K-Pop idols have popularized countless makeup looks that have taken the world by storm, and recently, a new trend has been dominating the industry. While the latest craze is common among female artists, several male singers have also been spotted flaunting the latest makeup touch.
With fans and beauty enthusiasts eager to recreate the style, this latest trend is quickly becoming a global sensation. Several individuals have shared tutorials on makeup application on social media platforms.
Keep reading to learn about this newest makeup phenomenon among K-Pop idols, its benefits, and how to apply it.
The Rise of K-Beauty in K-Pop
Korean beauty, or K-Beauty, has had a big impact on modern makeup trends. It focuses on skincare and natural, glowing looks but has also embraced bold styles, often seen on K-Pop idols. Unlike Western makeup, which highlights contouring and full coverage, K-Beauty prefers soft colors, dewy skin, and techniques that enhance natural beauty.
K-Pop idols play a huge role in shaping K-Beauty trends. Their ever-changing looks influence fans worldwide, and social media spreads these trends quickly. Korean beauty brands, often collaborating with singers, help bring K-Beauty to a global audience.
BANILA CO Official Instagram
Whether on stage, at events, variety shows, or even at the airport, idols set new beauty trends that inspire fans and makeup artists alike. K-Beauty has undeniably grown internationally, thanks to K-Pop’s expanding worldwide appeal. Therefore, it’s safe to say that K-Pop is a major force in the cosmetics industry.
Previous K-Pop Makeup Trends
K-Pop makeup trends focus on creating a fresh and youthful look while experimenting with bold styles. Over the years, several makeup looks took over the industry.
One of them is the glass skin base. It keeps the face glowing and smooth with dewy, lightweight foundation. Another example is the soft blush draping. It adds a cute, sun-kissed effect by applying blush not just on the cheeks but also on the nose.
unwhitewashed photos of exo will always be my favorite ’cause you will actually see how gorgeous they are and their perfect glass skin. pic.twitter.com/LjdMxsoSO5
— cams (@satowruus) August 27, 2023
For the eyes, puppy eyeliner gives a soft and innocent look by curving the liner slightly downward instead of making a sharp wing. Meanwhile, gradient lips, a signature K-Beauty style, create a natural, just-bitten effect by keeping the color darker in the center and fading it outward.
K-Pop makeup also embraces fun and eye-catching details. Glitter and shimmer accents are used on the inner corners or under the eyes to make them look brighter and more youthful. Bold statement eyes feature bright eyeshadow, creative eyeliner shapes, or small rhinestones for a dramatic effect.
Furthermore, feathery brows keep the eyebrows looking soft and natural rather than overly sharp or heavy. Together, these trends blend natural beauty with artistic expression, making K-Pop makeup stand out worldwide.
##CUT##
The Hottest Makeup Trend in the K-Pop Industry Right Now
Since last year, a new makeup look was increasingly becoming common among K-Pop idols. We’ve all heard about applying blush to the cheeks to add warmth. But the rising trend involves a new way to use blush: spreading it across the nose tip.
aespa Karina Official Instagram
The previous ‘hangover makeup’ craze was about adding a broad touch of red under the eyes, cheeks, and nose bridge. On the other hand, the newest K-Pop makeup trend emphasizes gently adding a color to the tip of the nose. The color is usually similar to what is applied on the cheeks to create a harmonious effect.
TWICE Tzuyu Official Instagram
aespa’s Karina and TWICE’s Tzuyu are among the recent idols flaunting the nose-tip blush technique. In the selfies they shared, both of them used the same blush tone to add warmth to their cheeks and nose tips.
Pink eyeshadow pink blush pink tip of the nose pink lips pink tongue pink knuckles, he is so babydoll pic.twitter.com/fPMEMo7Bu1
— Meow🗝️ (@redhoodedeyes) August 1, 2024
NJZ’s (NewJeans) HaeRin and aespa’s Winter have also adopted the new look. Rather than applying blush across the whole nose, they gently blended it at the tip for a soft, natural flushed appearance.
the blush at the tip of his nose 🩷💞💓💗💕💘💖💝🩷💞💞💗💞💘💘💞🩷💗💝💖💓💘💕💓🩷 pic.twitter.com/un8CTlgRSv
— jas ♡ #boycottjnb (@yeobbunny) May 15, 2024
Besides female K-Pop idols, the new makeup trend has also spread among male artists. Some of them are NCT’s Ten, ENHYPEN’s Jake, OnlyOneOf YooJung, and ONEW Giuk—and fans are loving it.
Why is the Nose-Tip Makeup Trend Taking Over the K-Pop Scene?
Like any other makeup look, the nose-tip blush has essential purposes. First of all, applying blush to the tip of the nose creates a natural, flushed appearance similar to the slight redness experienced on a cold day. This makes the face look fresh and youthful.
aespa Winter Official Instagram
Other than that, the soft blush on the nose tip brightens the center of the face, making features appear rounder and more balanced. It also gives a cute, doll-like effect by mimicking the natural blush of children, which enhances a playful and innocent look.
NJZ Official Instagram
The nose-tip blush also helps create the illusion of a lifted nose tip and a more structured face. It is particularly helpful for those who feel their midface is longer, as it creates a more balanced look. This method even softens sharp facial features, creating a more delicate and radiant appearance.
the blush on the tip of his nose… I’M GONNA SMASH MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL pic.twitter.com/is1SOWdRbD
— riri lovelove (@nightenwalker) February 24, 2025
When combined with a contour along the nostrils and nose bridge, the makeup further refines the face. Meanwhile, adding a subtle highlight between the nose bridge and tip enhances the slightly raised nose effect.
[#ONEWE]
ONEWE 2ND FULL ALBUM
[WE : Dream Chaser]💫 SOLO CONCEPT PHOTO #3 💫
▪ GIUK ▪
2025.03.05 6PM (KST) RELEASE✔#원위 #WE_Dream_Chaser#기욱 #GIUK#별_헤는_밤 #The_Starry_Night pic.twitter.com/Jp5V7gwOBX
— 원위 (ONEWE) (@official_ONEWE) February 24, 2025
The nose-tip blush, matched with dewy skin, gradient lips, and feathery brows, completes a natural and effortless beauty style. That’s why this makeup look has become the latest trend in the K-Pop industry, where idols need to look fresh and glowing both on stage and in close-up shots.
How to Achieve the Nose Tip Blush
The key to mastering this newest K-Pop makeup trend lies in controlled application. Rather than spreading across the whole nose, blush should be placed at the highest point of the nose tip. Also, it must be carefully blended out to achieve a soft, natural look.
This approach prevents the color from being too strong, maintaining a well-balanced and natural effect.
Final Thoughts
The nose-tip blush trend is the latest K-Pop makeup phenomenon. Its ability to enhance facial balance, create a lifted nose effect, and add a soft, playful touch has made it a perfect addition to K-Pop artists’ look.
As more idols showcase this trend on stage, in photoshoots, and on social media, it continues to gain popularity among fans and beauty enthusiasts worldwide. The subtle yet impactful technique complements K-Beauty’s signature youthful and radiant aesthetic.
Whether you’re a longtime K-Beauty fan or just diving into the world of K-Pop-inspired looks, this trend is a must-try for a radiant, effortlessly cute aesthetic.
