Ready for glass skin? A K-beauty expert is coming to Canberra to teach you all you need to know

Posted on 27 January, 2026

One of Australia’s top K-Beauty experts will be hosting K-beauty masterclasses and demonstrations at the National Museum of Australia.

From salmon sperm to snail mucin, 10-step routines to flushed blush, there’s no question that K-beauty has taken the world by storm.

Since breaking out in 2024, K-beauty has become one of the buzziest topics among beauty enthusiasts, morphing into something that goes far beyond a TikTok trend.

Now one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Australian cosmetics landscape, the rise of K-beauty is all part of Hallyu – the Korean Wave – the cultural phenomenon that has seen K-everything dominate…well, everything.

From music to movies, technology to food, the history, energy, innovation and influence of South Korea have been under a spotlight like never before. And as Australia claims the title of the second-highest spending K-beauty market per person globally (only behind South Korea), according to data from Future Market Insights, it looks like this beauty boom isn’t going anywhere.

But what makes it so special? According to Samantha Hallal, educator, skincare enthusiast and founder of KBeauty Australia, it’s the holistic approach to skincare fused with innovative techniques that is seeing people ditch mainstream skincare for K-beauty products.

“It’s not just the skincare itself. It’s about more of a holistic lifestyle approach in terms of diet, taking care of yourself, and layering ingredients. It’s all about gentle products and preventative measures,” she explains.

“It’s 10-step routines, double cleansing and being consistent as a form of self-care.”

Launching K-Beauty Australia – a Sydney-based e-commerce store – in 2017, Samantha is one of the leading K-beauty experts in Australia.

With a PhD in biochemistry, and an interest in the science of skincare (as well as formulation chemistry), she discovered K-beauty when she started exploring the idea of creating her own formulations.

Eight years after falling in love with the innovative techniques that Korean skincare has to offer, Samantha is still passionate about the South Korean beauty products that span from skincare to make-up and hair care.

Now, she’s bringing her experience to Canberra for a special K-beauty masterclass and demonstration at the National Museum of Australia. With two sessions available across two days, it’s a unique opportunity to pick her brain.

“The whole purpose of the workshop is for people who are new to K-beauty and don’t know much about it but want to learn,” says Samantha.

“I’ll be talking about the products that are popular, the ingredients that are popular, and my predictions for trends in 2026. I’m going to make it a bit interactive with the audience by getting them to experience different textures of products and give them personalised routines, like what an example of a good skincare routine is.”

Some of the trends she says to keep an eye out for? Think haircare, cleansing milks, azelaic acid and more.

Also diving into the rise of K-beauty and how it’s exploded in the Western world, the workshop has been developed in partnership with K-beauty brand Round Lab and is being run alongside the blockbuster exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave.

Samantha says she is excited to share her knowledge with Canberra audiences and is ready to help introduce K-beauty to those who have always wondered why serums infused with snail mucin have become a part of skincare routines around the world.

“They’re always coming up with new ideas…I believe that it [K-beauty] has exploded because the products have a lot of unique texture and formulations,” she says.

“A lot of these things you don’t find in Western skincare. And sometimes it’s the experience that makes it a lot more interesting too.”

But does she feel validated that the business she launched eight years ago is now a part of something that’s evolved from a viral trend to an economic powerhouse? In short, yes.

“I didn’t expect it to happen this way. I could see the potential… It is validating, but it’s not surprising.”

Fuelled by viral content and trends, Samantha understands that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the products available in the K-beauty market. While she hopes her workshop will provide a launch pad for people to comfortably dive into K-beauty, Samantha also has some advice for those curious to try it for themselves.

Keep it simple – something that is the polar opposite to the 10-step Korean skin-care routine.

“If you start with a complex routine, it’s going to be overwhelming, and then you probably won’t end up following through with it anyway,” she says.

“Some people choose to do the 10-step routine and others don’t. You don’t have to do it, but it’s nice to be able to have that time for self-care. In my opinion, it’s better to be more consistent and have a few steps.”

The K-beauty masterclasses and demonstrations are suitable for ages 16 and above and will be held on Saturday 14 February and Sunday 15 February at the National Museum of Australia.

Pre- or post-workshop you’ll also be able to shop K-beauty products in the Hallyu! The Korean Wave shop so you can achieve that coveted glass skin for yourself.

Whether you’re a skincare novice or a beauty enthusiast, this is your chance to find out what all the fuss is about.

THE ESSENTIALS

Photography supplied.