A recent viral post showcasing aespa’s Karina’s dramatic makeup transformation has taken the internet by storm, highlighting the striking contrast between her bare face and full makeup looks. Fans and netizens are buzzing with opinions on her natural beauty, makeup skills, and evolving style.
Viral Post Ignites Discussion
On April 25, 2025, a post on the Korean online community Pann titled “Karina seems to be really good at makeup” gained nearly 35,000 views. It featured side-by-side images of Karina without makeup and with her signature full glam look. The caption noted, “I’ve never seen someone with such a noticeable difference between their bare face and makeup.” This comparison sparked widespread debate among fans about beauty standards and makeup’s transformative power.
The bare-faced photo, reportedly taken at an airport, showed Karina with minimal cosmetics, revealing her natural features. In contrast, the full makeup image highlighted her bold eye makeup, defined brows, and vibrant lip color, emphasizing her AI-like visuals. Fans praised her versatility, with some arguing she shines equally with or without makeup.
“Karina is still beautiful, whether she’s bare-faced or wearing full makeup. Her face is perfectly balanced with sharp features, unlike some people who just look awkward.”
“The difference is huge, but she’s stunning either way. Her makeup skills are top-notch!”
Karina’s Bare-Faced Beauty Moments
Karina has previously stunned fans with her bare-faced visuals. In June 2021, a behind-the-scenes video for aespa’s “Black Mamba” showed her practicing scuba diving without makeup. Her flawless skin, small face, tall nose, and big eyes left netizens in awe. Fans commented on her innocent charm, contrasting her charismatic stage persona.
“Your bare face is so cute.”
“It’s shocking because you’re so pretty.”
“I think I prefer Karina’s bare face.”
Another instance occurred on September 27, 2024, when Karina appeared at Incheon Airport with no makeup, shyly hiding behind her phone. Despite her shyness, fans captured photos showcasing her flawless bare-faced beauty, proving she looked stage-ready even without cosmetics.
“Karina being shy about showing her bare face when she literally looks like this pls.”
In August 2024, a “no makeup” photo of Karina circulated online, featuring minimal cosmetics like lipstick and light foundation. Fans noted her gentle, innocent vibe without her usual heavy stage makeup, sparking discussions about her natural allure.
“It’s just that her pupils are small, so the only difference is the lenses. Her stage makeup is so thick and the lenses are big as well, so of course it looks different when she has light makeup or a bare face, but she’s still pretty.”
Evolution of Karina’s Makeup Style
Karina’s makeup has evolved significantly since aespa’s debut in 2020. Early on, her bold, smoky eye makeup earned her the nickname “Snake,” later softened to “Cat” among fans. Her intense eye shadow and thick brows created a fierce, AI-inspired look.
In 2022, Karina switched makeup studios, reportedly from Jy187 Studio to Overmars, leading to a softer, more natural style. Her eye makeup became lighter, with thinner, longer brows, giving a Western-inspired vibe. This shift prompted fans to describe her as “puppy-like,” highlighting her approachable charm.
“Seeing Karina with light makeup for the first time, she’s adorable and puppy-like.”
By January 2025, Karina experimented with bolder looks again. At the 39th Golden Disc Awards in Japan, she sported darker eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lipstick, adding intensity to her stage presence. Fans praised this return to dramatic styling, noting it enhanced her gorgeous visuals.
However, not all makeup choices were universally praised. In August 2024, a MUSINSA Beauty photoshoot featuring heavy makeup drew criticism from some netizens, who felt it overshadowed her natural features. Others defended the look, citing the shoot’s dramatic concept and lighting.
“That shot was taken when she had the heaviest makeup on for the shoot. It was a full-on smoky makeup look.”
“It’s just that the makeup was done for the concept of that particular shoot.”
Fan Reactions and Beauty Standards
The viral Pann post fueled discussions about Karina’s beauty and the role of makeup in shaping perceptions. Some fans admired her ability to pull off both heavy and minimal looks, while others debated whether lighter makeup better showcased her natural features.
“The most liked comment advocated for lighter makeup, suggesting that Karina’s natural features might get overshadowed by heavier applications.”
On instiz, fans noted how Karina’s makeup shifts altered her image from “cat-like” to “puppy-like.” They appreciated her versatility, with many embracing her softer, bare-faced charm.
“Even on stage she’s a total idol.”
“I can see that makeup can really change the aura of a person.”
The debate also touched on Korean beauty standards, with some netizens arguing that Karina’s bare face challenged the expectation of heavy idol makeup. Her confidence in showcasing minimal looks inspired fans to embrace their own natural beauty.
Karina’s Influence and Recent Activities
Karina’s makeup transformation isn’t just a visual change; it reflects her growing influence. In August 2024, she ranked No. 1 in the Idol Individual Brand Reputation Rankings, with keywords like “transformed,” “Supernova,” and “Ambassador” dominating analyses. Her positive ratio of big data was 91.70%, underscoring her popularity.
“In August 2024, aespa Karina’s ranked first in the Idol Individual Brand Reputation Rankings. The brand showed high link analysis with words including, ‘transformed, challenged, and lovely.’” – Koo Chang Hwan, Korean Business Research Institute
Recently, Karina’s bare-faced look in a March 2025 YouTube video went viral, further cementing her status as a beauty icon. Her ability to captivate with minimal makeup continues to trend online.
Beyond visuals, Karina remains active with aespa. The group won multiple awards at the 39th Golden Disc Awards and delivered a stunning performance. Karina also made headlines for her ceremonial first pitch at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, where her charm brought luck to the Lotte Giants’ victory.
Current Buzz Around Karina
As of April 2025, Karina’s makeup transformation remains a hot topic across platforms like Pann, instiz, and X. Fans continue to share side-by-side comparisons, celebrating her ability to shine in any style. Her recent bold makeup at the Golden Disc Awards and minimal looks at casual outings keep the conversation alive. Posts on X highlight her viral impact, with fans praising her adaptability and natural beauty.
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CREDITS: Nate Pann
