Five years ago, Princess Hwayeop's tomb was found in Namyangju. After an investigation of her tomb, some cosmetics, which Princess Hwayeop had used, were found. Most people just guessed that gentry women who birthed in the late Joseon dynasty might put on makeup. However, this discovery proved whether that thought is true. Hereupon, the National Palace Museum of Korea collaborated with Cosmax Inc. and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage and made cosmetics emphasizing Korean beauty.

▲ Prototype of Princess Hwayeop

The Investigation of Princess Hwayeop's grave was begun by a resident's report in Namyangju. When the resident was cultivating a field, she found some lacquer wooden horses and reported them to the city hall. After an urgent excavation, it was found that it is a royalty's grave. As a result of a reinvestigation, researchers found out that it was Princess Hwayeop's tomb. Princess Hwayeop, who is the older sister of Prince Sedo, was a princess of misfortune because she died young. There were many cosmetics such as fine earth which had a face pack function. a cream that was made with beeswax and organic matter, and cinnabar powder which was used as a lipstick.

▲ The things that are excavated in Hwayeop`s tomb

The National Palace Museum of Korea brought out new cosmetics named Princess Hwayeop, which are made by the National Palace Museum of Korea, Cosmax Inc., and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage. The cosmetics consist of white cream, moisturizing hand, cream, lip balm, and the foundation including traditional materials. Professor Jeong Yong Jae, who is the person in charge, said that they are the results of the enterprise of recycling cultural property which had an intention to make a new type of K-Beauty including the value of the traditional beauty cultural assets. The cosmetics' containers are another strong point. Their patterns are blue and white, which simplified the containers that were in Princess Hwayeop's grave.

▲ Production Presentation of Princess Hwayeop

To sum up, Princess Hwayeop is the cosmetics that mixed the tradition of Korean in the past and today's beauty. Many people are paying attention to Princess Hwayeop cosmetics which stand out in K-Beauty.

Oct. 24th, 2020

By Son Chae Yun