foundations evolve as technologically advanced products offering precise skin tone and texture completion and skincare benefits.
As the importance of prep grows, newly launched primers also enhance their functionalities. Makeup experts emphasize that prep is a pivotal process which not only conditions the skin but adjusts its tone, texture, and shine, thus determining the base’s completeness. The role of prep is to create the optimal condition for the most beautiful skin expression. Through its blue and pink color base products, THEHOO introduces an all-in-one base combining corrective power, functionality, and comfortable use, explaining that it naturally corrects skin tone without heaviness thanks to skincare ingredients. Sulwhasoo also applies its skincare know-how to a primer, incorporating breathable makeup technology and Silk Purification Texture to maintain a clean tone throughout the day and naturally refines pores and texture. Since new products with various functions keep appearing, it’s wise to use prep products that meet personal needs.
Expert Base Makeup Tips
Products picked by Cheongdam shops’ makeup artists remain immensely popular on SNS and YouTube. Trusted for being used by makeup artists on site, they gain high credibility. Cheongdam shop artists, who handle photoshoots and celebrity makeup, are knowledgeable in choosing base products and precisely adjusting application methods according to skin conditions.
Da-yun, a manager at wiwia atelier, recommends using the hands like applying serum when using a watery base to neatly prepare the skin surface. If dry skin struggles with base adherence, Seong-se Young from Sumssuseom recommends choosing tacky products to create a dewy base and evenly applying with a brush for uniformity. Checking ingredients can also help when the skin’s condition deteriorates; Allie Eunjin suggests using a base containing PDRN to help firm skin texture quickly improving skin condition. K-WON from Jennyhouse advises that for dull skin, instead of applying thickly, organizing skin tone with tone-up function products is preferable. To prevent base makeup from sliding after primer application, Caringmee Shin recommends applying primer thinly with a brush then dabbing it with a sponge or fingers for improved adherence and longevity. By referencing experts’ product selection tips and application know-how, find the best-suited base product for yourself.
Perfected Expression of Healthy, Flawless Skin
The trend of increasingly sophisticated and detailed base makeup has evolved beyond simply covering skin imperfections to healthily and naturally showcasing inherent beauty. Thanks to innovative foundation technology and various prep products, along with experts’ meticulous know-how, an era has dawned where anyone can achieve perfect yet unique skin expression. Finding products and methods that perfectly suit you to maximize the natural glow of the skin is key now.
This content containing the latest base makeup trends, we hope, serves as a beneficial guide to your fine and healthy skin expression. “ always provides reliable beauty information to enhance your beauty.
