MATCH THE K-BEAUTY ERA TO THE SONG
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2 min
Pack your bags, Beauties. We’re rewinding through 10 years of K-Beauty!
Let’s reminisce about each era’s icons, trends and soundtracks! So press play and let’s take it from the very beginning...
Era #1 - THE CLASSICS
2016 | “Closer” - The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
Back in 2016, K-Beauty was making its way into the mainstream and introducing us to a whole new world of skincare. The 10-step routine was everywhere, sheet masks were becoming a weekly ritual, and cushion foundations were changing the way we thought about base makeup.
And if you were living through 2016, chances are you heard “Closer” more times than you could count. It’s the perfect soundtrack for the era that brought K-Beauty closer to our everyday routines.
Era #2 - CICA TAKEOVER
2018 | “Sunflower” - Post Malone & Swae Lee
Centella Asiatica quickly became a K-beauty favourite thanks to its soothing, skin-loving reputation. From creams and ampoules to cleansers and masks.
And what better soundtrack than “Sunflower”? It captures the easygoing energy during the era of Cica - when calming your skin became just as important as making it glow ⭐️
Era #3 — SKIN SOS!
2020 | “Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
If there was ever a song for 2020, it was Blinding Lights. While we were up late scrolling TikTok and stuck at home, K-Beauty became our lockdown ritual.
Maskne was everyones No.1 issue, and suddenly everyone was reaching for soothing toners, barrier creams, acne care and gentle actives. Viral skincare discoveries spread faster than ever, turning TikTok into the latest K-Beauty newsfeed.
Era #4 - GLAZED SKIN GLOW
2022 | “Golden Hour” - JVKE
The Golden Hour aesthetic was basically made for the glazed skin era. K-Beauty took the glass skin obsession and turned the dial all the way up - dewier, plumper and luminous!
Hydrating toners, essences, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin and glow-boosting serums became the ultimate combination for that fresh, juicy finish.
Era #5 - EVERYTHING SHOWER RITUAL
2024 | “Espresso” - Sabrina Carpenter
The everything shower turned body care into a full beauty ritual.
And it all makes sense - Espresso was made for K-Beauty. The same love for layering and intentional routines moved from skincare to hair and body. Hair masks, scalp treatments, body care and fragrance all became part of the ritual.
ERA #6 - THE GRWM EDIT
2026 | “Diet Pepsi” - Addison Rae
Cool, curated and very online. 2026 K-Beauty era is where TikTok decides what’s next.
GRWMs, viral launches, lip peptides, skincare devices and trending ingredients can go from niche discovery to must-have almost overnight. And Diet Pepsi? It fits the effortlessly cool, Y2K-meets-internet-girl energy of beauty right now - where skincare, makeup, fashion and pop culture all blur together.
TIl next time, Beauties
