2025 K Cosmetic April News Letter

◎ Good Looks Lead to Better Earnings? ◎

Every year, December and January are the busiest months for plastic surgery clinics. High school seniors and repeat college entrance examinees flock to these clinics after completing the college entrance exam process. There has also been a noticeable increase in the number of men in their 50s seeking procedures to lift droopy eyelids or smooth forehead wrinkles. Job seekers say, "Appearance is also a qualification." Many empirical studies show that attractive individuals receive better treatment in the labor market. This is referred to as the "beauty premium"—the advantage that good looks provide. But is there a rational explanation for this phenomenon, or is it simply prejudice and discrimination?

Want to Marry Someone Wealthy?

One of the most famous studies on the beauty premium is the 1994 paper "Beauty and the Labor Market" by Daniel Hamermesh, Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin, and Jeff Biddle, Professor at the University of Notre Dame. The researchers categorized 1,279 men and 1,495 women between the ages of 18 and 64 into five levels based on their appearance and examined the relationship between looks and income. The study found that women in the top two appearance categories earned 8% more than the average. Similarly, men in the top 1–2 appearance categories earned 4% more than the average. In contrast, women in the lowest two categories earned 4% less than the average, while men in these categories earned 13% less.

Similar findings have been reported in Korea. In 2010, Professors Ryu Keun-kwan (Department of Economics, Seoul National University) and Lee Soo-hyung (Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University) analyzed the incomes of 20,689 members of the matchmaking company Sunoo, categorized into four appearance grades: A, B, C, and D. The study revealed that men in the A-grade category earned 9% more than men in the C-grade category, while A-grade women earned 5% more than C-grade women. The income level of spouses also differed. The spouses of A-grade men earned 15% more annually than those of C-grade men. Similarly, A-grade women married men whose income levels were 6% higher than those of men married to C-grade women. Interestingly, the beauty premium was found to be larger for men than for women.

Are Attractive People Better at Their Jobs?

Why does the beauty premium exist? In certain jobs and industries, appearance itself can be considered a skill. For professions such as acting, sales, or other roles that involve frequent interpersonal interactions, good looks or a pleasing appearance can give individuals a competitive edge. Research has shown that even restaurant workers receive tips based on their looks. In a study conducted by economist Matt Parrett of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 280 customers at five restaurants in Richmond, Virginia, were surveyed. The results showed that attractive male waiters received 1.49 times more tips than their average-looking counterparts, while attractive female waitresses received 1.37 times more tips than their less attractive peers.

The "halo effect" described in behavioral economics may also play a role. The halo effect refers to the tendency to judge other qualities of a person based on one specific attribute. For example, when seeing a beautiful woman, one might think, "She must be intelligent and kind-hearted too." Such biases can also influence the labor market. Additionally, confidence in one’s appearance may translate into better job performance. Many studies suggest that physically attractive workers tend to have higher self-confidence, and this confidence can contribute to higher wages(The Korea Economic Daily, December 17, 2024).

◎ Mickey Madison's Enchanting Black Hair Styling That Captivated the World Instantly ◎

Everyone expected the Oscar for Best Actress to go to Demi Moore, but defying all expectations, the winner was none other than Mickey Madison. Born in 1999, Mickey Madison played the role of a New York stripper who dreams of climbing the social ladder by believing in an illusory love in the film Anora.

She looked stunning in a pink Dior dress adorned with ribbon details. But what truly elevated her elegance and charm was her nearly black hair color! It perfectly complemented her fair skin and distinctively long, sharp eyes, creating a mysterious and alluring aura.

Since her debut, Mickey Madison has consistently kept her hair black, never changing her color. If you're wondering how to style long, dark hair without it looking dull, you might want to take a cue from Mickey.

She also joined the "princess hairstyle" trend. With light waves added and a visible part, she tied her hair half-up. Without any loose strands, the slicked-back style gave off a chic vibe.

Though she usually keeps her hair straight and long, she switches up her look with waves for special occasions. Loose curls paired with soft brown-toned makeup gave her an even more gentle and composed look(Vogue, March 15, 2025).

◎ 27 of The Best K-Beauty Products Worth The Hype ◎

Building the ultimate K-beauty routine is not for the weak. Search up the best Korean skincare, makeup, and haircare launches and you’ll see thousands of brands all vying to secure a top spot. From clinic-inspired serums to juicy lip tints, an overwhelming amount of options exist for any category you can think of, no matter how niche. So what’s actually worth the hype? “For the past decade, Korean beauty has upped the bar globally when it comes to price, quality, innovation, and texture,” says Charlotte Cho, esthetician and co-founder of Soko Glam and Then I Met You. Cho’s name should be familiar to anyone who’s entered the K-beauty scene, but for the uninitiated, she’s been curating the best of K-beauty on Soko Glam for more than 11 years—long before you saw those viral toner pads take over your TikTok FYP. Recently, Cho has been more discerning than ever. “I’ve been looking more at the details of where the ingredients are sourced, or if it’s bringing an interesting ingredient combo to the table,” she says. To sort through the overwhelming amount of launches that come out of the K-beauty market, she also pays close attention to clinical studies and “new formats or textures that are unlike anything I’ve tested before.”

This year, she’s got an eye on skin treatments influenced by in-office cosmetic treatments like microneedling and PDRN injections. “Toner pads are also having a moment,” she says. “It's a resurgence of why we originally fell in love sheet masks, but now in bite-sized form.” With a few recommendations from Cho in hand, I spent five weeks in Seoul this spring working my way through as many products as I could get my hands on. From TikTok-viral toners to iconic cleansing oils, here’s what actually lived up to the hype. Some of these launches have cult status in Korea, consistently ranking high on Hwahae (an ingredient analysis and review aggregator app that publishes some of the most trusted rankings in Korea) or always securing a spot in my friends’ bathroom cabinets. Others are more well-known globally or belong to up-and-coming brands just starting to make a splash. Regardless, they impress(Forbes, 2024. 01. 13).

◎ Why People around the World Was Surprised by Korean Hair Salons ◎

Recently, with the rising wave of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), many people around the world have been following the social media accounts of K-stars. Browsing through the SNS of K-stars, it's not uncommon to see them receiving hair or makeup services at salons. This has led to growing interest in Korean hair salons among many people around the world.

There are significant differences between hair salons in Korea and around the world. When people around the world locals first experience Korean hair salons, they are often quite surprised. While the basic structure and hair services of salons in Korea and around the world are similar, Korean salons offer some unique services.

In Korean hair salons, customers are provided with complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks before their hair treatment. There's no additional charge for these; they are included in the hair service. In larger salons, there are even staff members with barista certifications who serve coffee.

Additionally, women can use a free makeup area to retouch their makeup after completing their hair service. Not only is the space free, but the cosmetics are also provided at no extra cost. This, too, is included in the hair service. Despite these additional perks, prices in Korean salons are relatively affordable. In contrast, hair salons in advanced country are often more expensive, with separate charges for shampoo services.

"As news about Korean hair salon services spreads across various online communities in many countries, numerous netizens express their desire to experience these services themselves" (Source: Hallyu Times, www.hanryutimes.com).

The 2025 K Cosmetic April Newsletterwas published by K Cosmetic Inc.

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