평범하게 대학 생활을 하던 예슬은 딱 하루만큼은 예뻐지고 싶어 메이크업 샵을 찾아가지만, 그녀의 컸던 기대를 꺾어버리는 아티스트의 모욕적인 행동에 좌절하고 만다. 그때 예슬 앞에 나타난 천재 메이크업 아티스트 유성은 그녀에게 사이다를 날릴 수 있도록 협조하고, 그 대가로 메이크업 화보 대회 [페이스 오프 신데렐라]에 참여하기 위한 모델이 되어 달라 요청한다. 귀찮은 일에 휘말리기 싫은 예슬과 그녀를 절실히 필요로 하는 유성은 과연 [페이스 오프 신데렐라]에 참가할 수 있을까?
This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026, and I definitely feel it met my own expectations because of my being so excited for it!
Yeseul was instantly a relatable character! While I don't struggle with my self-confidence as much as I did in high school, I don't wear makeup and do feel I never got that "glow up." I was very much focused on other things and deeply understood her desire in wanting to feel pretty, but being embarrassed to go to a salon-like place and have them do makeup. I admired her courage a lot, but I'm SO glad Yuseong came when he did and revealed his own secret!
And not just that, but when she becomes Yuseong's "muse" and how he went out of his way to get to know her, AMAZING! It really spoke a lot about his character because throughout the entire volume, he would ask her questions to see what SHE wanted and how she wanted to look. Truly, it was wonderful!
That leads me to say that one thing that surprised me most is how this volume really did teach about makeup! I enjoyed the focus near the end of explaining about different kinds of makeup and how they can be used. (Also, even applying makeup and how to do it!) I even felt pretty excited when they talked about using petroleum jelly and putting it on your skin after moisturizing because I've been trying that in recent weeks, and it really works! It was cool to see that mentioned!
I will say that my favorite part of this volume is definitely near the end when they decide on a concept for the photo shoot! I honestly teared up because that conversation and how Yeseul spoke up about what she envisions and questioning something said to her was extremely empowering. The final result was incredible and gives me goose bumps!
I am definitely going to be tuning into volume two! This first volume was impactful, extremely funny at times, and very heartfelt when it comes to beauty "standards" while not dismissing how makeup CAN give confidence, but not changing your entire personality. I'm very thankful I had a chance to review this thanks to Inklore sending me a copy because this is one I have no doubts I will continue to enjoy (and glad I already had volume two on my preorder list before reading this)!
I so completely loved this more than I expected to. The fierce but not sexy female warrior look was SPOT on. Definitely looking forward to the next volume!
4, I don’t know makeup but I appreciate learning about it via this series, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love this webtoon! The messages in general are super great and even though it is fictional and on a very ridiculous premise at some points, it addresses real issues that most people overlook when it comes to things like celebrities and makeup. I really adore the art and the plot is really developing well! Every challenge in the competition is super interesting and Yeseul’s personal take on every theme is really inspiring and shows that the first thing that comes to mind is only a scratch on the surface of what something can truly be.
Thank you so much Inklore for sending me a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!!
This book was extremely funny. I can’t even count the times I busted out laughing from the unhinged comments and cute chibis.
There’s nothing I love more than seeing an FMC come to love herself and grow into her own skin. And a green flag MC? Where he uplifts her? Please. I’m already in love. I need to get my hands on the next volumes STAT.
this was really cute and the drawings are immaculate. sometimes the translation was a little bit weird but overall i really liked it. i can't wait to read the sequel as theirs a lot that was put in place and that I don't have awnsers too. i really recommend!
For fans of True Beauty, The Makeup Remover is all about the power of makeup. Kim Yeseul is an average college junior with an even more average face. She wants to learn how to transform herself with makeup, but doesn’t know where to start. When she has a really bad interaction with an MUA who not only belittles her looks, but talks about her behind her back (where she hears everything), a flip switches.
This is where Cheon Yuseong comes in (and to the rescue). He’s been looking for a new model to join his team for a reality competition, finding the new face of a makeup brand. To really drive the nail in that makeup can do magic, he’s trying to find someone with a plain look and when he sees Kim Yeseul, he knows he’s found his muse. But getting her on board is a whole other problem.
This was really cute. Not only is the art gorgeous, but the story is fun (and makes me want to try out more makeup tbh). Seeing as how it is a popular webcomic (that until now I haven’t heard of), I now need to find it to read more, because the next volume isn’t out for months. 😭🫠
Thank you to Inklore publishing for my gifted copy of the book.
This is a series review because this story is complete and fully translated on the Webtoon app in the US (Go check it out!) I wish there was a physical copy of it in English. It should have been released like yesterday.
Yeseul is a college student who is an amateur at putting on makeup and wants to learn how to be good at it to build her confidence. A series of events lead her to encounter Yuseong a popular makeup artist who recruits Yeseul to become his model for a televised makeup competition.
This story paced well with lots of humor sprinkled in between the lessons t about make-up through the eyes of Yeuseul. Self-love vs. conforming to beauty standards was a big theme throughout the story. I was at the edge of my seat thinking about what Yeseul or any of the other characters would do next in the competition. Did I get invested in the side character stories as well? Of course, I did. My only wish they had more screen time like Eunhua the biracial model, or even that guy who literally wore clown make up every challenge. Their screentime was everything and I wanted to know more about them.
A cute and weird little story about a plain girl whose face is the perfect canvas for a master cosmetician. I like comics like this that not only tell you a story but also teach you about various industries, cultures, or techniques while you read. I especially appreciate that the comic regularly challenges gender norms, toxic men, and modern beauty standards. I also love the main character’s interpretation of what a female warrior should look like.
Looking forward to seeing where this goes from here.
This review covers the entire 130ish chapters on Webtoon, so read at your own risk for spoilers.
This was a really solid read, and unexpectedly engrossing since it was kind of halfway to watching a fictional reality TV makeup show?? A really strange combination of story elements, but I felt like it worked well. The plot is paced well, and draws on a lot of realistic conflicts and complications in interpersonal relationships to keep the story moving and engaging, though it is sometimes a bit melodramatic, presumably by design.
The MC, Yeseul, is relatable with self-esteem issues, but also a lot of courage and hopes and dreams. She's got a complicated relationship with her looks, and she really grows throughout the story. As does her foil- one of the other main characters, Heewon.
My main issue was that it felt a little too long, and the subtext of social commentary was interesting, but maybe a little much at times. It felt like the series had something to say about every major debate about the beauty industry all at once. This was exacerbated by the parallel story of Heewon, who goes on almost the opposite journey to Yeseul, discovering/uncovering all the darker parts of makeup and beauty while Yeseul is learning to love herself first and decide who she wants to be and how she wants to look.
My only other complaint is that the secondary MC (ML?), Yuseong, was a bit stiff and cardboardy - he didn't have much personality other than existing to help Yeseul shine and then to fall in love with her.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, but it felt a bit heavy-handed at times, and probably went longer than it needed to be to keep the story crisp.
3.5 Stars The Makeup Remover is an important and enjoyable read that dissects beauty standards, mental health, makeup, and dreams. Our protagonist, Yeseul, watches those who live in the spotlight. She has always wanted to be beautiful, like Heewon Ju, and popular like Seungwoo. When she asks for her makeup to be done to make her look like Heewon, she is mocked and flees in embarrassment. Then she meets Yuseong Cheon, a makeup artist willing to help her.
Yuseong sees a beauty in Yeseul that does not come from within. He decides to make her his model on the condition that she will hide her real identity and use a different name: Toseul. In the makeup show, she meets Heewon again, who ends up being her #1 competitor. On the outside, Heewon is perfect—a woman who meets all the beauty standards. Inside, she hates that she fits into the perfect mould. Many tell her they want to be like her, but Heewon is sick and tired of always being wanted only for her beauty and never being able to show what she really wants to.
The first couple of episodes are about Yeseul, curious, hopeful, but insecure, finding beauty in herself. She only feels beautiful when she wears makeup, and she soon finds herself struggling to feel beautiful if she doesn't fit the standard. Yuseong embarks on a journey with her throughout this competition and teaches her how makeup is a way of expressing oneself and the beauty that was always there. This was such a great start to the series about one's relationship with their face and body and one's relationship with who they are. ✅PLOT ✅CHARACTERS
This starts with something painfully relatable: Yeseul is just a normal university student who wants, for once, to feel pretty. Just one day. Instead, she walks into a makeup shop and walks out emotionally wrecked thanks to an artist who mistakes “honest” for downright cruel. I felt that scene in my soul.
Enter Yuseong: genius makeup artist, calm confidence, and zero tolerance for nonsense. He doesn’t swoop in to “save” Yeseul instead, he gives her agency, a bit of justice, and then asks her to become his model for the Face Off Cinderella makeup competition.
What I really loved about this volume is how it tackles beauty standards head on.
The art is clean and expressive, the pacing is smooth, and the character dynamics already feel promising by episodes 1–14. Yeseul’s insecurity feels real, not exaggerated, and Yuseong is refreshingly supportive without being patronising. I’m very curious to see how their partnership and the competition develops.
Thoughtful, visually pleasing, and quietly empowering. I’m absolutely continuing this series.
Me gustó que yo esperaba un manhwa de romance más del montón, y terminó siendo una historia que te hace cuestionar ciertos conceptos que como sociedad tenemos incrustados como "normal". ¿Por qué consideramos que eso es lo que está bien? ¿Por qué no podría ser de esta otra forma? Tiene un enfoque feminista que me gustó un montón. En mi opinión hubiera sido mucho mejor con como 30 caps menos, porque ya a lo último se hizo un toque denso. Amé como todos los personajes de a poquito iban haciéndose estos cuestionamientos, e iban creciendo como personas, dejando de querer complacer al otro para aceptarse a uno mismo 🤧 Le iba a poner un 7, pero
This comic is fantastic and one of the best I've ever read. I'm all caught up to like ep 60 it's so good. Great reflection on makeup and how we can use it to transform our confidence and how we feel about ourselves, how we can use it in our own way and the most important things is using makeup for ourselves, the harm of conventionality, the bad side of being beautiful along with the privledge of it, well developed characters all with many layers, and also the drawings are spectacular. I love the way this comic dives so deeply into sterotype and the harm of conventional beauty for all people.
Una historia que nos habla sobre el amor propio, la amistad, el trabajo en equipo y el descubrimiento de nuestro ser, como de nuestras verdaderas pasiones también.
Amé la historia, disfruté muchísimo el desarrollo de cada uno de los personajes, cada uno tuvo un desarrollo y desenlace que fue perfecto para cada uno. Me hubiera gustado ver un poco más de la relación de los protas, sin embargo, no me molesta que lo hayan dejado a la deducción o interpretación de cada lector.
Un muy buen Webtoon que si en algún momento llegaran a adaptar, me haría mucha ilusión de ver, sin duda tienen que darle una oportunidad y leerla. 😊💖
This volume is basically introducing the main issue: signing a model deal, etc. I really enjoy the style of the characters, and also the expressions. THE EXPRRESSION WHEN THEY HAD TAKEN THEIR MAKEUP OFF- they went from having anime eyes to just a singular dot as an eye. I just could not contain my laughter.
I will try to continue the series, hopefully when my laptop isnt being a pain in the arse and saying 'hMMm..can't reach this page' WDYMMMM
The overall message is super positive and sweet and I love how Yuseong treats Yeseul. This made me laugh at 3 am and honestly I’m so excited for Volume 2.
I also love the print book art that was included in the end. It was such a nice touch to get to know Lee Yeon and I hope vol 2 will have something similar!
5 stars! It was all cute all around and I LOVED IT!! Also im so proud of Yeseul for the end like yes girl, let the dead weight go!!
I CRIED OH MY GOD bro representation matters you would understand if you read it If you are more interested in the romance then it might be disappointing but other than that it is so good teaches you about self love and makeup as an art Not hating on anyone but it deserves the love and attention 'True beauty' got
Yeseul reminds me of myself in some ways when she can't take compliments and always doubts her worth. I also don't care for makeup much and this brought my attention more to how people may perceive that but I hope it isn't in such a negative light. I also like the makeup artist, how he treats her and tries to boost her confidence. excited to see them win this.
It was a very sweet history, with great characters developments. I already like content with makeup contests and this webtoon was just what I was looking for. Plus all the discussion of real beauty versus makeup beauty was great. But I was hoping the ending would be more cliché (I was looking for something with a bit more romance).
i finished the entire series and it was really good 😭 it has so many great themes and the plot doesnt only focus on romance (it barely has it actually) some stuff it talks about are the upsides and downsides of makeup and how its not for everyone, i recommend you check it out if you like this kind of stuff
idk if this review has potential spoilers so im marking it for spoilers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is such a wonderful WEBTOON, it has so many great references and also genuinely good make-up tips! Love the messages, and creative ideas. This is everything that I was hoping True Beauty would be like.
okay so im kinda cheating in saying i read this legit book, but then I technically did read this book plus the other 200 with it since i read the whole webtoon BUT STILL- ITS THE CUTEST MOST EMACULATE THING ON EARTH AND IT'S ADORABLE. i legit love it sm <3
One of my favorite Webtoons. Def recommend for young-adult girls or anyone who can do with some more body positivity in life - which I think most of us do these days. I wish the ending was a bit more conclusive, but overall loved it.
Beautiful art, and a very relatable story. About self esteem, and so much pressure being put on women to do it all right out of high school...the career and beauty. It's exhausting. I really enjoyed it, and will be looking for more volumes in the future.
It’s a fun idea and a quick read but it’s a pretty basic Cinderella retelling mixed with hallmark romcom. While there is nothing wrong with it, the book also just isn’t engaging and I don’t plan on finishing the series.