Karina, the leader of aespa, has become one of K-pop's most closely watched beauty references, with her "sabang-teuim" (four-direction eye) makeup technique going viral on YouTube and TikTok in late 2025 and her appointment as a Chanel Beauty ambassador putting an official spotlight on her style in 2026. Combining a soft-focus base with precisely structured eye makeup, her look has become a reference point that beauty creators across Asia and beyond have tried to recreate, breaking down each step in detail online.
The "Four-Direction Eye" Technique
The viral element of Karina's look is a technique nicknamed sabang-teuim, meaning the eye is visually "opened" from four directions — the inner corner, outer corner, lower lash line, and center — rather than simply extending a single eyeliner wing. The look reportedly starts with a warm brown eyeshadow applied along the inner corner and the "triangle zone" just below the outer brow, which opens up space around the eye and subtly elongates it. A thin, precise eyeliner then connects and defines the shape without heavy exaggeration. Aegyo-sal, the soft under-eye pocket associated with a youthful look in Korean beauty, gets its own treatment: a concealer pencil cleans up the lower lash line, and a lighter-toned liner brightens the center of the area to create dimension. False or styled lashes finish the effect, opening the upper lash line while under-lashes keep the lower eye area from looking flat. Beauty commentary on the trend has emphasized that the technique is built around restraint and precision rather than dramatic color, which is part of why it reads as sophisticated rather than heavy-handed.
From Stage Looks to a Chanel Beauty Campaign
Karina was named a Chanel Beauty ambassador in November 2025, with her debut campaign built around a deliberately natural mood rather than the more structured stage makeup she's known for. That first campaign paired Chanel's Les Beiges cushion foundation for a soft, luminous base with the Rouge Coco Baume lip balm for a healthy, low-effort color finish — a styling choice the brand described as reflecting Chanel Beauty's "natural beauty first" philosophy. The contrast between that campaign's softer styling and her sharper stage and event looks illustrates how her beauty image now spans two distinct registers: precise, structured eye work for performances and red carpets, and a lighter, dewier finish for editorial and brand work.
Stage Look vs. Natural Campaign Look
| Element | Stage / Event Look | Natural Campaign Look |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Sabang-teuim technique, defined liner, structured shadow | Soft, minimally defined, little to no dark shadow |
| Base | Fuller coverage, matte-leaning finish | Sheer, luminous cushion base |
| Lips | Bold or gradient color | Balm-finish, natural tint |
| Overall Mood | Sharp, striking, camera-ready | Soft, healthy-skin focused |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Karina's "four-direction eye" makeup?
It's a technique nicknamed sabang-teuim, which visually opens the eye from four points — inner corner, outer corner, lower lash line, and center — using brown eyeshadow, precise eyeliner, and lash styling, rather than a single dramatic wing.
Is Karina a Chanel Beauty ambassador?
Yes, she was announced as a Chanel Beauty ambassador in November 2025, debuting with a campaign built around a natural, luminous makeup look.
What products were used in Karina's Chanel Beauty debut campaign?
The campaign featured Chanel's Les Beiges cushion foundation for the base and the Rouge Coco Baume lip balm for a natural color finish, according to the brand's official campaign details.
Does Karina's stage makeup look different from her campaign makeup?
Yes, her stage and event makeup tends to be more structured and dramatic around the eyes, while her recent brand campaign work has leaned toward a softer, more natural finish.
Can I recreate the four-direction eye look without professional training?
Many beauty creators have published step-by-step tutorials breaking the technique down, though achieving the precise, blended finish typically takes practice with eyeliner and shadow placement.
Product availability, ambassador campaigns, and trend details can change over time — check official brand channels for the most current information.