When it comes to the meaning of beauty there’s no one clear-cut definition, but rather individual expressions of what beauty means to a person. This is exactly why the world of makeup is so enticing: a single eyeliner can sketch out different outcomes depending on whose hands it’s in and the opportunities for creativity are endless. The STYLEVANA End-of-Year VANA Awards 2023 for the 14 best Korean makeup products showcases the most envied makeup bag staples, cutting-edge formulas and top-selling products that help our VANA fans express their own versions of beauty. We’re shining the spotlight on the outstanding brands and MVPs you’ve voted for, creating the ultimate guide to all the can’t-miss beauty hits for your collection. Keep scrolling to get into it.

- Best Primer -

THE FACE SHOP - Air Cotton Makeup Base in Mint

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - THE FACE SHOP

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: A flawless base starts with good skin prep, and THE FACE SHOP’s Air Cotton Makeup Base in Mint sets you up for success. Soft and cloud-like, this feather-light primer smooths out the skin to allow seamless application and blending of your base makeup. The mint tint cancels out redness for even skin tone, and lets you use less product in the later steps of the makeup routine to cover up imperfections. Plus, it offers SPF30 PA++ for extra UV protection.

- Best Foundation -

Etude House - Double Lasting Foundation SPF35 PA++

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Etude House

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Keeping you matte but not flat is the Etude House Double Lasting Foundation SPF35 PA++. What it is: a 24-hour foundation with high coverage and adherence, formulated with a Double Fix system to keep the base looking and feeling fresh while preventing it from getting shiny, caking or creasing. Just a thin layer is able to cover any flaws or imperfections, but it can also be built up while remaining comfortable to wear and allowing the skin to breathe.

- Best BB & CC Cream -

Dear, Klairs - Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Dear, Klairs

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Combining skincare and makeup into one easy step, the Dear, Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream safeguards your complexion from environmental damage, provides a dose of hydration, and offers natural coverage that addresses redness, pores and an uneven skin tone, all in one go. The lightweight BB cream formula helps you achieve flawless skin like *that*, ideal for makeup minimalists or anyone seeking more benefits from their base makeup.

- Best Cushion -

Unleashia - Satin Wear Healthy Green Cushion

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Made with skin-loving Bakuchiol, Parsley extract and Chamomilla Flower, the Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy Green Cushion has won over fans with its satin finish, buildable coverage, and strong fixing adherence supported by a triple fitting system. It features a unique airless pump that keeps application hygienic and waste-free, a first of its kind in the world of K-beauty cushions.

- Best Concealer -

The Saem - Cover Perfection Tip Concealer

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - The Saem

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Leave it to an iconic product to snag the prize. The Saem’s Cover Perfection Tip Concealer is designed to effortlessly conceal blemishes, dark circles and discoloration, providing a natural flawless finish that lasts all day. The hydrating formula also controls sebum to keep skin looking matte and smooth without clogging pores, smudging or fading throughout wear. Trust in this makeup bag staple to improve skin texture and diminish fine lines, perfecting every one of your MOTDs.

- Best Foundation -

Etude House - Zero Sebum Drying Powder

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Etude House

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: The Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder zaps oiliness and greasiness in an instant. It’s made with 80% minerals that make the skin look clear, smooth and silky, thanks to Sugar Polymer that controls excess sebum and Cotton extract to reinforce the skin barrier. Whether you’re applying a light dusting or baking your beat, this fine powder sets everything in place for hours on end. Plus, you can even use this versatile formula as a dry shampoo or eye primer in a pinch.

- Best Blush -

HOUSE OF HUR - Moist Ampoule Blusher

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - HOUSE OF HUR

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Taking liquid blusher to new heights is the HOUSE OF HUR Moist Ampoule Blusher. This light and moist blush formula can be likened to a skincare essence; it helps you achieve a soft fresh-faced flush of color while hydrating the skin and delivering a dewy glow. Airy and weightless, the blush melts into the skin and blends sans patchiness to complete your makeup look - after one use, you’ll want to say goodbye to your heavy, cakey blushes for good.

- Best Highlighter & Shading -

Unleashia - Get Loose Glitter Gel Mini

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: A star like yourself deserves to shine bright, and the Unleashia Get Loose Glitter Gel Mini elevates any makeup look to help you stand out from the crowd. Packed with multi-dimensional supercharged glitters, these multipurpose gels can be used on the face, hair and body to add dimension and depth. They’re sweatproof and waterproof, meaning they’ll hold up through any occasion, event or party.

- Best Eyeshadow -

Unleashia - Pretty Easy Glitter Stick

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: As its name suggests, it’s ever-so-easy to achieve a showstopping look with the Unleashia Pretty Easy Glitter Stick. This foolproof eyeshadow stick is loaded with super-fine glitters that swipe onto the skin and blend out softly. You’ll spot Vitamin C, E and Aloe Vera on its ingredients list; these components serve to protect, soothe and moisturize the sensitive eye area. They can be used on the eyes for a glimmering look, or even as highlighter on the cheeks, nose, inner corner and brow bone.

- Best Makeup Palette -

Unleashia - Glitterpedia Eye Palette

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: You no longer have to dip into several palettes to achieve the eye looks of your dreams - the Unleashia Glitterpedia Eye Palette does it all. Kitted out with mattes, shimmers and glitters of varying textures, all you need is one palette to achieve your daily MOTDs and eye-catching party looks. Of course, that’s just a figure of speech; the extensive lineup of alluring color stories will have you collecting every palette in the lineup.

- Best Eyeliner -

KARADIUM - Movie Queen Pen Eyeliner

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - KARADIUM

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: When a product nabs an award for the second time in a row you can be sure it’s nothing short of impressive, and the KARADIUM Movie Queen Pen Eyeliner exceeds all expectations of how an eyeliner should perform. The waterproof and long-wearing formula is dispensed through a fine-tipped pen, creating bold and impactful lines in a matter of strokes. The best part? It washes away with just warm water whenever you choose to remove it.

- Best Mascara -

Etude House - Dr. Mascara Fixer

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Etude House

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: If you’re fed up with straight, drooping lashes, the ultimate fix is the Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer. It’s meant to be applied as a base before mascara to keep lashes curled and held in place, courtesy of its powerful wax formula, in addition to prolonging the wear of any mascara applied on top. From ‘where?’ to ‘wow!’, this fixer is sure to quickly become a part of your daily makeup routine.

- Best Eyebrow -

Unleashia - Shaper Pomade Eyebrow Fixer

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: The Stylevana Family is besotted with the Unleashia Shaper Pomade Eyebrow Fixer for too many reasons to count, but we’ll list a few: the strong-hold eyebrow pomade lifts and holds the most stubborn of eyebrow hairs in place without ever feeling crunchy or stiff. It’s enriched with Rice, Soybean Seed and Perilla Leaf extracts to treat the brows and skin, and once it dries down, the brows maintain a natural matte appearance.

- Best Lip Makeup -

Unleashia - Non-Sticky Dazzle Tint

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Pumped full of nourishing Olive, Rosehip, Jojoba and Avocado oils, the Unleashia Non-Sticky Dazzle Tint does exactly that: it dazzles. The beloved formula glides onto the lips to offer juicy pigmentation with a delicate shimmer running through it, coupled with a luscious glass-like sheen. Upon application the lips are subtly plumped and kept hydrated all day long.Because it’s non-sticky, you don’t have to worry about your hair getting caught in your lip on a windy day.

Catch up on the End-of-Year VANA Awards 2023 for the 13 best Korean skincare products and don’t miss the coming Hair & Body breakdown! Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!