
As anyone who's done a little bit of selfie-enhancing knows (which, let's be honest, is all of us), the power of the "blur" tool cannot be underestimated. Blemish? Blur it. Fine line? Blend it out. Uneven skin tone? Buff that sh*t into submission.
So wouldn't it be better, one could muse, if it were possible to just blur your skin in real life?
Enter Korea's latest beauty-trend export, aptly called "blurring." It started with the lips, actually—instead of doing a perfectly-painted, lined pout, the trick was to just use a dab of lip color and blend out. (It's more natural-looking—almost like you just ate a lollipop.)
But why not blur the whole face?
"Korean women are finding that in the age of HDTV and up close and personal high-res selfies, your flaws can be clearly seen," explains Charlotte Cho, Korean beauty expert and co-founder of Soko Glam (opens in new tab). "So, it's better to 'blur' out your look a bit—using makeup and foundation to blur your blemishes, pores—but at the same time, keep it natural."
It may sound like a hard concept to execute, but when you break it down, it's actually quite simple.
"It's kind of like making your face look a little cloudy," says Cho. "You're using formulas that disguise fine lines, uneven skin tone, patchy skin, and dark spots, but not so much coverage that you look heavily made up. It's not going to completely cover up that pimple, but it will hide it a bit, making you look bright and natural looking, but not flawless."
That sounds like almost-Beyoncé to us...and we're more than happy to settle.
As far as what you should buy, the market has been infiltrated with blur-stamped options. On the Korean beauty front, Cho recommends Etude House Beauty Shot Blur (opens in new tab) ($15). "It does what a primer is supposed to do," she says. "It creates a smooth canvas, but it adds a bit of luminosity to the formula, so there is slight coverage."
And if you think the blurring technique limits you to products with "blur" on the label, it doesn't. Korean favorites like IOPE Air Cushion XP (opens in new tab) ($33) and the Banila CO CC Melting Foundation (opens in new tab) ($25.99) are essentially the same concept, offering very sheer, light, and natural coverage that still blurs your face of imperfections, says Cho.
Here, see the trend in action:
[youtube align='center']https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSCTr9ybkw[/youtube]
You should also check out:
The Beauty Secrets of K-Pop Stars (opens in new tab)
30 Cult-Favorite Asian Beauty Products You Need in Your Life (opens in new tab)
How to Give Yourself a Korean Beauty Facial Massage in GIFS (opens in new tab)
Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
I Tested the Oura Ring Fitness Tracker Jennifer Aniston Loves—It Knew I Was Getting Sick Before I Did
Learn more about yourself by simply slipping on a ring.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Pearls Are Back for 2023—But These Aren't Your Grandmother's Pearls
Classic, contemporary, and everything in between.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Meghan Markle Made $80K Per Year With The Tig, But Could Make Much More With a Relaunch: Branding Expert
It could be a smart business move for the duchess.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 25 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel-like hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 23 Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023
The gift that keeps on giving—literally.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender