Learn Legit Korean-Style Makeup Techniques From This Korea-Trained Makeup Artist

I've been there a lot of times before: Getting inspired by a K-drama leading lady's look or a K-pop star's music video and trying to replicate the makeup look on myself, only to end up with a look I've done on myself before, only adding a little more blush under my eyes, or trying to pull off a gradient lip to no avail. Why do Koreans have such a distinct style of makeup—one that can't simply be copied after watching a tutorial on TikTok or Instagram reels? 

As Korea-trained professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma says, it's a very precise technique. Korean makeup is all about the tiny little details we usually skip or pay no attention to. It's not just about doing a haul of the latest K-beauty products; it's time and dedicated effort to training and learning the craft. Koreans do their makeup way differently from us Filipinos, and theirs is also very different from how Westerners do it. If we're all about definition and powerful eyes, you'll notice that Korean makeup is very subtle. It's still your face, just enhanced in a way that's quite hard to tell how it was done. 

K-style makeup by Chuchie Ledesma | Photo by Wilmark JolindonWhile you can go to a Korean salon and get your makeup done by a Korean makeup artist, it's an entirely different story if you yourself know how to do it. That's why we're here to let you in on Chuchie's latest series of classes, the "K-Style Makeup Class" for Filipinos like you and me. 

Just recently, she led a workshop titled “K-style Makeup for Filipinos” in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines. The session featured live demonstrations, hands-on training, and a curriculum designed to reinterpret Korean beauty techniques for the Filipino face and climate.

Having been in the beauty industry for 15 years, Ledesma has worked as a makeup artist and educator for both local and international brands like L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline New York, and The Body Shop Philippines. A breakthrough in her career came in 2023, when she was chosen as a scholar for the prestigious International Intensive Makeup Course at Jung Saemmool Art & Academy in Seoul. A makeup academy founded by Jung Saemmool, a famous South Korean makeup artist and educator who is celebrated for her revolutionary approach to beauty that emphasizes authenticity and natural radiance. She has worked with some of South Korea’s biggest stars, including actresses Tang Wei, Jun Ji-hyun, Song Hye-kyo, and Kim Tae-hee, as well as iconic K-pop artists like Lee Hyori and BoA.

Jung Saem-mool @jungsaemmool11Jung Saemmool is famous for her signature "invisible makeup" technique, which is a method that focuses on creating a flawless, skin-like finish that enhances rather than masks. Her philosophy champions natural beauty that highlights a radiant, healthy-looking complexion over dramatic transformations. This subtle, refined style has not only influenced modern K-beauty standards but has also inspired a new generation of makeup artists worldwide. This includes Ledesma, who trained under her academy and now brings the same philosophy to the local beauty scene.

“I love how Korean makeup artists do their flawless, skin-like base, that’s why I was so eager to bring the techniques home and share it with fellow beauty lovers,” Ledesma shared. “I tweak the techniques I learned there and teach it here to suit the Filipino skin and our climate.”

Her recent workshop with KCC wasn’t just a makeup class. It was also her way of translating everything she learned in Seoul into something practical and personal for Filipinos. More than just copying Korean trends, Ledesma emphasized adaptation by tailoring Korean techniques to better suit Filipino facial features, skin tones, and the tropical climate.

“There were a lot of nuances in the makeup style, say, for example, the use of tone-up creams and lighter foundation shades. I personally don’t use those on clients as much as I could, except for shows, events, or shoots where it is required, here in the Philippines. So I had to find a way to still do the K-style techniques as faithfully as I could while keeping our Filipino features recognizable and even more prominent,” she said. “I was also made to realize that there’s so much mastery in restraint. It’s not about piling on product all at once, but strategic layering. It’s also about putting the spotlight on what’s already beautiful.”

With this newfound mindset, Ledesma began to move away from the techniques she started with. She began to incorporate light-handed, skin-focused application into her personal style and techniques. Distinct K-style applications like layering base products delicately, placing blush on strategic areas to enhance youthful appearance, and treating every detail, from brows to lashes, with thoughtful precision. These principles aligned perfectly with her belief that personal makeup should enhance, not transform—except for instances when transformation is needed like in theater, drag, special effects, and character makeup.

“Makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all,” she said again with conviction. “Our beauty is different, theirs is too. That’s not a challenge but a strength. I am humbled that God equipped me with new skills, through Jung Saemmool Art & Academy, and an entirely fresh perspective to see how different beauty cultures can be mutually elevated and not one up each other.”

What sets Ledesma’s take on K-beauty apart is how deeply it’s grounded in the Philippine context. She doesn’t just teach trends but she adapts them for everyday Filipino realities. Foundations are applied in breathable layers to avoid caking on hot and humid days. Dewy finishes are balanced with strategic oil control. Color selections are carefully curated to flatter deeper skin tones and avoid ashy or overly pale results.

K-Style Makeup Workshop at KCC

“Makeup has to work for your day-to-day living and your distinct facial features. It’s not just for you to look good on camera,” she said. “That’s why I believe in adapting, not just copying.”

This grounded, inclusive approach has resonated with beauty enthusiasts, students, and professionals who’ve long felt overlooked by international beauty standards. By reframing K-style makeup as flexible, accessible, and identity-affirming, Ledesma is not just teaching makeup, she’s reshaping narratives.

More than the artistry, Ledesma’s heart lies in education. As a makeup artist, training consultant, and also beauty and lifestyle journalist, she has spent years helping others understand not just the “how” but the “why” behind makeup. 

“I believe that when you understand the intention behind makeup, you use it with more care, creativity, and confidence,” she said. “You don’t just slap on colors or wear looks just because your favorite celebrity is wearing it. You know why, you know how, and you can use it to your advantage anytime.”

That’s exactly why she recently launched her first-ever “1:1 K-Style Makeup Class”, a personalized learning experience designed to guide beauty lovers through both the “how” and the “why” of makeup. Every session is built to help individuals embrace their unique features and redefine beauty on their own terms.

Ready to learn makeup in a way that celebrates who you are? Sign up for a class and experience beauty that doesn’t ask you to look like someone else. Just the best version of yourself.

Follow @chuchieledesma on Instagram or visit https://bit.ly/3SNTBZF for more information about her classes.