Korean makeup artists “hit pan” on these 30 products; see the list of most used makeup by the pros

Testing out products to find the most elite ones is part of the job of professional makeup artists. So it certainly tells you something about how good a product is if makeup artists are constantly “hitting pan” on it.

For the uninitiated, “hitting pan” describes almost finishing a product to the point where the bottom of the case or bottle can be seen. That’s a true sign that the makeup artist has used a particular shade or product to death, and also an indication that these products are worth the investment.

You’re in luck because we scoured the internet and did the investigative work for you, with the help of beauty YouTuber INBORA and Korean makeup artist @__minzy___ of @wythe_dosan makeup salon! Read on for a list of top-tier “hit pan” products that are always restocked at popular Korean makeup salons.

We’d strongly recommend adding to your cart and checking out ASAP before any of these products go out of stock!

Related read:8 makeup tips to achieve Korean-style ID photos without using AI

Base makeup products that “hit pan”

MAC Cosmetics Lightful C+ Coral Grass Tinted Primer SPF 45/PA++++

Standing as one of YouTuber INBORA’s favourite and must-have products, this hydrating primer enhances the skin’s natural luminosity by giving a “lit-from-within” effect, which helps your foundation look fresher.

It has a creamy yet lightweight texture and a unique “shake-up” consistency that provides a weightless and comfortable after-feel.

Plus, it’s also dermatologist-tested, non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, free from mineral oil, and free from alcohol (non-drying). Is there anything this tinted primer can’t do?!

MAC Cosmetics Lightful C+ Coral Grass Tinted Primer SPF 45/PA++++ (30ml) retails for RM219 at MAC Cosmetics’ online store and Sephora.

NAMING Layered Cover Foundation

This powerhouse beauty product boasts UV protection (SPF 35 PA++), brightens the skin tone, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and keeps your skin moisturised while offering a long-wearing finish.

It’s buildable and infused with finely milled cover powder to blur out the pores, creating a flawless semi-matte finish. You’d think that this means the foundation is thick and heavy, but NAMING’s Layered Cover Foundation has a lightweight and watery formula that blends effortlessly without any caking.

Makeup artist @__minzy___ uses this foundation when she wants a light base and mixes it with a BB cream to get a thicker texture.

NAMING Layered Cover Foundation (30ml) retails for RM120.91 instead of RM 151.14 at YesStyle. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm Intensive

This is the BB cream that @__minzy___ mixes with the NAMING foundation. It’s her favourite BB cream because it has good ingredients, excludes 20 kinds of detrimental ingredients, and doesn’t irritate the skin.

Some of these skincare ingredients are chamomile flower extract, peptide complex, and vitamin E. She added on to say that the blemish balm is good at covering pores, which is why she’s been using it often.

If you prefer a soft finish on your makeup base and want a good skincare-makeup hybrid product to combat blemishes, wrinkles, and a damaged skin barrier, this will be an amazing find for you!

Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm Intensive (40ml) retails for RM97.62 at Shopee.

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation

Armani Beauty’s highly raved foundation is weightless yet gives full coverage and works to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The result? A polished complexion and natural “facelift” that lets you look youthful with an age-defying aura.

The brand’s unique Micro-fil™ technology drapes the face with an ultrafine micro-lifting matrix which serves as an elastic matrix to seal in a high concentration of exclusive emollients and velvet filters.

Plus, the foundation is tailor-made with exclusive Prussian blue pearl pigment that allows for an intense depth and luminosity to revive the skin, correct colour irregularities, relieve dullness, and add a soft focus effect.

Apparently, it’s so good that INBORA has emptied many bottles and has endorsed the foundation in several of her videos.

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation (30ml) retails for RM320 at Armani Beauty’s online store and for RM292 at Shopee.

INGA Tattoo Foundation

Lauded as “the best of the best”, INGA’s foundation is a must-have in Korean makeup salons. As the name suggests, it’s powerful enough to cover up tattoos which isn’t a claim that many foundations or concealers have.

This high-coverage and high-adherence foundation works to cover any skin imperfection while creating a perfect, smooth, and budge-proof canvas that’ll last for 24 hours.

It’s also non-sticky with a semi-matte finish and has conditioning oil to prevent any tightness in the skin. @__minzy___ shared that her makeup salon uses the INGA Tattoo Foundation a lot and that it’s great for Korean (and Asian) skin types.

Currently, at the time of writing, INGA is having a huge clearance sale at Shopee and selling the INGA Tattoo Foundation (30ml) at only RM24 instead of RM125.13.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Foundation

Celebrated as one of Estée Lauder’s two most loved products, the other being the Double Wear Stay-In-Place, the Futurist Aqua Brilliance offers the ultimate glow between the two.

Infused with 84% skin-caring ingredients, this foundation delivers 24-hour hydration, 24-hour radiance, and 24-hour wear. The Anti-oxidant SuperBerry Ferment™ helps protect your skin’s glow and defends against environmental damage that can cause dull and ageing skin.

Better yet, with all the other skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Moisture Barrier Complex with lipids, your skin’s radiance and moisture will be improved over time.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brillance Foundation (30ml) retails for RM300 at Estée Lauder’s online store and for RM242 at Zalora.

hince Second Skin Cover Concealer

In talking about concealers, @__minzy___ explained how many liquid concealers are drying, stick to the skin, and don’t blend out nicely when used wrongly. However, this doesn’t happen with hince’s concealer which covers colours or blemishes incredibly well even on dry skin.

That means you won’t end up with flaky or patchy makeup, also thanks to its long-wear film system that absorbs oil and retains moisture for flawless, comfortable coverage all day.

hince Second Skin Cover Concealer (6.5g) retails for RM63 instead of RM84 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Conceal And Correct Palette

INBORA shared how many use a concealer palette and that the most standard one to reach for is MAC Cosmetics’, which is also known as “the original”.

Enriched with antioxidants and suited for all skin types, this professional palette has four concealers and two corrector shades. The emollient-based formula delivers medium to full buildable coverage for a natural finish and can be used individually or combined together.

Whether you’re using it to correct skin tones or to conceal dark circles, moles, blemishes, tattoos and birthmarks, it can give you eight hours of stay-true colour and crease-proof wear. Plus, the amount of product you get in one palette is rather generous and a little goes a long way for great results too, which means it can definitely last you for a long time.

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Conceal And Correct Palette (6g) retails for RM181 at Lazada.

Dermacol Make-up Cover

Another amazing product used in Korean makeup salons is Dermacol’s extreme make-up cover, which was the first of its kind in Europe and one of the first in the world.

Containing 50% pigments and known as “the legendary high-covering foundation since 1966”, it gives great coverage even in thin layers and can perfectly conceal blemishes, dark spots, or dark eye circles. It can even be used on the whole body and cover acne, tattoos, or post-surgical bruising and is widely used on photo or film shoots.

@__minzy___ uses this as a liquid concealer to cover up spots or brighten up the centre of the face. Since it’s much thicker, she recommends using a brush to blend out a thin layer as a little goes a long way with this make-up cover.

Dermacol Make-up Cover (30g) retails for RM51.68 instead of RM68.90 at Watsons. It’s also available from RM48.30 to RM66.93 at Shopee. Discounts are offered at the time of writing.

ABOUT_TONE Glow Powder Pact and Air Fit Powder Pact

Two face powders that @__minzy___ constantly uses are two types of powder pacts from Korean brand ABOUT_TONE.

The Glow Powder Pact has a peachy texture and gives a soft, smooth finish. It also features a pearlescent effect that glows when exposed to light. When applied to the middle of the face, a three-dimensional effect is created to make your skin look plumper or brighten up any redness.

Meanwhile, the Air Fit Powder Pact has a light and airy texture that won’t get cakey even with multiple applications. It claims to cause less smudging of makeup and fixes up your base to be budge-proof. @__minzy___ described the Air Fit as more translucent and a better choice for everyday wear to cover up sebum.

ABOUT_TONE Glow Powder Pact and Air Fit Powder Pact both retail for RM 56.29 at YesStyle. They’re also available for RM53.50 at Shopee, at the time of writing.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Mesh Cushion Foundation

INBORA said that this cushion foundation is pricey but once you use it you’ll think “I understand the price now”.

The Touche Eclat Mesh Cushion Foundation is the first with mesh technology from YSL’s famous foundation family to focus on that coveted healthy glow look. It delivers high coverage, all-day comfort, 24-hour hydration, and even-toned skin that’s instantly “lit up”.

Think radiant cheeks, luminous skin, and “the ultimate couture glow on the go”. You can choose from six glowing shades that are specially chosen to suit Asian skin tones.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Mesh Cushion Foundation (12g) retails for RM392 at Shopee.

Related read: 12 Korean makeup tips and tricks that Korean celebs use to look younger

Bronzer, highlighter, and blush that “hit pan”

peripera Ink V Shading

Seeing how @__minzy___ really used this contour powder till it “hit pan”, it’s no wonder it’s one of her favourite products!

This tri-colour shading palette features a mixture of a cream bronzer and a fine micro powder that can be used to contour your face, create an airbrushed matte finish, and even your skin tone by eliminating reddish or yellowish tones.

There are three options: #01 Almond Brown for natural contouring, #02 Cacao Brown for a more defined look, and #03 Hazel Grey for a healthy radiance and youthful glow. Its V-cut 1:2:1 ratio design also means you can use the shades individually on your eyes, cheeks, and eyebrows.

Plus, it contains pro-vitamins and essential fatty acids that soften, condition, and moisturise the skin, and @__minzy___ swears by how it rarely flakes and is super long-lasting.

peripera Ink V Shading (9.5g) retails for RM 59.57 instead of RM 66.19 at YesStyle. It’s also available for RM38 at Shopee. Discounts are offered at the time of writing.

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette

Possibly one of the most sought-after products by Dior, this illuminating makeup palette has multi-use powders that come in glittery, metallic, pearly, and shimmery finishes.

Derived from Dior’s first professional makeup line, a collection of makeup artist essentials inspired by the energy backstage at runway shows, the glow face palettes are every Dior makeup artists’ secret to adding instant radiance to any look.

There are four shades, but the most popular one would be 004 Rose Gold. These stunning highlighter palettes are said to be stocked in every Korean makeup salon in Cheongdam.

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette (10g) retails for RM230 at Dior Online Boutique Malaysia.

CLIO Prism Highlighter

Another one of CLIO’s bestselling products, aside from their renowned cushion foundation, is this highlighter that glides onto the skin like a dream.

Its lightweight yet long-lasting formula adheres strongly to the face for a shimmery, translucent veil that can last for days. It has two shades, #01 Gold Sheer for skin with warm undertones and #02 Fairy Pink for skin with cool undertones (used by @__minzy___).

And since its powder is finely milled, you won’t be left with a flaky or cakey finish.

CLIO Prism Highlighter (7g) retails for RM 73.49 instead of RM 97.98 at YesStyle. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

Glint Highlighter

This highlighter is also incredibly popular and rightfully so — if you’re just now hearing about it, you’re missing out.

Glint’s pearlescent highlighter has a silky and creamy texture that is non-drying and promises zero pilling for a subtle radiant finish, almost as if the light is embroidered on.

It can also be used as a blush or eyeshadow, depending on your desired glittery or glossy makeup look. Glint has five different shades but @__minzy___’s favourite is shade #01 Dewy Moon which she claims is great for daily use and works well on darker skin tones too.

Glint Highlighter (5.1g) retails for RM 73.90 instead of RM 92.35 at YesStyle. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

NAMING Fluffy Powder Blush

Available in six luscious shades, ranging from baby pink to beige-brown, NAMING’s powder blush is also a well-loved hit-pan product at Korean makeup salons.

Offering a vivid yet healthy and natural-looking flush, this highly pigmented blush adheres perfectly to the skin to create a smooth and long-lasting finish.

@__minzy___ uses the shade Bashful a lot, sometimes as an eyeshadow on those with lighter skin tones or under the eyes for the Korean aegyo sal makeup look.

NAMING Fluffy Powder Blush (3.2g) retails for RM 62.54 instead of RM 78.17 at YesStyle. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

rom&nd Better Than Cheek

This Korean brand appeals to beauty enthusiasts with many of their affordable yet high-quality makeup products, including the Better Than Cheek blushes.

Inspired by natural dried fruits, these blushes are made with super fine powder for a natural, matte finish that smoothes and compliments your skin.

The shade that @__minzy___ uses a lot, Blueberry Chip, is perfect for adding a lively “tone up” to warm skin tones.

rom&nd Better Than Cheek (4g) retails from RM34.84 to RM52 at Shopee. A disocunt is offered at the time of writing.

Stila Soft Glow Powder Blush

This “hit pan” product, specifically in the shade Blooming Seoul, is pure pink and recommended by @__minzy___ for a “cute and innocent” makeup look.

It’s also made with soft, micro powder that is long-wearing and glides onto the skin smoothly to add a natural-looking colour to your face.

Another reason to snag it? It’s a limited-edition blush that’s exclusive in Korea.

Stila Soft Glow Powder Blush (3.5g) retails for RM130.21 at Shopee.

Eye makeup products that “hit pan”

peripera Ink Pocket Shadow Palette

peripera clearly knows what they’re doing in the makeup world. Their four-coloured palette boasts easy-to-wear shades in both matte and glittery finishes that complement well to create a variety of lovely makeup looks.

It’s formulated with fine powder with strong adherence for a smudge-proof and long-lasting result.

For those who aren’t keen on pinkish or bright shades, reach for the shade 04 You Know What Mute Is. Meanwhile, @__minzy___  recommends the shade 02 Cool Summer Vibe which has bright strawberry milk tones for those with lighter skin tones.

peripera Ink Pocket Shadow Palette (40g) retails for RM 54.62 instead of RM 68.28 at YesStyle. It’s also available from RM52.50 to RM75 at Shopee. Discounts are offered at the time of writing.

Bbia Ready To Wear Eye Palette

This “hit pan” product in Korean makeup salons is the perfect tool for achieving that alluring soft glam look. It has matte, sparkly, and shimmery shades in incredibly wearable earthy tones.

Its finely milled powders boast rich pigments for a long-lasting glam with glitter that won’t fall off easily. Plus, it’s really compact which makes it great for touch-ups throughout the day.

Bbia Ready To Wear Eye Palette (3g) retails for RM 100.47 instead of RM 133.94 at YesStyle. It’s also available for RM60.94 at Lazada and RM79.90 at Shopee. Discounts are offered at the time of writing.

NARS Single Eye Shadow – Shimmer Finish

Also known as the NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow, both INBORA and @__minzy___ featured this in their videos, specifically the shade Galapagos and Melrose.

In fact, INBORA “pledges” that the NARS Galapagos eyeshadow can be found at every single Cheongdam beauty salon. A dark bronze accompanied by yellow gold with soft pearl, Galapagos comes highly recommended as the perfect shade for blurring eyeliners (which is what often separates your detailed makeup look from others).

The other popular shade, Melrose, has a pink base with bright gold glitter and is great for creating starry eyes or a dainty look. INBORA has even commented on how the Melrose eyeshadow is pretty much irreplaceable.

NARS Single Eye Shadow – Shimmer Finish retails for RM100 at NARS online store and Sephora.

MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow

MAC has a gorgeous range of textures and finishes from their eyeshadow powder lineup. Wet or dry, it melts and blends effortlessly onto the eyelids thanks to its first-of-its-kind formula.

This highly pigmented eyeshadow is the brand’s most pigmented eyeshadow to date, being formulated with up to 25% higher pigment load compared to previous M·A·C Eye Shadow Palettes.

MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow (1.5g) retails for RM94 at MAC Cosmetics’ online store. The particular shade ‘In Living Pink’ used by @__minzy___ is available in the Connect In Color 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette Rose Lens (6.25g) for RM225 at Sephora.

Missha Palette Paint Liner

This gel eyeliner comes in a creamy, paint-like texture that glides on effortlessly. It’s also incredibly easy to control and boasts excellent waterproof properties.

According to @__minzy___, it doesn’t harden easily like how other creamy brow pomades or products would usually. The added bonus? It’s long-lasting and really cheap too.

Missha Palette Paint Liner (50g) retails for RM42 instead of RM70 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

Pro8 Cheongdam Liquid Define Liner

It’s oil-proof, smudge-proof, and waterproof! This Pro8 Cheongdam liquid eyeliner has an Italian melting gel formula and may just be your best makeup partner for that perfect winged look.

You can also follow how @__minzy___ does it by mixing both the black and brown liners for a shade that flatters your eyes more.

Pro8 Cheongdam Liquid Define Liner (2.5ml) retails for RM94 instead of RM125 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

shu uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil

There’s no doubt @__minzy___ uses this shu uemura eyebrow pencil religiously to produce naturally defined brows — barely an inch of the product is left!

Lauded as the number one eyebrow pencil that’s beloved for over 25 years, it’s no wonder that it’s stocked well at Korean makeup salons. This unique eyebrow pencil has five shades and only releases colour pigments when it comes into contact with the oils in your brow hairs.

shu uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil retails for RM115 at shu uemura’s online store and for RM98 at Shopee.

CLIO Kill Brow Color Brow Lacquer

@__minzy___ noted how CLIO’s browcara has a short, mini triangular brush which makes it easy to use and apply to the brows, unlike longer ones. That means clump-free brows even with multiple layering!

Also a crowd favourite, this brow lacquer has sophisticated colours that are sure to match your own hair colour. Plus, the long-lasting formula helps to keep your brows full and without cases of smudging.

CLIO Kill Brow Color Brow Lacquer (2g) retails for RM55.90 instead of RM98.68 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

Lip makeup products that “hit pan”

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Candy Glaze Lipstick

Just like a “lip bloss“, this luxurious YSL lippie has the shine of a gloss, the nourishment of a balm, and a decent colour payoff that’s just right.

It features vitamin E, mango oils, and hyaluronic acid ingredients for a glazed shine and nourishing care for up to eight hours.

In case you’re wondering, INBORA uses shades 11 and 13 the most and described these lippies to be as glossy as Tanghulu (rock sugar-coated fruits) — it is, after all, named Candy Glaze for a reason.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Candy Glaze Lipstick (3.2g) retails for RM165 at YSL’s online store and for RM204 at Zalora.

rom&nd Dewyful Water Tint

The “culprit” of juicy, irresistible lip looks, rom&nd’s long-lasting lip tint works to give you dewy, succulent lips coupled with a gentle shine.

It features four types of herb extracts for nourishment, namely oregano, thyme, lavender, and rosemary. Meaning to say, its watery texture won’t leave you with dry lips.

The shades that @__minzy___ uses are 10 Mumur Pink and 13 Custard Mauve.

rom&nd Dewyful Water Tint (5g) retails for RM59 at Watsons and from RM39.53 to RM59 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

rom&nd Blur Fudge Tint

Unsurprisingly, there’s yet another rom&nd “hit pan” product loved by many Korean makeup salons. Aptly named, this fudge-like lip tint blends well onto the lips for a matte and graduated finish.

Its buttery smooth formula has waxy ingredients like macadamia integrifolia seed oil to keep the lips moisturised.

There are a total of 11 colours to choose from, but the one recommended by @__minzy___ is the shade 06 Mauvish.

rom&nd Blur Fudge Tint (5g) retails for RM39.53 instead of RM59 each at Shopee. It’s also available for RM42.48 at WOOH. Discounts are offered at the time of writing.

peripera Ink Velvet

If you’re looking for a great matte lippie option, look no further than peripera! Known for a plethora of amazing makeup goodies, this Korean brand rarely disappoints.

The Ink Velvet matte lipstick is highly pigmented, easy to spread on the lips, and able to last throughout the day. Thanks to its Airy Color Film technology, your lips won’t dry out nor reveal unsightly lip lines.

@__minzy___’s favourite is the Ink Velvet in the shade 029 Cocoa Nude.

peripera Ink Velvet (4g) retails from RM29.90 to RM49 at Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing.

Related read:8 Korean makeup trends that are set to blow up in 2023 – #5 may surprise you!

Watch the full video of all the “hit pan” products in Korean makeup salons by YouTuber YEBO here and another one by YouTuber INBORA below.

Feature image credit: @in_bora_/YouTube, @JEYU/YouTube