When October comes, the entrance of the cosmetics store gets busy. New fall lip products come out, and as the air gets drier, more people come in to look at creams. And then two friends hold out the backs of their hands side by side and ask, "Which one is better, this or this?" Foreign friends find it fascinating to see that. Even international students ask, "Don't you put it on the inside of your wrist?" That's what she asked. ## Why the back of the hand is convenient Honestly, not every Korean person knows the reason they do it. Many people just copy it because everyone else does it that way. Still, there are a few reasons I can guess at. With the back of your hand, you can hold the product in one hand and apply it right away with the other, and you don't have to roll up your sleeve. It's also flat and wide, so it's nice for lining up several colors and comparing them. It's also easy to show a friend right away by saying, "Look at this." The method differs from country to country, and even in Korea, some people apply it on their wrist. ## The color of the back of your hand isn't your face color There's something to watch out for. The skin tone on the back of your hand is different from your face. So if you choose foundation or cushion compact by looking only at the back of your hand, it's easy to get it wrong. Dab a little along your jawline and check whether it blends naturally into your neck. Lip colors also look different depending on your natural lip color. It's best to think of the back of your hand as just a way to get a rough idea of which color family a shade belongs to. Testers are used by lots of people. Don't apply it directly to your lips or face; use the disposable swab or spatula next to it. If you can't see one, ask a staff member. It differs from shop to shop, so checking in person is the most accurate way.