What does your hair look like?  Is it Long, Straight, and Black/Black with Brown Highlights) ?  If you have the same hair that you did in pictures 5 years ago, perhaps you need to change it up.  Add some excitement to your look!

I’ve had the long,straight, magic perm, dyed hair for most of my life.  It can get old real fast… especially when all the other Asian girls look exactly like you from the back.  Hair is one of the easiest ways to give you a new style.  It’s a really simple, quick, and fun way to change your look.

Hair Styling:
If you’re scared of commitment, you can easily change your look by playing around with Hair Ties, Clips, and Bobby Pins.  I love a Half Up/Half Down look. Punk up a Ponytail with some hairspray. Put it in a chic chignon (aka a bun).  Do the Twist… A French Twist! At the very least, grab a headband and you’ll instantly change your look.

For those that are more adventurous, there are countless options to add some flair to your hair:

BANGS:
Bangs are a great look. Make sure you find the right style for your face shape.
Here is a site that tells you what cut works for you
*http://www.beauty-and-the-bath.com/Perfect-Side-Bangs-For-Your-Face-Shape.html

Click Here for a more in-depth review on bangs     *http://www.visual-makeover.com/face.htm

HAIRCUTS:
Cutting your hair can drastically change your look.  You can add some layers if you usually have it all one length. It can give you a lighter, flirtier, fun look.  Try cutting off a few inches to give yourself a cleaner look.
- If you alway have long hair, try giving yourself a medium length haircut.
- If your hair is by your shoulders, cut it even shorter!
- An angled look is something that has become a lot more popular and I think looks really great (Think Rihanna and Victoria Beckham)

HAIR COLOR:
Changing your hair color is a great way to change your look. Long gone are the days of using Sun-In to lighten your hair.
- Adding a few highlights can brighten your face.  Add some more and it can dramatically change your look.
- You can change your hair color temporarily by using glazes or getting a hair “coating”
- When changing your hair color for the first time, it’s recommended to get it done by a professional
- There are a lot of really good at-home hair dyes. I tend to like the Loreal Preference, but there are a ton that you can try. *Because Asians have dark hair, the color you buy may not show up on your hair.  If you’re trying to cover gray, at-home kits should be fine. If you’re trying to go from black to brown/blonde, it may be better to go to a salon.

PERMS:

- Digital Perm- Popular in Korea for giving a loose, natural wave to hair

- Magic Perm/Japanese Straightening- Stick straight shiny hair. Think Jennifer Aniston hair. Many Asians have this hair

- Brazilian Perm- Doesn’t last as long as Magic Perm, but similar results.

You can click Here to try out some virtual makeovers on yourself.
*http://www.instyle.com/instyle/makeover/?action=showMakeover&tab=hair&hairId=2510&xid=homepagetryon

Lots of women are extremely attached to their hair.  It’s almost like a security blanket f or some women….  Ladies, it’s time to grow up and not fear change or being different!

Try something new.  Have some fun! It’s only hair~ It’ll grow back!!!  In the end, it doesn’t matter what type of hair you have. As long as you’re happy with the hair you have, that’s all that matters.

And for those of you that are thinking I have the same typical Asian hair as everyone else…  I went from Long,Brown, Straight hair that went to my back and chopped it off to my ears.  It’s now grown to my shoulders… and I’m loving every stage of it!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

Our own Irene Kim was featured recently on the popular blog “I Am Korean American.”  It’s a website dedicated to showcasing a diversity of Korean Americans.  Each day they profile someone like yourself, and Irene was one of the lucky ones.  Do you know Irene?  What 5 words describe Irene?

5 words to describe me: Loud, Sassy, Sarcastic, Optimistic, Fun
Nicknames: Non-Stop and Asian Fury

Irene Kim is our resident makeup artist and beauty expert.  There’s a reason why Fashion Week calls on her.  Click here to see Irene’s profile at I am Korean American.

Since the Wonder Girls are such a popular topic on Korean Beacon and have made history by being the first Korean pop group to make it big in the U.S., I will be showing you how to do a makeup look based on their hit video “Nobody”. The look is very Sixties style~ The Eyes are the standouts here.

I tried to do a quick and informative video that you could use minimal products to get a whole new look.  I used the Too Faced Natural Eye Palette to create the look.  I love this palette because you can do sooo many different things and create a ton of looks with this one kit.  I find that most Asians like a natural look, so this is a great kit to use for an everyday look, but can also be used to create many different dramatic looks.

The Too Faced Natural Eye Palette contains:

• 3 Large Eye Shadows (Heaven- A light Nude Matte, Silk Teddy- A Pinkish/Champagne Shimmer, Nude Beach- A Champagne Shimmer w/ Gold Flecks)
• 3 Medium Toned Eye Shadows (Velvet Rolver- A Taupe Matte, Push-Up- A Coppery Shimmer, Honey Pot- A Gold Shimmer)
• 3 Dark Toned Eye Shadows (Sexpresso- A Dark Brown Matte, Erotica- A Grayish Brown w/ Hints of Gold Shimmer, Cocoa Puff- A Reddish Brown w/ Hints of Gold Shimmer)

You can use the Eye Shadows in so many different ways. There are three cards that gives you directions to create a Day, Classic, and Fashion look.  You can also use the Heaven as a base for other eye shadows, the Silk Teddy and Nude Beach as Highlighters on the Cheeks, and the Velvet Revolver for Contouring.

If I were to recommend one Eye Shadow Kit for everyone, this is it.  It’ll last you forever, It’s a good price, convenient, So easy to use, and is a great all in one kit.

If you’d rather read or get more details on the look, you can go to: http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com/2010/02/wondergirls-nobody-inspired-makeup-too.html

So get yourself one of these kits and try out my “Wonder Girls Inspired Makeup Look” so that everyone will want “Nobody but you!” =)

*~ Have a Beautiful Day!~*

http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com
http://irenekimmakeup.com

Attention all Ladies,
Please make sure you have eyebrows!!!

There are a lot of perks to being Asian.  One of them is the fact that we are generally a lot less hairy than other cultures. This saves a lot of time and pain when it comes to waxing, tweezing, shaving.

Unfortunately, this can also mean that we have a lot less hair in
places where we would like…. such as our eyebrows.

There are so many women that don’t know the importance of eyebrows.  Eyebrows brings attention to the eyes and help to frame the face.  They can change your look- From Natural, to sophisticated, to dramatic.  Eyebrows are a quick and easy way to give yourself a new look.

For you Eyebrow Virgins that have never plucked or waxed your eyebrows, I suggest getting them professionally waxed or threaded. (Find places that are highly recommended… Do your research. You don’t want to have someone mess up your eyebrows. Tell them you want a natural look).

For you over-pluckers, I suggest putting away your tweezers and letting your eyebrows grow in. While you’re growing them in, you can pluck the stray hairs growing in way below your eybrow so that it looks clean.

If you’ve been plucking for years, there are eyebrow serums that help your eyebrows grow in faster. While you’re waiting for your eyebrows to grow in, you can draw them in.

When drawing in your eyebrows, I like to use a light taupe/ brown eye shadow (Depending on your hair color). You can also use eyeliners/ eyebrow pencils if you’re more comfortable, but I feel that using the eyeshadow and a brow brush gives a much more natural look.

* When drawing in your eyebrows, make sure you start with a much lighter color than you would expect. If the color is too dark, your eyebrows can look strange and fake.

There are also eyebrow kits that contain stencils. If you find this to be easier, they can be very useful and you can create many different looks.

I suggest going to Sephora or a store where you can try them out first to see how you like them. I’ve used the Anastasia Brand and think they can work well for people who aren’t comfortable filling in their brows on their own.

Always start light and you can fill in the rest on your own.  When filling in brows, always draw in short, light strokes, so it looks like hair… and not like a 3 year old drew a line on your face

So ladies, whether you have too much hair on your eyebrows, or too little hair on your eyebrows, please get those babies cleaned up!  It only takes a little effort, but makes such a big difference!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

Are you a Blissful girl?  Are you more of a Natural Beauty?  Or are you always Tipsy?

These are a few of the colors of Tarte Cheek Stains. It is a gel blush that is quick and easy, and leaves you with a gorgeous glow.

I would say that generally, Koreans like more of a natural look.  They want the benefits of makeup, but don’t want to look like they’re wearing a lot.

If you want  beautiful natural cheeks that looks like you’re glowing from within, Tarte Cheek Stains are my pick for you.

The Tarte T5 Super Fruit Complex™ is a proprietary blend of the five most active superfruits: goji, açaí, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate. The first blend of its kind, the T5 Super Fruit Complex™ is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant-rich nutrients, and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, antiaging, and skin-restorative benefits with each application. It contains a natural fragrance and is free from preservatives, paraben, sulfate, phthalate, and mineral oil. Dermatologist-tested.

In keeping with Tarte’s eco-friendly efforts, they’ve partnered with Sambazon, creators of the Sustainable Açaí Project—an initiative to promote positive change in the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions, and educational opportunities through the sustainable management of the Açaí Palm tree. Açaí is an antioxidant-rich super fruit that helps fight free radicals, promotes cell regeneration, has known anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties, and combats premature signs of aging.

The gel formula gives a dewier look in comparison to powder blushes.  The stain goes on very sheer, but can be used to create a deeper look.  It also has a nice fruity scent.

I used this for my first video (COMING SOON!) and my friends fell in love with it.  I use this blush for both professional and private use. It’s one of my favorites!

You can check out a little more detailed review on my blog by clicking HERE.

It’s natural, easy to use, contains ingredients that are good for your skin, and is eco-friendly! What more could you ask for?

So pick up the right Cheek Stain for you and have a glowing day!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

A common problem I see among Asian women is their two-toned face.  Their face will be one color, but their neck is another color. Another is that they don’t choose the right shade for their skin tone.

This can happen very easily because most people’s faces are lighter than their body because they’re wearing sunscreen.

*If you’re not wearing sunscreen daily, start now! Even in the winter, you should be wearing AT LEAST SPF 15!

In order to fix this problem, there are a few quick fixes:
Tinted Moisturizer- This is the lightest formula- It gives light coverage and evens out skin tone.  I never used to use Tinted Moisturizer, but I’ve recently started and am very happy with the results. It’s great for people who don’t want to spend a lot of  time and want a natural look.
* Tinted Moisturizer is great because it’s quick and easy- You can get moisturizer, foundation, and SPF in one.
My favorite Tinted Moisturizers are Laura Mercier, Josie Maran, and Hourglass.

Foundation- There are many different formulas. Play around at a Sephora or Cosmetics Counter and find out what’s best for you.
Creme Foundation: Creme formulas are recommended for older skin because they reduce the appearance of fine lines (while powder formulas can settle into wrinkles).  I like the texture of Creme foundation and think it gives good coverage.  I prefer M.A.C. and Motives for creme formulas.
Powder Foundation: Powder Foundation is great for Oily Skin.  I personally prefer other formulas before Powder, but people love Bare Minerals. I prefer Benefit and M.A.C. Studio Fix
Liquid Foundation: Liquid foundation applies very smoothly and can give a lot of coverage with a little product.  The ultimate liquid foundation is Makeup Forever H.D.  Your skin will look amazing.

Concealer- Many people put on concealer before foundation, but I like to put it on afterwards.  Most of the time, foundation will do the trick. If you have blemishes, you can add the tiniest amount of concealer on top of the foundation and blend with a blending brush.  Set with powder.

Powder/Bronzer- If you find that your face is lighter after putting on all your makeup, you can dust on a darker powder or use a bronzer.  Start light and add more as you go. It’s always  easier to add more makeup than to correct mistakes.

Self-Tanner-  I hope you ladies are not tanning (Skin cancer, Wrinkles, Leathery skin are a few reasons to avoid it)
Instead, buy a bottle of Self-Tanner.  I like the Daily Self-Tanners from Jergens and Banana Boat and Clarins
Tips:
* When looking for makeup, make sure you are in good lighting. Flourescent lighting is the worst.
* If you have trouble finding the right color for your skin, go to a professional and have them pick out a color for you (but make sure they pick the right one…. just because they work there doesn’t mean they know makeup)
* You’ll probably need different foundation depending on the season

So I hope these tips are helpful and you will have flawless, perfect looking skin!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

Koreans in Korea are apparently huge fans of plastic surgery, but we
don’t need to go to such extreme measures.  All you need is a little
makeup, a little practice, and I think you’ll be pleasantly
surprised with the results.

Contouring is a trick that Makeup Artists use to create slight to
dramatic changes .  It’s like plastic surgery without the surgery.  So
before you decide you want a nose job, try these tips and tricks to
help you get the nose you’d like.

What you need:
A Makeup shade darker than your natural skin tone
Blending Brush/ Fingers

In order to contour, you need something darker to create depth. You can use foundation or powder.

I use foundation on my clients, but have recently started using a taupe eyeshadow on myself.

You can also use a brown matte Eyeshadow or Bronzer.

* The darker you go, the more dramatic the effect.

Step 1
- If using foundation, use a thin brush or your finger to create a
straight line from where your eye starts to the tip of your nose and
curve in towards nostrils. Repeat on the other side.
* If you want a more dramatic look, you can start from the top of the
eyebrow and work your way down.
* Take a Blending Brush (a small to medium sized brush) and blend in
small circles
-  If using a powder formula, you can do the same with a brush or your finger.  I find that the powder formula is less work, but make sure you have the right color for your skin tone.

Step 2
- Take a lighter foundation/powder and put on the outside of your nose (Where it curves).
- You can add the lighter color to the top of your nose and blend
(Approximately from eye level to tip).

Step 3
- To create High Cheekbones, find where your cheekbone is and put
darker foundation/powder right below.
* To find your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks (Make a Fish Face) and feel for where the bone is.
- Blend foundation with Blending Brush in small circular motions.
- For more contrast, take a lighter foundation (or one that’s your
exact shade) and put directly from where your cheekbone ends.  Blend with a larger Powder/Blush Brush.

Step 4
- To create more definition, put the darker foundation/powder right
underneath your face (from ear to chin)
- Blend foundation with Blending Brush
- To hide a double chin, use bronzer (or darker foundation/powder) on double chin and blend from side to side

Remember- It’s all in the blending!
It may take some practice (and you’ll probably be surprised when you first look like Simba with the darker foundation), but with the right blending brush and a little work, you will look fabulous… without the surgery!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day!~*

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

As a makeup artist, I find that one of the biggest complaints Asian women have is their lashes… or the lack thereof.  One simple product that can help you with this problem: Loreal Double Extend Mascara.

This is a product I highly recommend for Asians that have no lashes or want even longer ones. These will give you the look of false
eyelashes without the mess and time.  You can use the white primer and build up to the desired effect. I say go as long as you can go!  You’ll be amazed with the long set of lashes that you can get with this baby.

I especially recommend using this on the bottom lashes, as many Asians have non-existent bottom lashes. I usually add 2-3 coats of the white primer and 1-2 coats of mascara for typical Asian lashes.

* Makeup Artist Tip: If your lashes are so short that you end up smearing mascara all over, you should buy a mini fan brush. Using the mini fan brush as a brush lets you get closer to the lashes without smearing. You can use a painting motion on top of the lashes, or start at the ends of lashes and work your way to the roots.

For a more in-depth review of the mascara, you can take a look at my website :
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com/2009/10/loreal-double-extend-mascara.html

I hope you love this product as much as I do and it gives you the long lashes that you weren’t born with!

Let me know what other beauty questions you may have!

-iRene

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Hi Everyone,

My name is Irene Kim and I’m a Certified Free-Lance Makeup Artist.

Every Thursday, we at Korean Beacon will be doing a Beauty Segment geared towards Koreans/Asians.  I’m sure you have lots of questions about makeup/skin care as a Korean-American. Let me help you find some answers!

Lashes as straight as uncooked Naeng Myun (Buck Wheat Noodles)? Skin as Oily as an old plate of Sam Gyup Sal (Pork Belly)?  Want to get Ssan Gga Peul Soo Seul ( Eyelid Surgery) but are too
scared (or broke)?  I will help you answer these and many of your other beauty questions
and conundrums!

I will also be doing You Tube Makeup Tutorials. If you would like a specific look addressed (or are brave enough to be a model), please contact me at:
iRenekim.makeup (at) gmail.com

You can also see some of my work at my Website and Blog.

http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com

I’m very excited to be a part of Korean Beacon. I think this is the
beginning of a BEAUTIFUL relationship. I’ll be seeing you soon!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*