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Top 6 Korean beauty bloggers on YouTube

  • Published : Feb 4, 2015 - 17:09
  • Updated : Feb 4, 2015 - 17:09

In an age where YouTube has spawned some of the most prominent celebrities of the digital age, beauty vloggers (video bloggers) have also risen to the fore in the fashion and makeup industry. Cosmetics brands have hired highly subscribed beauty gurus such as Michelle Phan (L'Oreal) and Pixiwoo sisters Samantha and Nicola Chapman (Avon).

A high proportion of the new generation's "beauty experts" are Korean. Kpop Herald rounds up six of the most-watched and closely monitored Korean beauty vloggers.

1. Jenn Im (clothesencounters)

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(Tumblr)
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(Tumblr)
Boasting over 1.2 million subscribers, Jenn Im is one of YouTube’s most successful celebrities. The Korean-American was born and raised in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old graduated from University of California, Davis with a major in communications in 2013.

Im is a member of Japanese cosmetics company SK-II’s Beauty Circle, with whom she has traveled overseas to Singapore and Shanghai.

"My channel is essentially a hub where you can be more open with your style, and you can (also) see my lifestyle a bit," Im told UC Davis' daily student newspaper.

The extroverted vlogger, who aspires to be a "video or TV personality interviewing bands and designers," frequently shares beauty advice, fashion tips and diet ideas on her YouTube channel.

2. Jen Chae (frmheadtotoe)

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Makeup tutorial for 4Minute's HyunA's music video "Gangnam Style" (YouTube)
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Makeup tutorial for 2NE1's look in the music video "Clap Your Hands" (YouTube)
Freelance makeup artist Chae, whose Korean name is Chae Su-kyeong, has amassed over 1 million subscribers and her uploads regularly feature among YouTube’s top beauty video picks.

The second-generation Korean-American was born in Kansas and majored in industrial design at the University of Kansas.

Though raised in the U.S., the 30-year-old uploads makeup tutorials covering some of K-pop’s most recognizable looks by acts including IU, Girls' Generation, 4Minute's HyunA and 2NE1.

"Makeup should be used to ... accentuate how you feel and who you want to be, and make yourself feel beautiful. You shouldn't wear it as a mask to hide your insecurities and cover up what you're afraid of," Chae said in one of her earliest videos.

3. Sophia Chang (fashionista804)

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(Facebook)
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(Facebook)
With over 500,000 subscribers, Chang is equal parts makeup blogger and YouTube personality.

The energetic vlogger, who was born and raised in Virginia, studied at California‘s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She has worked with premium cosmetics brand MAC Cosmetics.

"Having a big personality, being creative and artistic with my videos has definitely played a huge part with my success from YouTube," the 22-year-old said.

4. Holly Ann-AeRee (hollyannaeree)

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(Facebook)
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(Facebook)
Born in Seoul but adopted by an American family at 3 months old, Ann-AeRee -- "no one ever thinks (that's) my last name" -- was raised in Connecticut before relocating to California.

With over 490,000 subscribers, the smoky-eyed beauty guru favors a contoured bronzed look, typically compares makeup products and discusses beauty trends.

"Doing YouTube videos and blogging has become a really big part of my life. ... No one starts out a pro and I've got a long way to go," said Ann-AeRee.

5. Chriselle Lim (chrisellelim)

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(Chriselle INC.)
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(Chriselle INC.)
Lim may have been born in Texas and raised in California, but she is always trying to find more ways to work in Korea and with Korean brands, according to an interview with The Korea Times.

The 29-year-old's efforts have paid off. Lim, who has some 480,000 subscribers, is the American ambassador for Korean cosmetics giant Laneige.

"I actually feel more Korean than American," the self-confessed K-pop lover said.

The fashion blogger and entrepreneur, whose Korean name is Lim So-jung, attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before founding her style consultation company Chriselle INC. in 2010. She has since been sought after by luxury fashion brands, including Tiffany & Co., Coach, Victoria's Secret and Banana Republic.

6. Jung Saem-mool (jungsaemmool)

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missA's Suzy "Pictorial" makeup (YouTube)
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f(x)'s "Red Light" makeup tutorial (YouTube)
Professional makeup artist Jung has over 25 years of expertise working in the fashion industry. She has worked with some of Korea's most celebrated stars, such as Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na, actress Kim Tae-hee and singer Lee Hyo-ri.

Jung, who founded home-shopping brand MULE cosmetics, has also launched some of Korea’s most widespread beauty trends, most notably the "celebrity translucent makeup" look.

Her YouTube channel, with almost 230,000 subscribers, shows the professional artist in action, teaching makeup looks ranging from "Park Shin-hye's Wave Bobbed Hair" to K-pop looks by acts such as Girls’ Generation, Lee Hyo-ri and BoA. Her beauty tutorials are subtitled both in Korean and English.

Honorable mention

Jeniffer Kim (meejmuse)

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Kim on Arirang TV as a K-Style Reporter in 2014 (Arirang)
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Kim on Arirang TV as a K-Style Reporter in 2014 (Arirang)
Born in Australia but currently based in Seoul, Kim is followed by a modest 150,000 subscribers. The 26-year-old has appeared live on Korea's Arirang TV as a "K-Style Reporter."

The Aussie, whose Korean name is Kim Mi-jeong, favors Korean makeup and beauty looks, frequently reviewing domestic cosmetic products.

By Yoon Sarah (sarah356@heraldcorp.com)

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