Makeup inspiration from SNSD's Taeyeon

Since debuting as a member of Girls’ Generation in 2007, Taeyeon, who turned 31 today (March 9), has enjoyed great success in South Korea and all over Asia.

Known for her powerful vocals, the leader of Girls’ Generation eventually embarked on a solo career which saw her expand her repertoire to include more musical genres.

Naturally, beauty companies were eager to tap on her appeal, which led the Korean beauty to lucrative beauty campaigns, cementing her status as a beauty icon.

Here's look back at the K-pop star's best beauty looks, plus some tips to create them yourself.

Coppery Rose Eyes

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Rose gold has been all the rage in the beauty world. From South Korea to the Middle East and America, rose gold makeup tutorials have been popping up virtually everywhere we look. This should come as no surprise as it’s a shade that is easily pulled off by anyone, including Asian skin tones.

Take your cue from Taeyeon as she dresses her lids in a melange of rose and coppery eyeshadow in this b.by Banila campaign visual.

To achieve this look on your own, be sure to prep your lids with an eye primer. Next, sweep a rose eyeshadow shade all over your lids, blending it just over the crease. Then, layer on a coppery shade on the centre of your lids to create the illusion of rounder eyes, and dab a tiny bit on the inner corners of your eye to add a touch of sparkle.

To further accentuate your eyes, apply a light brown shade on your lower lash lines and soften the edges. This gives added definition without the harshness of using an eyeliner. Huda Beauty’s Nude Eyeshadow Palette, $100, is a great addition to your makeup stash as it’s versatile enough to allow you to create endless different looks.

Long, Doll-Like Lashes

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The issue that many Asian women have when it comes to mascara application is that their lashes tend to be straight and stubby. Which is why it all comes down to selecting the right tools.

To get droopy lashes to curl and stay lifted, it is important to use an eyelash curler. Squeeze the curler over your lashes evenly throughout the entire length so it forms a natural curl. You can also try a heated lash curler to really lock in the curl so it lasts all day long.

Once your lashes are perfectly curled, it’s time to start applying your mascara. Try Heroine Make Super Waterproof Volume & Curl Mascara, $21.90. Featuring a unique formula that lengthens and thickens without clumping, it also holds lashes in place so they stay lifted all day long.

Chai Lipstick 

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Not quite brown, beige, nude or coral, Taeyeon’s distinct taste in lipsticks has got us totally intrigued.

Turns out, this mauve-brown shade is also reminiscent of the exotic spiced tea, Chai.

We like 3CE Mood Recipe Matte Lip Color in #220 Hit Me Up, $28, which is just a tad brighter than a nude shade yet still neutral enough for a pared down look.

Plus, it warms up those with a cool complexion so you don’t look washed out.

Fresh & Dewy Skin

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Ask anyone to name a single makeup trait to summarise K-beauty and chances are, the answer you get will be a radiant complexion.

Never seen without a flawless complexion that’s plump and dewy, Korean stars, Taeyeon included, seem to have mastered the look, opting for a naturally luminous complexion rather than one that’s harshly contoured and highlighted.

To create the perfect canvas, make sure you prep your skin with a hydrating face cream to lock in moisture.

Then, apply a thin layer of a smoothing primer, which will help fill in pores, fine lines and other irregularities in skin texture.

You can also opt for a tinted primer so that it can also help neutralise any signs of discolouration.

We like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – Illuminating, $77 for 50ml, as it keeps skin hydrated and has a sheer coverage with just a hint of shimmer to make skin glow naturally.

Tightlined Eyes

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If you pay attention, Taeyeon hardly wears strong makeup, but instead, prefers to use light touches to accentuate her natural beauty. From eyeshadows to foundation and even lipsticks, she often prefers a softer look than something that’s more dramatic.

And if you approach makeup in the same way she does, it’s important not to get too heavy-handed, especially when it comes to accentuating your eyes.

Instead of lining your entire eye with a thick black liner, try tight-lining only your upper lash line to subtly define without exaggerating your features.

And choose a soft eye pencil like Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black, $39.

Fusing the precision of a gel liner with the effortless glide of a pencil, it deposits intense, waterproof pigments without tugging at your skin. Best part? The buttery formula gives you just enough time to soften the edges before it sets and stays there until you decide to remove it.

A plump, plum pout

Sure, classic red lips are all the rage but why not opt for a change like Taeyeon did with this fun, violet shade? Plum lips aren’t necessarily gothic – in fact, when paired with light makeup and fierce lashes, it makes you look like you spent extra effort on your look.

We love the Shu Uemura Roige Unlimited Lipstick in WN288, $42, – it’s the perfect satin lipstick that gives great colour payoff and provides intense moisture to your lips throughout the day.

Orange hues

A makeup trend that’s been going around these days is picking a colour and sticking to that colour palette for your entire makeup look. In this case, Taeyeon chose a light shade of sunset orange and chose to let her lids and lips take center stage.

To achieve her warmed-toned eye look, use a fluffy blush and apply Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadow in the shade 6am, $6, to your lids. Once it’s been blended out, use flat, wet brush to apply more pigment to the inner corners to make you look extra awake.

Finish the look off with light coral lips: we absolutely love the Mac Cosmetics Frost Lipstick in CB96, $33, its formula is smooth and creamy, so the lipstick will glide effortlessly onto your lips. Plus, it’s buildable so you can opt for a more natural look in the day and add extra colour to your lips for a date night.

Tickled Pink

If you’re rushing to the office but don’t want to look like you just woke up, the trick is to pop on some blush to give life to your complexion. We love how Taeyeon went for a natural, light pink blush that highlights her high cheekbones and gives colour to her face.

Try the Pretty Vulgar Make Them Blush in Tickled Pink, $41, it’s the perfect pink shade for those with lighter skintones. Use a large blush to sweep the product onto the apples of your cheeks and towards your temples for that flushed, cheeky look.

Light, fluffy brows

While western celebs love thick and super precise brows, K-pop stars usually prefer lighter brows that help frame their faces without making too much of a statement.

Here, Taeyeon is rocking light brown brows, which can be easily achieved with the Nars Brow Perfector in the shade Goma, $38. To create soft and feathery brows like Taeyeon’s, go in with a light hand and follow the natural shape of your brows while creating upward strokes to mimic hairs. Brush them out with a spoolie brush to keep your brows looking natural yet defined.

Stained, red lips

While lipsticks are always the OG, lip stains have become incredibly popular in the K-beauty world as it effortlessly blends into the lips and doesn’t create any harsh lines like a lipstick does.

To achieve the same look that Taeyeon went for here, try the Laneige Stainned Glasstick Lip Stain in Ruby Garnet Red, $34. Formulated to be hydrating and long-wearing, this lippie also has a high-shine finish for nights when you want that extra glam factor.