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Fashion is different all around the world. And if you are in Korea, you will probably run across interesting fashion and beauty trends that just might not make sense to you. Here is a list of some of the most interesting, strangest, and trendiest of Korean fashion and beauty!

1.) Guys With Makeup

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Korean beauty standards in regards to men is a topic that deserves its own spotlight. It may be strange, culturally interesting, and in some ways tragic for some. But before you start scratching your head and asking yourself why, there’s a cultural aspect behind it. In Korea, first impressions are super important for all everyone. And that includes men. And those striving to find jobs or love all want an edge. Trying to look good is a practice and a skill

Don’t get the wrong idea: Not every man wears makeup! Men that use makeup try to use it carefully. The goal is certainly not to look like a fashion diva, but to have a well groomed and clean looking face.

2.) Frames with no Lens

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Normally, most people wear glasses to see. But not in Korea You may ask, who the heck wants to wear glasses to begin with? Let alone, voluntarily WEAR them without lenses?! In Korea, lensless frames have been a fashion statement for a few years. And having lenses in them reduces the ‘cool’ factor by a few notches. This desire hits the staple of many fashion trends in Korea and we guess that altering natural beauty is perhaps the hallmark of fashion!

Note: This was more popular a few years ago, but it’s still around (mostly for the young’uns )

3.) Couples T’s (커플티)

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In Korea, public displays of love have been taken to a whole new level It’s quite typical to see Koreans wearing couple shirts at any special event, or even just on an ordinary day! Couple shirts don’t necessarily have to be exactly the same, but you can also see people who go out in similar outfits: matching shirts with different colors, hats, and even backpacks. Oh, and matching shoes. Now that’s love at its finest!

Check out our friend’s Janna3000‘s tumblr for massive couple love fashion match making madness!

4.) Animal Pajamas

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Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to go in bed, all fashioned up? Even if you are slightly unfamiliar with Korea, you’ll know that a lot of people in Korea wear animal pajamas – even celebrities. Grab yourself a pair of animal pajamas! Koreans can be defined as hard-workers, hard-players, and of course hard-sleepers They for sure earned the right to slip into something more comfortable. And cute. Like fuzzy wuzzy animal pajamas

5.) Kkalchang (깔창)

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Is it height or heart? It’s both in Korea, because height matters! In Korea, you will see a lot of men wearing shoes that have a little extra heel in them, aka shoe lifts or elevator shoes (Kkalchang in Korean), to help alleviate any height problems they might have. You just slip in the heels into your shoes, and you’re set! And although this is used by many men around the world (Tom Cruise has been rumored to use these), it’s become a pretty common sight throughout Korea.

Curious what it looks like in action? Check out our video on kkalchang!

6.) Ahjumma Fashion

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One of the best ways to rock ajumma fashion is to have a big ol’ ajumma hat in your wardrobe. Typical ajumma fashion is loose training pants that allow for comfort, boots, and a huge brimmed hat to avoid the sun (also taken in the form of pull down solar visors). Optional: a towel for your neck. Ajumma fashion is quite strange, but has become an interesting part of Korean fashion.

Note: Ajumma fashion is not a compliment. It basically means you’re “unfashionable.”

7.) Circle Lens

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Circle lenses, aka contact lens that make your eyes look a lot bigger, is a huge fashion and beauty trend in Asia, and it’s definitely big in Korea too. Wearing circle lenses in Korea has become on par with popularity with for example, dying hair. In terms of styles available for circle lens, you will have an endless variety. Even colored circle lenses have been part of the fashion trend! So if you want your eyes to look like giant marbles, go pick up a pair of circle lens!

8.) Double Eye-Lid Tape

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So, let’s say you want to even out your eyelids without surgery, to achieve that double eye-lid look. Well, you’re in luck because Korea has a solution just for you! It’s called double eye-lid tape. Strange and bizarre you say?  It’s essentially a piece of tape is that is put in between your eye and eyebrow. It’s supposed to give you the illusion of a creased eyelid, giving you those oh-so-enviable double eye lids!

If you guys have any more suggestions, please add to the list by writing a comment below! Thanks!!!