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 Mid-Year VANA Awards 2023 for the 13 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 -

MEMEBOX - PONY EFFECT Stay Fit Base Primer

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - MEMEBOX

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Primer is the first step to smooth, long lasting base makeup, and the MEMEBOX PONY EFFECT Stay Fit Base Primer assures a clean canvas for makeup to apply effortlessly. It comes in a trio of versions to address different skin concerns: the Pore Primer blurs the pores and evens out skin texture, the Radiance Primer brightens the skin tone with a natural tone-up effect, and the Correcting Primer cancels out redness with a mint tint.

- Best Foundation -

CLIO - Kill Cover Founwear Foundation SPF30 PA+++

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - CLIO

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: You wouldn’t be able to pick out just one killing point of the CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Foundation SPF30 PA+++ because it’s a smash hit in its entirety. It breaks the mold and defies all expectations of what a full coverage foundation feels and performs like; instead of being heavy and cakey, it’s thin, lightweight, and adheres to the skin as if you were wearing nothing, in part thanks to its semi-matte skin-like finish. The formula conceals blemishes and hyperpigmentation smoothly, promising to stay on for up to 72 hours.

- Best BB & CC Cream -

Farm Stay - All-In One Snail Sun BB Cream SPF 50+ PA+++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Farm Stay

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: A single product providing the skin-perfecting benefits of Snail Mucin, concealing skin tone unevenness AND shielding the complexion from damaging sun rays? The Farm Stay All-In One Snail Sun BB Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ is just that good. Not only is it a makeup base product, but it also boasts a bevy of skin benefits including brightening, improving elasticity, and smoothing out wrinkles; you’ve got the skincare ingredients on its list - Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Adenosine - to thank.

- Best Cushion -

SCINIC - Enjoy All Round Airy Sun Cushion EX SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SCINIC

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: If you’ve yet to experience the wonders of a sun cushion, specifically the SCINIC Enjoy All Round Airy Sun Cushion EX SPF50+ PA++++, you’re seriously missing out. Every pat of the weightless, white cast-free formula upon the skin imparts a cooling sensation that relieves inflamed and irritated skin. It’s formulated with Herb Cooler, Aqua Ceramide, and Tanaka extract to moisturize and protect all skin types of all ages - read: perfect for the entire family.

- Best Concealer -

SKINFOOD - Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKINFOOD

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Dark circles meet their match with the SKINFOOD Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream. The ingenuity of this color correcting eye cream is two-fold: first, its peachy tint is intended to cancel out the blue and purple undertones of undereye circles, balancing out the overall appearance. Secondly, Salmon Roe extract is one of its key ingredients that helps brighten the skin over time, which means while applying it now will mask those panda eyes, it also treats the concerned area in the long run.

- Best Powder -

VT - Essence Sun Pact SPF50+ PA+++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - VT

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: The sunscreen love undoubtedly runs fierce within our STYLEVANA community because the VT Essence Sun Pact SPF50+ PA+++ has taken home the most unexpected of awards. Housed in an adorable blue case is a Centella Asiatica and Peptide-enriched sun essence that refreshes the skin and ward off signs of aging. Light and non-sticky, it applies without a white cast and doesn’t cause makeup to become cakey when layered on.

- Best Blush -

MEMEBOX - I'M MEME My Custom Blush

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - MEMEBOX

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Don’t you hate it when you apply a blush and it just smacks color across your face without being able to be blended out? The MEMEBOX I'M MEME My Custom Blush is the silky powder blush formula that is the answer to your troubles. Because it’s sheer upon application, it adjusts to your skin tone as if it was made for you. For a stronger flush, the pigmentation is also buildable without looking cakey and powdery, or fading throughout the day.

- Best Highlighter & Shading -

Unleashia - Get Loose Glitter Gel Mini

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Unleashia is known for their outstanding glitter formulas, and the Unleashia Get Loose Glitter Gel Mini certainly don’t disappoint. This range of stunning glitter gels will literally be the highlight of your makeup collection, touting a wide variety of eye-catching glitters of different shades and reflects. Made up of a waterproof and sweat-proof water gel formulation, they’re made to be used on the face, body, and hair. Jazz up your eyeshadow look or create a sparkle on the cheeks for your next party - compliments are sure to follow.

- Best Eyeshadow -

Unleashia - Glitterpedia Eye Palette

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Unleashia

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: You’ve probably already seen the Unleashia Glitterpedia Eye Palette sweeping through your Instagram feed, and now that it’s won the award for Best Eyeshadow, take this as a sign to add one (or more) to your makeup bag. The 9-pan palette range features pressed shadows of buttery mattes, lustrous shimmers, and jaw-dropping glitters of minimal fallout, all packed into cohesive and dynamic color stories. The shadows work together to create multi-dimensional eye looks, so whether you’re doing your MOTD or preparing for a night out, these palettes have got your back.

- Best Eyeliner -

KARADIUM - Movie Queen Pen Eyeliner

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - KARADIUM

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: Be it sleek cat eyes, innocent puppy eyes, or simply tightlining your lashes, the KARADIUM Movie Queen Pen Eyeliner helps you achieve every look you desire. The precise tip draws out bold, pigmented strokes that are both waterproof and smudge-proof, its ink tank technology allowing for even and controlled application. While its formula lasts all day long, it’s still easy to wash off with lukewarm water whenever you choose to remove it.

- Best Mascara -

peripera - Ink Black Cara

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - peripera

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: If anyone asks what falsies you’re wearing, you can just direct them to the VANA Award winner for Best Mascara: the peripera Ink Black Cara. It’s everything you’d want your mascara to be (curling, separating, lengthening, volumizing) while avoiding all the problems typical of mascaras (clumping, flaking, and smearing). Its Strong Curve System technology sweeps the lashes up in one coat, coating each hair evenly and creating an alluring full-fan effect.

- Best Eyebrow -

Etude House - Drawing Eye Brow

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Etude House

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: There’s no beating a crowd favorite: the Etude House Drawing Eye Brow has reclaimed its title of Best Eyebrow, besting an impressive lineup of contenders. Why is it so popular, you ask? There’s nothing better to use to achieve natural, face-framing brows than with this buildable, clump-free pencil. It has a triangle tip that lets you draw precise brow strokes, and the high-adherence powder, wax and oil in its formula ensures your brows remain flawless for hours on end.

- Best Lip Makeup -

Romand - Juicy Lasting Tint

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - Romand

STYLEVANA K-Beauty Review: The Romand Juicy Lasting Tint has taken home the VANA Award for Best Lip Makeup once again, and we’re not the least surprised. By now VANA fans all across the world know about this juicy lip tint formula packing the punch of mouth-watering fruit tones with a glimmering water drop sheen - think fresh fruit glistening with syrup on a summer afternoon. Speaking of syrup, it coats the lips like the sweet glaze, but without any of the stickiness or tack. Its ever-expanding shade range guarantees a perfect personal shade for everyone.

Catch up on the Mid-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!