The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) successfully hosted the “K-Beauty Makeup Class on Tour” on 16 and 17 October, a two-day hands-on workshop led by leading Korean makeup artists. Designed to introduce the creativity, professionalism and aesthetic principles behind Korean beauty culture, the event received an enthusiastic response from participants in London.

Dr Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, highlighted the meaning of the programme: “K-Beauty is not simply a makeup style; it is a cultural expression shaped by Korean aesthetics. Its refined sense of beauty resonates internationally. Through this workshop, we hoped participants in the UK could experience the sensibility, elegance and artistic philosophy embedded in Korean beauty.”

K-Beauty: A Global Cultural Expression

K-Beauty has expanded far beyond cosmetic techniques to become a cultural content representing Korea’s sophisticated aesthetic values and contemporary lifestyle. Built around the principles of natural harmonyand respect for individual identity, K-Beauty continues to gain global attention, particularly among younger generations.

This workshop offered London participants a meaningful opportunity to experience the authentic techniques, artistry and philosophy of Korean beauty firsthand.

Programme Highlights and Artist Participation

The “K-Beauty Makeup Class on Tour” introduced trend-driven Korean makeup skills and personal colour-based styling methods, with participants receiving tailored feedback from professional artists as they discovered styles that best suited their individual features.

The workshop was led by two artists from Amorepacific:

- Jin-su Lee, Master Makeup Artist at HERA, known for shaping the brand’s signature concepts and trends. He is also the author of Makeup Eyes, former Head Makeup Director for Project Runway Korea, and currently serves as a judge on the Coupang Play series Just Makeup.

- Woo Soo-hyun, professional makeup artist with extensive experience in editorial, brand and educational settings.

Drawing on their rich expertise, both artists introduced participants to the latest K-Beauty trends and practical techniques, offering an engaging learning experience rooted in contemporary Korean aesthetics.

The programme consisted of:

- Introduction to Korean beauty and foundational makeup theory

- Personal colour analysis and application techniques

- Hands-on practice exploring K-Beauty trends

Participants noted that “K-Beauty is not only a trend but an art form infused with culture and philosophy,”expressing appreciation for the opportunity to experience it directly.

A Community-Based Cultural Exchange Programme

The workshop was offered free of charge, with all participants receiving a small gift and the opportunity to experience K-Beauty products provided by Korean brands.

The “K-Beauty Makeup Class on Tour” was presented as part of Touring K-Arts, a global cultural exchange initiative supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismand the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).

Touring K-Arts brings Korean cultural professionals to communities around the world, enabling local participants to directly encounter Korean artistic content. This programme once again highlighted the creativity and artistic value of the Korean beauty industryon the international stage.