If you have been scrolling through photos of K-Pop idols or K-beauty influencers, you might have noticed a look that places an overemphasis on the volume under the eyes. Well you are dipping your toes in the viral aegyosal makeup.
What Is Aegyosal and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Aegyosal (애교살) is a small pocket of tissue below the lower lash line. The term translates to “charming fat” in Korean as it usually shows up when smiling, giving the eyes a soft, round shape.
English beauty content calls this area a bunch of different things such as under-eye fat pads, tear troughs,eye smiles, and, sometimes, “idol” eyes. These terms all point to the same zone but aegyosal is more specific though. It comes down to a placement of volume and light in that exact pocket.
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People also mix up aegyosal with eye bags all the time. Eye bags form when fat pushes outward as facial muscles weaken with age. Aegyosal works the opposite way. It’s volume that pushes forward, which catches the light and results in a fresh, awake look. In simpler terms, eye bags pull the face down while aegyosal lifts the whole look up.
Why Aegyosal Makeup Became Popular in 2026
A few things pushed aegyosal makeup into the mainstream this year.
The aegyosal eye look is found in many K-Pop idols, inspiring multiple eye makeup tutorials to recreate the look. But the makeup trend did not only have a chokehold within K-beauty. The look had also already been spreading in China’s online beauty scene through platforms like Douyin.
The trend also found itself at the right time. The clean girl trend has started losing steam and people wanted a look with a bit more personality. Aegyosal fits right into that shift with the sculpted lower lash line designed to mimic a youthful, charming eye smile.
Aegyosal Eye Makeup: The 2-Step Method
This aegyosal eye makeup method really only has two steps: shadow first, then highlight.
Shadow Placement
Begin by selecting a matte, cool-toned shade, such as a cool taupe or an ashy mauve, that sits about two shades deeper than your skin tone. Be sure to skip warm browns, which run the risk of resembling an under-eye bruise.
Using a light touch, trace a delicate line just below the lash line, sweeping from the outer corner and stopping roughly two-thirds of the way across. From there, use a small, fluffy brush to gently diffuse the shadow upward and outward. The goal is a soft, cloud-like haze rather than a sharp line; if you spot any harsh edges in the mirror, lighten your hand for the next pass.
Highlight Placement
Reach for a cream or liquid highlighter with a subtle satin finish, steering clear of glitter formulas, which disrupt the seamless, lit-from-within glow you’re after.
Using your ring finger, gently press the product into the center of the aegyosal pocket directly beneath your lower lashes; the natural warmth of your skin will effortlessly melt the pigment into place. By pairing this radiant pop on top with a soft contour shadow underneath, you create the ultimate multidimensional eye.
The Right Korean Under Eye Highlighter Products
Asides from the right technique, having the right products help to emphasize the aegyosal area.
Cream vs Powder Highlighter
When it comes to sculpting the perfect aegyosal, cream formulas win hands down. Because the delicate under-eye skin is exceptionally thin and prone to creasing, traditional powders often settle into fine lines and accentuate unwanted texture. Cream, on the other hand, melts effortlessly into the skin for a seamless, camera-ready finish. For the most natural look, opt for a lightweight formula that blends easily with your fingers, keeping an eye out for silicone-free options if your under-eyes tend to be dry or mature.
That said, powder still has a small supporting role to play. If you are prone to oiliness, a whisper of translucent powder over a fully set cream base will lock everything in place. Just be sure to apply your cream first, as layering it over powder is a fast track to patchiness.
Shimmer vs Glitter
While shimmer and glitter may appear interchangeable at first glance, their distinct formulas yield entirely different effects on the skin. Glitter relies on larger, visible sparkle particles that sit directly on top of the skin while shimmer boasts a finely milled, smooth sheen that melts seamlessly into the complexion.
For this look, opt for a luminous satin-shimmer finish. Hold a hand mirror close to double-check your application in the light. The ultimate goal is a soft, ultra-hydrated glow that looks like healthy skin, not a disco ball.
Aegyosal Pen and Other Highlighter Formats
Designed specifically for this technique, dedicated aegyosal pens from leading K-beauty brands have become the ultimate go-to, offering precise application and effortless, on-the-go touch-ups.
If you prefer a softer look, liquid and cream serum highlighters melt seamlessly into the skin with just a fingertip. Alternatively, traditional powder formulas work in a pinch, just press them in with a damp beauty sponge to help the shimmer cling to the delicate under-eye area.
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Aegyosal for Every Eye Shape
This look works on hooded eyes too. The placement just shifts a bit, with the contour shadow slightly outward toward the temple. Then, position your highlight directly onto the most visible portion of the aegyosal pocket.
To master the angle, gaze into the mirror with your eyes relaxed at half-mast. This reveals precisely where the natural light strikes, guaranteeing a softly sculpted glow every time you glance down.
The technique also holds up across pretty much every eye shape:
- Monolid eyes: Move the highlight up and slightly outward to create a subtle lift.
- Deep set eyes: Go lighter on the shadow. These eyes already have natural depth, so too much shadow can look hollow.
- Round eyes: Use the full method as is to add structure to a soft eye shape.
- Almond eyes: Barely needs adjusting. The technique just works here.
- Close set eyes: Keep the highlight tight to the inner corner. Center the shadow a bit more and open up the space near the nose.
Idols rock every eye shape imaginable, but they’re all using the same shadow-plus-highlight principle with only the placement changing from face to face.
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Can Aegyosal Makeup Really Be This Easy?
Aegyosal makeup doesn’t take much time or skill. The technique works with every eye shape, making it easy for beginners to try. A little product also goes a long way as long as you have the right textures and finishes. The result looks fresh enough for everyday wear and still fits a dinner date or a special occasion.
