CLIO: the cult K-beauty makeup brand Kill Cover Kill Lash
In the pantheon of K-beauty makeup, CLIO holds a legendary place. Founded in 1997, this premium Korean brand has established itself as a global reference for professional and everyday makeup. Also owner of the sister brand Peripera, CLIO Cosmetics has become one of the most influential Korean beauty groups. Its signature: products with memorable names (Kill Cover, Kill Lash, Killin' Eye) and professional quality that appeals to makeup artists and discerning consumers worldwide.
At Ma Petite Corée, we included CLIO in our catalog, convinced by the professional quality of the formulations and the iconic status of products like Kill Cover in the makeup community. In this article, we deeply analyze the brand's DNA. History, philosophy, key ingredients and concepts, flagship products, adapted routines: everything you need to know to understand why CLIO fully deserves its place in your K-beauty routine.
CLIO: the K-beauty makeup brand founded in 1997
CLIO is a Korean decorative cosmetics brand founded in 1997 in Seoul, quickly becoming one of the historic pillars of K-beauty makeup. The name CLIO refers to the Greek muse of history in classical mythology, signaling the brand's ambition: to write the history of modern Korean makeup and leave a lasting mark on beauty enthusiasts' memories. An ambition fulfilled with over 25 years of existence and confirmed global recognition.
CLIO Cosmetics was built on a professional philosophy. The products are developed in collaboration with experienced makeup artists, ensuring stage-level performance accessible to the general public. The parent company also owns Peripera, a sister brand dedicated to young consumers, creating a Korean makeup ecosystem covering different age groups and budgets. This dual signature CLIO + Peripera makes the company one of the most powerful beauty groups in Korea.
The brand achieved global recognition with the Kill Cover (coverage foundation, launched in the 2010s) and Kill Lash (long-lasting mascara) lines. The provocative but memorable names — evoking the ability to "kill" skin flaws and flat lashes — have left a mark and become generational references. CLIO is distributed in over 50 countries and regularly appears in the top makeup picks of international beauty editors.
The Kill Cover and Kill Lash lines: the CLIO signature
CLIO's absolute signature is its Kill Cover line, which has become a global reference for Korean foundation. The Kill Cover Founwear Cushion and Kill Cover Fixer Cushion offer high coverage with long-lasting wear, no cakey effect, with a finish suited to every skin type (natural luminous or controlled matte). The shades cover a wide range of skin tones, with special attention to the neutral and cool undertones typical of Asian skin but adaptable to European skin.
The Kill Lash line revolutionizes mascara. Innovative formula that lengthens, thickens, and curls lashes without weighing them down or stiffening them. Water and light rub resistant, it lasts all day without smudging or clumping. The ergonomic brush reaches even the shortest lashes in the inner corner. A product regularly praised by international beauty editors as one of the best K-beauty mascaras.
CLIO also excels in eye products: the Killin' Eye (waterproof eyeliner that has become cult), the Pro Eye Palette with sophisticated and pigmented shades (Simply Pink, Muted Rust, Apricot Ground, etc. — each palette tells a season or mood), white and black waterline pencils. Lips are covered by the Chiffon Blur Tint (velvet matte) and Melting Sheer Matte (semi-matte hydrating). Cheeks benefit from the Prism Air Blushers and Cover Cushions contour. A comprehensive and coherent makeup catalog.
CLIO's flagship products
CLIO has several products that have become cult favorites in the makeup community. Here are the essentials.
The Kill Cover Founwear Cushion (or its Fixer version) is THE absolute iconic product from CLIO. High coverage long-lasting cushion foundation, SPF50+ included, with a natural luminous finish. Available in multiple shades, with refills to save money. Suitable for all occasions: office, outings, events. A must-have in the modern K-beauty makeup kit, comparable in quality to luxury cushions at a more accessible price.
The Kill Lash Superproof Mascara (and its Volume, Long Curl variants) is the brand’s best-selling mascara. Waterproof formula, lengthens and thickens without clumps. Ergonomic brush. Lasts all day without smudging. Available in classic black and brown variations for natural looks. A mascara many rank among the best in K-beauty across all categories.
The Pro Eye Palette completes the cult trio. Multi-finish eyeshadow palettes (mattes, shimmers, glitters) that are pigmented and easy to blend. Each palette is designed around a mood or season (Simply Pink, Autumn Breeze, Into Warmness...). Compact travel size, practical format for daily routine or travel. A must-have for fans of Korean palettes.
CLIO for whom? Adapting the brand to your makeup
CLIO targets a very broad audience of makeup enthusiasts. K-pop and Korean drama fans will find iconic products seen in music videos and series. Adults who want professional makeup daily will appreciate Kill Cover for its long-lasting coverage suitable for office and professional events. Young adults discovering K-beauty often choose CLIO as a premium entry point (guaranteed quality, recognized brand, mid-range price).
Professional makeup artists include CLIO in their kits for the quality-price ratio and product reliability. Skin with imperfections will appreciate the coverage without a heavy feeling from Kill Cover. Short or straight lashes (common in Asia and among European women with blonde/red hair) will find in Kill Lash a mascara designed for their specific needs. Fans of coordinated palettes who like to create mood-based looks will love the Pro Eye Palette. The brand suits all ages from young women to mature women.
Building your complete CLIO makeup
A complete CLIO makeup routine starts with the base. Apply your usual primer on prepared skin. Then apply the Kill Cover Founwear Cushion by tapping with the applicator for an even and full coverage complexion. For skin with heavy imperfections, you can first apply a targeted CLIO concealer. Set with a fine powder for long-lasting wear.
Move on to the eyes with the Pro Eye Palette of your choice. Apply a nude base on the mobile eyelid, then deepen the crease with a medium tone, place a darker shade on the outer corner for intensity, and brighten the inner corner and center of the eyelid with shimmer. Draw your eyeliner with the Killin' Eye waterproof. Finish with the Kill Lash Superproof Mascara in a zigzag motion from the base of the lashes.
Sculpt your face with CLIO products. Apply contour under the cheekbones, a Prism Air Blusher blush on the tops of the cheekbones, and a highlighter with the CLIO Prism Highlighter on the light points. For lips, outline with lip liner, fill in with the Chiffon Blur Tint (matte velvet look) or Melting Sheer Matte (hydrated semi-matte look). Set with a setting spray for event-long wear of 8-12 hours. CLIO recommends building looks around a coherent color family (rose-nude, bronze-copper, berry-plum) for a professional and photogenic result.
Frequently asked questions about CLIO
How to recognize an authentic CLIO product?
The authenticity of a CLIO product involves several simple checks. First, the packaging must be perfectly clean, with no spelling mistakes or blurry prints — counterfeits often have subtle but noticeable visual defects. Next, the barcode must correspond to a product listed in official Korean databases. Finally, the printed batch number allows you to verify the manufacturing date and traceability. At Ma Petite Corée, all our products are sourced directly from South Korea through official channels, eliminating any risk of counterfeiting.
How to store your CLIO products daily?
Optimal storage of Korean cosmetics relies on a few simple rules. Store your CLIO products away from direct light and temperature fluctuations, ideally between 15 and 25°C. The bathroom, often humid and warm, is not the ideal place for sensitive ingredients like vitamin C or retinol. Always close the caps tightly and avoid contaminating jars with your fingers: use a clean spatula. Respect the expiration date after opening (PAO) indicated on each package, usually between 6 and 12 months depending on the product.
Our CLIO selection at Ma Petite Corée
At Ma Petite Corée, we select each CLIO reference with the utmost care. All our products come directly from South Korea, through a verified short supply chain. Here is our favorite selection, available in stock and shipped from Seoul to mainland France in just a few days.
Why choose CLIO at Ma Petite Corée?
Buying Korean products in Europe can lead to unpleasant surprises on general marketplaces. Counterfeits, expired products, poor storage in non-air-conditioned warehouses: the risks are very real. At Ma Petite Corée, we import every CLIO product directly from Korea. Our team based in Seoul checks each batch before shipping to guarantee absolute authenticity and freshness of the formulas.
We also offer exclusive references rarely distributed in France. Korean new releases, limited editions, special formats unavailable elsewhere: our catalog is constantly evolving with new products selected by our Franco-Korean team. We test products beforehand to offer you only what truly works in practice, without giving in to fleeting marketing trends.
CLIO embodies K-beauty makeup in its most mature and refined form, with over 25 years of expertise that justify its status as an essential cult brand in the modern makeup bag. Find the entire CLIO range on Ma Petite Corée and let yourself be tempted by this brand that represents a key facet of contemporary K-beauty.
Also explore our other Korean skincare brands, our K-beauty makeup world, and discover our new arrivals imported from Seoul every week.
— Yeseo, Ma Petite Corée team