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Vol. 1 [Lifestyle] 💄What's in My Makeup Bag #1: Clear Summer Cool

Ji Hyun Ahn

14 Feb 2026 • 6 min read

Makeup Bag / Ji Hyun Ahn (GER '21)

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In the first installment of our “What’s in My Makeup Bag” series, we’re featuring Ji Hyun Ahn (GER ’21)’s current makeup products.

This posting is not sponsored by any of the brands.
I wish I knew those brands. Ha!🤣

Hopefully you’ll pick up a few beauty tips, get a gift idea, or just have fun with a little beauty browsing.

♥️Skin Profile

Skin type: combination skin / sensitive / thin skin with visible veins, prone to redness
Personal color: Clear / Bright Summer Cool
- Best colors: clear, bright blue tones; contrast is important
- Secondary palette: Pale / Whitish Summer Cool
- Tertiary palette: Light Summer Cool
- Cannot pull off vivid or strong tones
Skin shade: Korean 17 / Internationally, NW10

❤️ Base (listed left → right)

I prefer lightweight glow formulas with minimal coverage
I like to use luminous powder only on select areas

Yunjac Skin Perfecting Protective Base Prep
- Acts as both primer and makeup base.
- Applied after sunscreen (or before tinted sunscreen).
- Hydrating texture that pairs well with glow foundations.
- Feels like it smooths pores without clogging them and improves makeup adhesion.
Fwee Spa Glowing UV Tone-Up Base – 01 Inner Glow
- Very sheer coverage, but the neutral ivory tone helps balance redness.
- Easy to apply with fingers, which comes in very practical
- Creates a subtle radiance, similar to Shiseido’s Revital Essence Foundation.
- Includes SPF, which adds some reassurance against sun damage.
NARS Light Reflecting Setting Pressed Powder – Translucent Crystal
- Colorless, lightweight setting powder.
- Never looks cakey, just adds a soft, refined sheen.

❤️ Eyeshadows (clockwise)

I neutralize eyelid redness first with Bobbi Brown Vanila.
Then I build color gradually in cool tones

Daiso Twinkle Pop Layering Mood Palette – 01 Pink Selection
- Even the light pink shade has a slight shimmer, which keeps the base fresh.
- Pigmentation is very soft, which works well for those who don’t suit strong color.
- Very affordable and excellent value for the price.
- Light Spring Warm types may prefer 02 Peach Blending.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick – Vanilla
- Cool ivory shade.
- Applied directly to bare lids and blended with fingers. No brush needed.
- Smooth, non-irritating, sets quickly — excellent as an eye primer.
- High staying power, though expensive and used up quickly.
Colorgram Single Cube Eye shadows – 08, 10, 11
- Especially flattering cool shades.
- Among drugstore brands, Colorgram's eye shadows feel particularly clear in tone.
- Very cost-effective when on sale.
Amuse Eye Color Palette – 04 Peony Skin
- Soft pink-based palette, more neutral overall.
- Very subtle and elegant color payoff.
- Glitter particles are not that refractive unfortunately.
Holika Holika My Fave Piece – Chu
- Bright pink glitter ideal for Summer Bright tones.
- Glitter is scattered rather than densely packed.
- Lower staying power.
Haserine Sunset Camellia Remover Stick
- Not an eye shadow, but a great eye-makeup fix tool.
- One end is soaked in camellia oil; the other is dry.
- Individually packaged and great for quick touch-ups.
- More expensive than regular Q-tips.

❤️Eyeliners (left → right)

I tightline only between upper lashes, keeping it subtle.
Hence the fine-tipped, smudge-proof eyeliners.

Cosnori Gel Eyeliner – Black Brown
- Between black and brown, slightly cooler and defined.
- Eyeliner coal with gel eyeliner formula.
- Used for my photo shoots or stronger looks, because it reads a bit intense for my daily looks.
- Good value on a BOGO deal.
Wakemake Real Ash Brush Liner – 02 Ash Brown
- Soft cool gray-brown.
- liquid brush eye liner.
- Stamped lightly between lashes for precision.
- Excellent value in promotional sets at Oliveyoung.

❤️Mascara

I apply it lightly, mostly to lash ends.

Clinique Lash Power – Black
- Removes easily with lukewarm to warm water.
- No irritation, minimal smudging.
- Excellent length and definition.
- After a few uses, too much product is picked up from the tube.
- Curl hold is weaker over time.
- Pricey, so I recommend value sets.
- Affordable options for easy-washable mascaras:
  Kiss Me / The Face Shop Gold Collagen Volume Mascara / Missha 4D Mascara

❤️Eyebrows (left → right)

For my Clear/Bright Summer Cool coloring, darker ash brown color works best for the eyebrows.

Skinfood Choco Eyebrow Powder Cake – 01 Gray Khaki Black
- An affordable eye brow powder duo in a cool shade, which is a rare find these days.
- Lighter shade for the front of the eye brows, darker for the tail.
Rom&nd Han All Sharp Brow – C2 Grace Taupe
- Beautiful gray-brown for cool tones.
- Includes spoolie, powder tip, and pencil, which is extremely practical.
- I fill in the brows, using the powder tip, and make strokes with the pencil part.
Shu Uemura Hard Formula – 06 Stone Gray
- Classic cool ash brown shade. Brown > Gray
- Creates natural, hair-like strokes effortlessly.
- The brand closed its business in Korea, so the product is hard to get locally.

❤️Blushes (clockwise)

I have natural flush in my cheeks, so I prefer bright, cool lavender-pink blushes, instead of bold, highly saturated colors.

Nuse Liquid Care Cheek – 06 Muhly Bowl
- Cool berry pink.
- Easy to control despite being a liquid blush, and doesn’t disturb base makeup.
Dasique Blending Mood Cheek – 02 Cool Blending
- Soft mix of all four shades balances cool makeup beautifully.
- Multiple layers can read cakey.
Daiso Ipkn Personal Perfume Powder Blush – Icy Berry
- Used lightly to prevent liquid blush oxidation.
- Best applied with fluffy brush or sponge.
- Great value at 3,000 KRW.
- I recommend "Muted Beige" shade from the same line of product for readers with warm color palette (It helps with a demure look, and is one of professional makeup artists' favorites).

❤️Highlighters (top → bottom)

I strictly avoid ivory and gold as they look very separated on my face.
I apply disctinctly cool-toned highlighters with fingers to:
i) Lower bridge of the nose,
ii) Upper tip of the nose,
iii) High points of the cheekbones.

Simihaze Beauty Soft Strobe – 03 Rose Quartz
- Highly practical because it is designed to be used both as a highlighter and eye shadow.
- May be applied with fingers.
- Perfect cool pink-silver glow.
- Fine pearl particles, natural finish.
- Strong staying power.
2aN Pure Glashy Highlighter – WH01 Frosty
- White shimmer base, offering clean glow.
- Larger glitter particles.
- Good value for the price.

❤️Lipsticks (top → bottom, left → right)

My favorite shades are azalea pink, raspberry, cherry, pink-red, and candy pink.
I prefer sheer, glowy finishes.

YSL Loveshine Lipstick – 163 Raspberry Crush
- Raspberry color.
- Beautiful inner-lip color for defined looks.
- Expensive but long-lasting and moisturizing.
- Comes in a distinct fruity scent like that of a mango.
- Unfortunately not as moisturizing as a lip balm.
Heart Percent Dot On Mood One Way Glowy Tint – Pink Fairy
- Light pink-red color.
- Best for soft makeup days, when applied just once to the inner lips.
- A sheer glow finish, rendering a clear look
- Does not help with moisturization.
Bepanthol Lip Cream
- White moisturizing lip balm.
- Excellent hydration, even for extremely chapped, peeling lips.
- When applied in multiple coats, its white formula may be misread as saliva.
AOU Glowy Tint Balm – Apple Balm
- Pink-red color, slightly warm-leaning.
- Hygienic silicone tip.
- Fairly hydrating for a tinted lip balm.
- Not ideal for very irritated lips.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Stick – Cherry Blush
- Cherry pink color.
- Budget-friendly as a 3,000-won product available at Daiso.
- Provides strong hydration with its Vaseline base.
- Nonetheless, not ideal for damaged lips.
- For warmer or neutral tones, I recommend "Rosy Lips" shade from the line instead.
MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm – Photogenic
- Candy pink color.
- Buildable without becoming too dark.
- Top-ranked hydration for a tinted lip balm.

❤️Gift Recommendations

If you’re looking for a small gift, here are some suggestions:

(Aside from Yunjac Base Prep, color preferences vary widely, so including a gift receipt is always thoughtful.)

[30,000–40,000 KRW Range]

Yunjac Skin Perfecting Protective Base Prep
MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm

[10,000–20,000 KRW Range]

Heart Percent Dot On Mood Glowy Tint

[Under 10,000 KRW]

2aN Pure Glashy Highlighter
Vaseline Lip Therapy Stick