South Korea is known for its fun personality tests, and the latest buzz is around the “teto-egen” test. This test, inspired by the hormones testosterone (“teto”) and estrogen (“egen”), is less about science and more about vibes.
This test has turned into a hot topic on TikTok and within K-pop fandoms, with fans tagging their favorite idols – such as aespa’s Winter as a classic teto, and Karina as a perfect example of egen. Even SNL Korea joined the fun with a parody sketch.
So, what really distinguishes the two, and how can you showcase your teto or egen vibe through your makeup? Let’s dive into it.
Wondering where you fit in? Take the teto-egen test here before you scroll down to find your ideal makeup style.
Teto vs Egen: Key Characteristics
- Teto women: Bold, expressive, outgoing. They project confidence and a touch of playfulness. Think adventurous, extroverted vibes.
- Egen women: Gentle, graceful, and traditionally feminine. They exude softness, subtlety, and elegance.
If you’re interested in how this connects to beauty and style, makeup is an awesome starting point. Teto energy usually goes for defined looks – picture strong brows, sharp eyeliner, and vibrant colour choices that exude confidence.
On the other hand, egen energy prefers softer touches like radiant skin, gentle blush, and more natural shades.
Whether you want to be cool and commanding or warm and graceful, the perfect makeup look can help showcase your inner teto or egen.
Makeup for Teto Types
Minnie from i-dle (previously known as (G)-IDLE) rocks a fierce smokey eye look with bright red lips that totally embody peak teto energy – confident, expressive, and hard to miss. This powerful style reflects her fearless nature, showing she’s all about standing out, not blending in.
Blackpink’s Jennie showcases bold smokey eyeliner paired with a nude lip that screams teto vibes—strong, edgy, and effortlessly stylish. The sharp eyeliner brings the drama, while the nude lip keeps things balanced, mirroring her confident, no-nonsense attitude that’s always in charge.
The overall vibe of teto makeup is dynamic, statement-making, and eye-catching – perfect for women who want their personality to shine through with bold, expressive looks.
Teto Base Makeup
HERA Black Cushion
For the teto woman who wants to make a statement, the Hera Black Cushion is the perfect foundation. It provides complete coverage with a beautiful matte finish, ensuring a flawless look that stays put all day long.
Ideal for a daring and self-assured makeup style, this cushion allows you to craft a base that highlights your stunning eyes and lips beautifully.
HERA Black Cushion retails for RM195.67 and is available on Yesstyle.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation
For all-day use and complete coverage, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation is here for you. This amazing formula delivers a smooth, matte finish that endures everything – whether you’re taking on the night or tackling a hectic day.
With its extensive selection of shades, it offers a flawless base that maintains your skin’s perfected and shine-free appearance, allowing you to concentrate on making an impression.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation retails for RM210 and is available at Sephora.
Teto Eye Makeup
Clio Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Liner
If you want to create striking eye looks that really stick around, you need the Clio Sharp So Simple Water. True to its name, it’s super simple to use – just swipe and you’re done. This ultra-precise liner goes on smoothly, providing rich, vibrant colour that holds up against sweat, rain, or whatever challenges come your way.
Clio Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Liner retails for S$14.63 and is available at Watsons.
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
Dive into your teto energy with the Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette. Filled with deep, smokey hues and bold metallics, this palette allows you to craft stunning looks that grab attention. Whether you’re going for a bold grunge vibe or a hint of shimmer, these adaptable shades make sure your eyes shine all day long.
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette retails for RM380 and is available at Sephora.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow
The Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow features a powerful formula that provides a stunning shimmer and sparkle with just one swipe, making your eyes shine and catch the light from all directions.
Ideal for achieving those striking, dramatic eyes that grab attention every time you enter a space, this liquid shadow guarantees your appearance is as bold and memorable as you are.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow retails for RM122 and is available at Sephora.
Teto Lip Makeup
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
If you want the perfect bold lip, MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo is the one to grab. This classic, true-red shade gives you a striking matte finish that stays vibrant and perfect all day long. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement; this lipstick is more than just a colour – it’s a sign of confidence, strength, and style.
With Ruby Woo on your lips, you’re all set to turn heads and make a memorable impact.
Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo retails for RM120 and is available at Sephora.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
Ready to turn heads? The SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is perfect for those who love to be noticed. With a wide variety of shades – from bold reds to daring purples and every adventurous colour in between – this long-lasting formula delivers striking, matte colour that lasts for up to 16 hours.
No smudging, no fading, just vibrant lips that match your energy from day to night.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick retails for RM42.90 and is available on the Maybelline website.
Makeup for Egen Types
IU’s natural and soft makeup style truly captures the essence of egen energy – it’s graceful, subtle, and effortlessly feminine. Her delicate skin shines with a smooth, fresh base, while soft, natural eyeshadow shades and a barely-there lip enhance her beauty.
This makeup approach is all about embracing a refined, understated elegance that allows your natural charm to shine through without being overpowering.
Eunha from VIVIZ adopts a soft yet radiant style with a glowing base and soft peach-pink eyeshadow, complemented by a glossy lip, perfectly embodying the egen vibes. The light, warm tones create a gentle and balanced appearance, while the inner glow adds a touch of ethereal charm.
Her makeup exudes a calm confidence, proving that beauty doesn’t have to be loud to leave a lasting impression.
The overall vibe of egen makeup is soft, refined, and effortlessly radiant – perfect for women who want to highlight their natural features with subtle, harmonious looks that feel both fresh and timeless.
Egen Base Makeup
Laneige Neo Cushion Glow
To achieve that perfect, fresh-faced glow, the Laneige Neo Cushion Glow is just what you need. This cushion foundation gives a dewy, luminous finish that boosts your skin’s natural radiance while offering lightweight, buildable coverage.
Perfect for the egen woman who enjoys a soft, fresh base, this cushion will help you maintain an effortlessly radiant look throughout the day. Thanks to its moisturising formula, your skin will feel as great as it appears, highlighting your natural beauty in the most elegant manner.
Laneige Neo Cushion Glow retails for RM182 and is available at all Laneige boutiques and counters, as well as Sephora.
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation
For a smooth and flawless finish, Kylie Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation is the way to go. This lightweight foundation helps to blur imperfections, giving you that airbrushed look while still keeping your skin’s natural texture intact.
Its breathable formula delivers the perfect amount of coverage, providing a soft, radiant glow without any heaviness. Ideal for your everyday look, it helps you achieve that effortlessly radiant and perfected complexion, all while subtly enhancing your natural beauty.
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation retails for RM160 and is available at Sephora.
Egen Eye Makeup
Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette Peritage Collection (#01 Prestige Pink)
The Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette in #01 Prestige Pink is a fantastic choice for adding a touch of soft elegance to your eyes. Its beautiful mix of gentle pinks and warm neutrals works to enhance your natural beauty with a subtle, sophisticated flair.
Ideal for egen women who love soft, feminine colours that highlight their best features, the smooth matte and shimmer finishes guarantee a fresh, glowing eye look that’s effortlessly chic.
Peripera All Take Mood Like Palette Peritage Collection (#01 Prestige Pink) retails for RM102.23 and is available on Yesstyle.
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner (01 Icy Pink)
The K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner in 01 Icy Pink is great for enhancing the delicate aegyo-sal with a subtle shadow and dimension, making it an ideal tool for achieving that soft, radiant appearance.
Its lightly pigmented formula perfectly defines the eye bag crease or double eyelid with just the right depth, and the ultra-fine brush makes for easy, precise application.
The tears tank powder sponge tip adds a hint of shimmer and dimension under the eyes, providing a soft glow without being too intense.
Crafted for effortless elegance, this liner helps you achieve the fresh, youthful look that is key to egen makeup, effortlessly enhancing your natural features.
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Lasting 3D Shadow Liner (01 Icy Pink) retails for RM73.59 and is available on Shopee.
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
For beautifully defined, soft lashes that enhance your natural beauty, the Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara is the best choice. This mascara gives you long, separated lashes with a natural, graceful curl, highlighting your eyes without excessive volume. Its lightweight formula provides a gentle finish, ideal for makeup that showcases your natural beauty.
Whether you’re aiming for a soft look during the day or just want a hint of definition for the evening, this mascara keeps your lashes in place all day long, delivering a subtle yet refined finish that brightens your eyes with every blink.
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara retails for RM52.90 and is available at Watsons.
Egen Lip Makeup
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig
For egen women who appreciate elegance, the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig is the perfect MLBB (My Lips But Better) shade. This gentle, rosy tint offers your lips a fresh, healthy shine that boosts your natural lip colour without being too intense.
The lightweight formula delivers long-lasting moisture and a smooth, radiant finish, making it ideal for anyone seeking a subtle yet polished lip appearance that blends effortlessly into a soft, everyday makeup routine.
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Fig Fig retails for RM65 and is available at Guardian.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink
For lips that not only look great but feel amazing too, the Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink provides a sheer, natural finish that’s perfect for that egen beauty vibe. Packed with nourishing ingredients, this lip glow ensures your lips stay hydrated and smooth, making it a go-to for an effortless, natural appearance.
Whether you want a subtle everyday glow or just a touch of colour, this lip balm boosts your lips’ natural charm with the perfect amount of shine.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink retails for RM180 and is available at all Dior boutiques and counters, as well as Sephora.
