Now, I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a beauty enthusiast, but I’ve most definitely spent my fair share of time going through the odd makeup tutorial marathon. And of course with the gift of procrastination that is Instagram, the world is your oyster...and clearly by world I mean the explore page. However, despite my fascination, two minutes into a 10-minute long “natural” makeup tutorial video, I’m exhausted. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though, and it comes in the form of K-Beauty.

Seven years ago, South Korea’s first export made a resonating impact in the West, an export that has very much become an integral part of the beauty industry today. BB cream, the product of innovative thinking and advanced technology, created a ripple in the beauty industry and was essentially what started the whole movement. While not as renowned as skincare is, it is definitely gaining traction around the world.

With the global domination K-Pop has achieved, Korean skincare has become nothing short of a phenomenon at the moment. However, that’s just one renowned aspect of the power couple that forms the K-Beauty movement. Since skincare is such a vital part of taking care of one’s appearance, with more emphasis being put on skincare as opposed to makeup, beauty in terms of makeup tends to be quite minimal. Light, natural looks are much more popular as compared to a full on heavy face of makeup. Now, I don’t know about you, but, as a lazy person who is a rookie at best when it comes to makeup, this is music to my ears.

Whether it be baking (I’ve yet to understand the true purpose of this), setting your makeup, or drawing on the perfect eye line, I don’t have the knowledge or the patience for any of it. Add a busy schedule that I’m always late to into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a “bare minimum” makeup routine. The magic of K-Beauty, though, is that while it caters to keeping things minimal and natural, it manages to be fuss-free and convenient at the same time! Which is why, like a knight in shining armor if you will, I have compiled a list of products that are basically a lazy girl’s best friend. These products are not only quick and easy to use, they do not condemn you to the trap of makeup brushes!

Innisfree Longwear Cushion

This cushion was one of the very first cushions I was introduced to when I first dipped my toe in the pond of K-Beauty. This was mainly because it was one of the few K-Beauty brands that actually offered shades that went further than slightly tan, white skin. It very quickly rose to the top of my favorite lists, and I can very confidently say that I will be using this product for a very long time. The formula of the cushion itself is so light and it doesn’t feel like I’m piling anything on my skin at all! Another added bonus is that the coverage this cushion provides is, while not full, pretty impressive. So for days when you aren’t necessarily going for an airbrushed finish, this cushion is definitely for you.

MAC Lightful C Cushion

Here we have another gem in the world of cushions. If you want to look like you weren’t up until 3 a.m. binge-watching a series, this cushion is definitely for you. Designed to give your skin a radiant and youthful finish, that’s exactly what it manages to deliver. I do think their shades are a bit more extensive given how they are more of an international brand, so that’s definitely a major plus already. Once again, with this cushion you wouldn’t really need to reach for a concealer either. As you may have noticed a pattern, I like products that allow you to alleviate an extra step.

Berrisom Oops Tint Cheek Cushion

This is one product that I have used every single day since purchase, without fail. The color is beautiful, natural, and bright at the same time. It can even be applied to your lids as a creamy eyeshadow without looking out of place. It comes in the form of a cushion, so you literally just have to squeeze the tube and dab it onto your face. I find this to be a great plus since you not only get to control how much goes on your face, you don’t end up wasting any product. The cushion formula also allows it to integrate into your makeup perfectly and doesn’t look cakey or out of place.

TonyMoly Panda’s Dream Dual Lip and Cheek Tint

Photo From:  About Beauty Blog — Photo From: About Beauty Blog

I cannot emphasize just how much of a godsend this product is. It’s two products in one, with the benefit of the a moisturizing lip tint. I am not going to lie and say that the packaging wasn’t the reason I reached for it, but it just so turns out that it was a great product as well! For the people who aren’t used to, or can’t be bothered to buy blush as an extra product, this is perfect. Plus it’s just so compact, it's easy to carry around with you for a simple touch-up throughout the day.

SON&PARK Power Volume Mascara

One of the most frustrating and time consuming steps in a makeup routine is definitely eyeliner, which is why mascara that manages to make your lashes look full and give your eyes that extra zing is the true MVP. This mascara doesn’t just manage to give depth to and allow your eyes to look bright. It manages to stay waterproof while not appearing dry or crunchy at the same time. The packaging isn’t too fancy or great, but, as we all know, never judge a book by its cover.

Etude House Drawing Eye Brow

Blessed with full eyebrows (maybe even a little too blessed), I don’t reach for this product as often. However, there are some times when I think part of my brow looks a bit too sparse, and I’m feeling a bit more active than usual, I add this in to my routine. Due to its simplistic design it’s quite easy to use when you’re in a rush. What I also love is, thanks to the added ingredient of Vitamin E, how soft and natural it makes your brows look.

A’Pieu Lasting Lip Tint

Going with a minimal, all natural kind of look has also made me realize just how much of a difference a bright lip makes. It can make anyone look like they’ve slept a full eight hours and managed to stay well hydrated. I purchased this tint after reading reviews and hearing people rave about it constantly, and it definitely lived up to the hype. As opposed to the usual watery formula I’m used to, this was more of an oil-based tint. This definitely helps your lips feel less parched and makes it much harder to either be licked off or just disappear over the course of a day. While I’m not too much of a fan of the chemical-like scent, it’s quite a no nonsense product that requires little to no touch up at all!

These are just a few products that I have tried and have found them super easy to use when in a rush or when you feel lazy (it’s almost always the latter in my case). Through doing the bare minimum, these products allow you to create a natural, put-together look that doesn’t make it seem like you just rolled out of bed. While many of us seem to associate K-Beauty to high maintenance (shout out to the 10-step routine), it actually caters to people who need something that’s a bit less time consuming as well. So there you have it, a rookie’s guide by a fellow rookie on how to get away with being lazy, yet flawless, with K-Beauty.

A Rookie’s Guide to Making K-Beauty Your Best Friend