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When a K-pop group drops new music, the members' schedules are kicked into high gear with televised performances nearly every day for about two weeks with various other media appearances and events in between. In the K-pop world, this promotional period is called a comeback. But a new song to get stuck in your head and choreography to learn aren't the only markings of a comeback — the group also takes on a completely different look. (It's also called a concept.) Several members dye their hair bright new hues, others start swiping on unexpected lip colors or swap out their smoky eyes for something bolder, and their outfits evolve from cutesy private school uniforms to edgy streetwear ensembles. No matter how a K-pop group changes up their aesthetic, though, the members' clear, radiant skin is a constant.
Red Velvet is no exception to this unspoken K-pop rule. This year alone, Red Velvet has had three comebacks with "Bad Boy," "Power Up," and "RBB (Really Bad Boy)." The quintet also debuted in Japan with #Cookie Jar. With each comeback, they flipped between their red (cute, colorful) and velvet (darker, fiercer) sides. Despite their jam-packed schedules, their skin always looked fresh and luminous, and their hair never showed a single sign of damage (which is something to be expected after countless dye jobs).
Curious about how they change up their beauty routines in preparation for their two-week limelight adventures, the five lovely members of Red Velvet took a break in between promotions for their new mini album, RBB, to answer some of Allure's burning questions. The highlight: Irene, Joy, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri shared their four comeback beauty essentials.
Before interviewing Red Velvet, I was convinced Joy, Seulgi, Wendy, Yeri, and Irene made sure to book some serious skin-care treatments, like a HydraFacial and lasers, in advance of each comeback to ensure their complexions are at glass-skin status. (I know I would.) Instead, they prefer a much simpler, regimented approach that we could all benefit from.
Irene and Seulgi agree that keeping up with a consistent skin-care routine — even when they don't have new music out — is the key to getting their skin glowing. "I've been trying to make a good habit of taking care of my skin," Irene says. "So I'm always prepping my skin and making sure that my skin-care routine stays consistent." And trying new products or adjusting her skin-care routine before a comeback is out of the question.
Over time, Irene has noticed using the same products on a daily basis keeps her skin healthy and glowing. "Choosing the right products and making sure I use them consistently really did show results in the long run," she adds. Although she doesn't share how many steps her skin-care routine is, Irene says she keeps it to a minimum à la the Skin-Care Diet.
Seulgi echoes Irene's sentiments on consistency prior to comebacks. "I think it's important to always take good care of my skin whenever I have the chance to do so," Seulgi says. "I, also, like to go with my usual products and routine because it helps balance my skin."
In the past, Seulgi's experienced irritation and breakouts after using new products. "When our comeback approaches, I try to take really good care of my skin, so I tend to try everything that is famous," Seulgi recalls. "But I ended up realizing that my skin actually became worse because there were products that didn’t fit my skin." Now, like Irene, Seulgi tends to choose a few products carefully with her skin type in mind.
Downing as much water as they possibly can is most likely a comeback essential for Red Velvet, but Joy and Yeri are serious about keeping their skin, in particular, hydrated.
With below-freezing temperatures in Seoul lately, Yeri says if they have to change anything about their skin-care routines before a comeback, they amp up the amount of hydrating products they use. "Our comeback right now is during winter, so I think it's really important for us to keep our skin hydrated to make sure our skin stays dewy," Yeri explains. My winter skin-care routine includes two different moisturizers, an aloe gel, and a cica balm, so I can only imagine what the number of nourishing products Yeri has in hers.
Luckily, Joy shares what she keeps her skin moisturized with: Etude House's Soon Jung line, which focuses on hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products with low pH levels and minimal, natural ingredients. (Most of them are also spiked with cica.) She swears she's not just saying that because Red Velvet reps the K-beauty brand. "I do actually use the toner, lotion, and overnight mask," Joy insists. Her skin tends to be on the sensitive side, so she finds the line to be gentle enough for it. If you're interested in trying it out, Etude House sells a Soonjung set for $31.
Masks are a must for Joy and Wendy. "During our comebacks, my skin tends to become sensitive, so I try to use more facial masks," Joy explains. Sheet masks specifically for soothing and hydrating are what she typically seeks out. "I definitely see that my skin is much more hydrated the next day," she adds.
Although Joy didn't share which ones she reaches for, I suggest the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask and the Innisfree Skin Solution Mask - Madecassoside.
Before even slapping on a sheet mask, Wendy makes sure to thoroughly wash her face. "To keep my skin bright and clear, I realized cleansing is important after wearing makeup throughout the day," she says. "I always make an effort to do all the steps from cleansing to applying facial masks routinely."
Although hair care is a consistent focus for Wendy, who slathers on a hair treatment every other day, the other members start prepping their hair around the time of the music video shoot. Seulgi, in particular, notes the preparation and care she puts into her hair depends on the style she has for the concept.
For "RBB," Seulgi underwent the most dramatic hair-color transformation of the group, going blonde for the first time since 2015's "Ice Cream Cake" music video. The "enrapturing" vibe of "RBB," as she calls it, inspired her new champagne hue. "I enjoy changing up my hair color because the different hair color gives off a different feel, even if the hairstyle is the same," she explains.
Before going through with the champagne change, Seulgi admits she had apprehensions. "I was worried about going lighter because of the hair damage," she says. "However, I just thought that if I'm going to try something new, then, I might as well go extremely bright."
After consulting with her hairstylist, they decided to lighten Seulgi's hair over multiple sessions — instead of all at once — to avoid damage. "So, in the course of two to three days, I dyed my hair a total of four times," Seulgi recalls. "Oh, and we also bleached my roots last to protect my scalp." Now that a couple months have passed, purple shampoo has helped to not only tone her hair and cancel out the brassy undertones, but also to keep the color bright.
With the North America leg of their RedMare tour coming up, I have a feeling Red Velvet will be tapping into this same list for keeping their skin on point while on the road. I don't have any performances planned, as I have zero singing experience outside the shower and karaoke, but I'll definitely keep the ladies' comeback essentials in mind in case one ever comes up.
Read more about the beauty routines of K-pop stars:
- Taeyong of NCT Opens Up About the Importance of Hair and Makeup in K-Pop
- The Rose Gets Real About the Pressure in K-Pop to Have Good Skin
- K-Pop Group Astro Shares the Weirdest Things They Wash Their Faces With
Now, get a peek into the day in the life of a K-pop star:
