Find Your Perfect Korean Foundation Shade (For Medium to Dark Skin)

South Korea is renowned for its innovative skincare and beauty products. However, for people with tanned or deeper skin tones, the foundation selection at Olive Young can seem limited, as many Korean makeup brands primarily cater to lighter complexions. Luckily, a few Korean brands offer a wider range of shades. Here are four brands you can visit to test and find the perfect shade for your complexion. Two of them even offer custom shade-matching services and can make your bottle of foundation on the spot.

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TONEWORK

Part of the esteemed Amorepacific Corporation, Tonework is a new and innovative makeup brand that launched in May 2023 with a mission to help customers find their Authentic Color. Proudly Korea Vegan Certified, Tonework ensures that all its products are cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. If you visit their headquarters in front of Yongsan Station, you can explore their full range of products at their Welcome Lounge on the 2nd floor. With 410 testers available, Tonework offers a personalized experience where products are made to order, ensuring you find the perfect match for your unique complexion.

Instagram @tonework.official

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Try their custom match service at AMORE Yongsan.

No reservation is required for Custom Match service.

Address: 100 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Hours: 10:30 ~ 18:30 Everyday

Instagram @amore_yongsan

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HERA Silky Stay

Also part of the Amorepacific Corporation, Hera is a luxury contemporary Seoul beauty brand. Notably, Jennie from BLACKPINK is the face of Hera. At the Amore flagship space in Seongsu-dong, you can experience Hera's custom match service with 125 different shades of Hera’s flagship product, Silky Stay Foundation. Using patented technology from KAIST, the perfect shade is selected and then formulated on site.

Instagram @herabeauty_official

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Try their custom match service at AMORE Seongsu.

Reservation is required for Custom Match service.

Address: 7 Achasan-ro 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Hours: 10:30 ~ 20:30 Closed Mondays

Instagram @amore_seongsu

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You can also drop by the AMORE Seongsu store without a reservation and immerse yourself in the beautifully designed space. Designed exclusively for customers to experience, this space showcases over 30 brands and 3000+ products of Amore Pacfic, which are not available for purchase at this location. Complete with a stunning garden, an outdoor rooftop space, and an Osulloc Cafe, it offers a delightful environment to explore and unwind.

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TIRTIR

TirTir, the brand behind the red cushion foundation that's been taking over your FYP on TikTok and Instagram. Located in Hongdae, the TirTir showroom offers a vibrant and trendy space where you can not only shop their products but also enjoy a delightful cafe experience. It's the perfect spot to explore the latest in beauty while soaking up a fun and hip atmosphere.

Instagram @tirtir_official

Address: 5 Jandari-ro 3an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hours: 10:30 ~ 20:30

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DEAR DAHLIA

Dear Dahlia is a luxury Korean vegan beauty brand known for its inclusivity and wide range of shades. Their flagship store, located in the Dosan area of Gangnam, offers a unique blend of beauty and culinary experiences. On the second floor, you'll find a gastro vegan fine dining restaurant, making it a popular spot for both K-beauty lovers looking to shop and dine.

Instagram @deardahlia_kr

Address: 14 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Hours: 11:00 ~ 20:00

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Cover photo source: Peter Kalonji (Unsplash)