Ultimate Korean Vocabulary List related to Makeup, Beauty and Cosmetics
Korean beauty culture is famous worldwide. Even if you are not learning Korean, watching K-dramas or listening to Kpop, you have probably heard about Korean cosmetics at least once in your lifetime. I started using Korean cosmetics back in 2010, and 90% of what I used today is Korean. I try to order it directly from Korea as I’ve noticed ingredients may vary for the same product produced for the overseas market specifically.
So, here’s a detailed list of vocabulary you will need if you intend to dive deeper in the the world of Korean skincare and makeup.
Why Learn Beauty Vocabulary?
Beauty vocabulary also appears in TOPIK reading passages about culture and daily life. It’s also useful for:
- Understanding Korean beauty content
- Shopping for cosmetics in Korea
- Talking with Korean friends about Korean beauty products
- Working in beauty-related fields
- Maybe creating your own skincare brand one day
Essential Makeup Vocabulary
Basic Makeup Items:
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 화장품품 | cosmetics, makeup | hwajangpum |
2 | 파운데이션 | foundation | paundeisyeon |
3 | 컨실러 | concealer | keonsilleo |
4 | 파우더 | powder | paudeo |
5 | 블러셔 | blush | beulleosyeo |
6 | 아이섀도 | aiseyaedo | aiseyaedo |
7 | 마스카라 | mascara | maseukara |
8 | 아이라이너 | eyeliner | airaineo |
9 | 립스틱 | lipstick | ripseutik |
10 | 립글로스 | lip gloss | ripgeulloseu |
Makeup Actions:
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 화장하다 | to put on makeup | hwajanghada |
2 | 바르다 | to apply | bareuda |
3 | 지우다 | to remove | jiuda |
4 | 덧바르다 | to reapply | deotbareuda |
5 | 블렌딩하다 | to blend | beullendinghada |
Skincare Vocabulary
Skincare Products:
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 스킨케어 | skincare | seukinkeeo |
2 | 클렌저 | cleanser | keullenjeo |
3 | 토너 | toner | toneo |
4 | 세럼 | serum | sereom |
5 | 에센스 | essence | esenseu |
6 | 크림 | cream | keurim |
7 | 로션 | lotion | rosyeon |
8 | 마스크 | face mask | maseukeu |
9 | 선크림 | sunscreen | seonkeurim |
10 | 보습 | moisturizing | boseup |
Skin Types:
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 지성 | oily skin | jiseong |
2 | 건성 | dry skin | geonseong |
3 | 복합성 | combination skin | boghabseong |
4 | 민감성 | sensitive skin | mingamseong |
Beauty Tools
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 화장솜 | cotton pad | hwajangsom |
2 | 화장솔 | makeup brush | hwajangsol |
3 | 스펀지 | sponge | seupeonji |
4 | 거울 | mirror | geoul |
5 | 핀셋 | tweezers | pinset |
Colors and Shades
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 색상 | color | saeksang |
2 | 톤 | tone | ton |
3 | 밝은 | Light (color) | balgeun |
4 | 어두운 | dark | eoduun |
5 | 자연스러운 | natural | jayeonseureoun |
6 | 진한 | deep, intense | jinhan |
7 | 연한 | light, pale | yeonhan |
Korean Beauty Terms
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 쿠션 | cushion (foundation) | kusyeon |
2 | BB크림 | BB cream | BB keurim |
3 | CC크림 | CC cream | CC keurim |
4 | 에어쿠션 | air cushion | eeokusyeon |
5 | 글로우 | glow | geullou |
6 | 매트 | matte | maeteu |
7 | 글로시 | glossy | geullosi |
Common Beauty Phrases
# | Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 피부 관리 | skincare | pibu gwalli |
2 | 메이크업 | makeup | meikeueop |
3 | 화장을 지우다 | to remove makeup | hwajangeul jiuda |
4 | 피부 타입 | skin type | pibu taip |
5 | 색을 맞추다 | to match colors | saegeul matchuda |
How to Use This Vocabulary
Practice Sentences:
# | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
1 | 저는 매일 화장을 해요. | I put on makeup every day. |
2 | 이 파운데이션은 자연스러워요. | This foundation is natural. |
3 | 선크림을 바르는 것을 잊지 마세요. | Don’t forget to apply sunscreen. |
Shopping Phrases:
# | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
1 | 이 제품을 추천해요. | I recommend this product. |
2 | 어떤 색상이 좋을까요? | What color would be good? |
3 | 테스트해 볼 수 있나요? | Can I try it? |
Study Tips
- Create flashcards with these vocabulary: Group beauty words together to remember better
- Watch Korean beauty videos on youtube or any other social media: Learn pronunciation and usage
- Practice shopping dialogues: Try to use words in real situations
- Read beauty blogs: See words used in correct context
- Label your products: Write Korean names on your cosmetics products
Beauty vocabulary is practical and fun to learn. Use it in daily life while doing your makeup, watching makeup related content, and it will stick in your memory. Plus, it might just help you on your TOPIK test!
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