What Is Aegyo Sal?
In Korean beauty, there’s one makeup trend that stands out for creating a sweet, youthful, and eye-brightening look: Aegyo Sal (애교살).
Aegyo sal refers to the little puffy area just under your eyes, not to be confused with eye bags (which can make you look tired). When done right, aegyo sal makes your eyes look bigger, brighter, and full of charm—like a smiling doll or a K-pop idol.
This trend is huge in South Korea and across Asia, and now it’s becoming more and more popular around the world.
Why Is Aegyo Sal So Popular?
Aegyo sal is all about enhancing natural cuteness. In Korean culture, youthful charm (known as aegyo) is often admired and associated with innocence, friendliness, and even good luck.
Famous K-pop idols like IU, TWICE’s Sana, and BTS’s Jungkook are often seen with subtle aegyo sal, giving their eyes a lively sparkle that fans love.
Who Can Try Aegyo Sal Makeup?
Anyone can try it! Whether you have monolids, double eyelids, or hooded eyes, aegyo sal can add brightness and dimension to your face.
It’s especially helpful if:
- You want your eyes to look more awake.
- You like cute or soft makeup looks.
- You want to try Korean beauty trends without surgery.
What You Need for Aegyo Sal Makeup
Aegyo sal makeup is simple and quick if you have the right products.
Here’s what you’ll need:
| Product | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Light concealer or highlighter pencil | To brighten and lift the under-eye area |
| Matte or light brown eyeshadow | To create the illusion of a shadow |
| Shimmery eyeshadow or pencil | To highlight the puffy part |
| Angled brush or cotton swab | For precise application |
| Optional: false aegyo sal sticker or tape | For instant puffiness effect |
Step-by-Step: How to Do Aegyo Sal Makeup
Let’s break it down step by step:
Step 1: Prep Your Eyes
Before you apply makeup, make sure your eye area is clean and moisturized. Use an eye cream to reduce puffiness and help makeup go on smoothly.
Tip: If your eyes tend to look puffy, use a cold spoon or eye roller in the morning.
Step 2: Smile to Find the Aegyo Sal Line
Gently smile while looking in the mirror. You’ll see a natural puff appear under your eyes—right under your lower lash line. This is where your aegyo sal will go.
Mark that area lightly with a nude or light pencil if needed.
Step 3: Highlight the Puff
Use a shimmery light eyeshadow, highlighter stick, or white pencil to draw directly on the puffy area. This will make the aegyo sal “pop” and look raised.
Stick to shades like:
- Champagne
- Pearl
- Light pink
- Beige gold
Use your finger to blend gently so it looks natural and soft.
Step 4: Shade Underneath the Puff
Now comes the key part—creating the shadow.
Use a matte light brown or taupe eyeshadow and an angled brush. Carefully draw a thin line right underneath the highlighted area to create a natural-looking shadow.
Don’t go too dark, or it might look like under-eye bags. Use short strokes and blend with a clean brush or cotton swab.
Step 5: Blend, Blend, Blend!
The secret to great aegyo sal is blending. You don’t want any harsh lines.
Use your finger or a clean brush to gently blend the highlight and the shadow together. It should look like a soft puff under your eyes—not makeup.
Optional: Add Shimmer to Inner Corners
To make your eyes sparkle even more, tap a bit of shimmer or glitter on the inner corners of your eyes. This will brighten your whole face.
Bonus Tip: Try Aegyo Sal Tape or Stickers
If you want a more dramatic aegyo sal look without makeup, you can buy aegyo sal tape or stickers online.
These are tiny, skin-colored strips that stick under your eyes to give you an instant puffy look. They’re popular for special events, photo shoots, or cosplay.
Just place them under your lower lash line and blend with foundation.
Best Products for Aegyo Sal Makeup (K-Beauty Approved)
Here are some highly recommended Korean beauty products to help you get started:
1. Etude House Tear Eye Liner
- Adds a subtle shimmer to your lower lash line
- Easy to apply with a brush tip
- Great for inner corner highlights too
2. Peripera Ink V Shading
- Light brown shade perfect for natural shadow
- Long-lasting and beginner-friendly
- Compact size for travel
3. 3CE Dual Contour Eye Stick
- Dual-ended stick with highlight + shadow
- Great for fast application
- Comes in various tones
4. Holika Holika Eye Metal Glitter
- Adds sparkle for bold aegyo sal looks
- Perfect for parties and concerts
- Safe for sensitive eyes
5. Dasique Shadow Palette #04 Pastel Dream
- Soft, pastel shimmer and matte shades
- Ideal for a full K-beauty eye look
- Smooth, blendable formula
Aegyo Sal vs Eye Bags: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse aegyo sal with eye bags—but they’re not the same!
| Aegyo Sal | Eye Bags |
|---|---|
| Natural muscle or fat under eyes | Caused by aging, fluid retention, or lack of sleep |
| Makes eyes look youthful and cute | Makes eyes look tired or swollen |
| Desired and enhanced with makeup | Usually concealed or reduced |
So don’t worry—aegyo sal is a beauty feature, not a flaw!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though aegyo sal is simple, beginners sometimes make these mistakes:
🚫 Using too dark a shadow → can look like dark circles
🚫 Skipping blending → looks unnatural
🚫 Drawing too far below the eye → looks droopy
🚫 Applying too much shimmer → can look oily instead of dewy
Always check your makeup in natural light and take a photo to see how it looks.
Want more K-beauty tips?
How to Brighten and Whiten Your Skin Safely
How Skin Blemishes Develop—and the Best Ways to Remove Them, Top 5 Korean Beauty Items
Korean Cleansing Oils for Blackheads and Sebaceous Filaments- ultimate guide
Your skin need this to keep plump: Collagen & Best Korean Collagen Skincare
Can’t live without this in summer. best K-beauty Mist Sprays