Bestselling author Susan Lee transforms her passion for K-beauty into a powerful narrative of self-care and representation, revealing how skincare rituals fuel her creative process and redefine beauty standards in her groundbreaking romance novels.
For Susan Lee, the USA Today bestselling author of Julia Song Is Undateable, Korean beauty represents far more than cosmetics—it’s a transformative practice of self-worth and cultural identity. In an exclusive interview, Lee reveals how K-beauty rituals became the foundation of both her writing process and her personal philosophy, challenging Western beauty standards while creating authentic representation in romance literature.
The Skincare CEO That Started It All
Lee’s journey into the world of K-beauty storytelling began unexpectedly when an editor suggested she write about a Korean CEO—specifically one leading a skincare company. “That kind of just stuck it in my head,” Lee explains. Having built a corporate career herself, Lee understood the complexities of powerful women in business. Combining this with her personal investment in skincare created the perfect foundation for her breakout adult romance debut.
Beyond Aesthetics: The Self-Care Revolution
What sets Lee’s approach apart is her fundamental belief that K-beauty is primarily about self-care rather than mere aesthetics. “Korean skincare, especially in my life, is not just about the exterior,” she emphasizes. “It’s mostly about self-care. I get to take this time each day, morning and night, to take care of myself.”
This philosophy directly challenges Western beauty conventions that previously misdiagnosed her skin needs. “Western beauty standards had always told me that, because I was acne-prone, I had oily skin. And it turned out I actually had quite dry skin,” Lee reveals. This personal discovery informs both her routine and her writing, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s unique needs rather than following generic advice.
The Product Philosophy: Skin Flooding and Korean Sunscreen
Lee’s skincare approach centers on what she calls “skin flooding”—layering multiple toners and moisturizers to achieve optimal hydration. Her routine includes:
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence: A toner-serum hybrid that some use as a standalone moisturizer
- Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream: A heavy-feeling cream that absorbs completely without residue
- Korean sunscreen: Her non-negotiable daily essential
Lee particularly champions Korean sunscreen formulations, noting they outperform American options because “the formulations in the US haven’t changed in over, like, 25 years. The FDA has not improved on that.” Korean sunscreens combine skincare benefits with protection, avoiding the white cast and thick texture of Western alternatives.
Writing Process and Creative Fuel
Lee’s approach to writing mirrors her adaptable skincare philosophy. “I’m not married to any process, and I don’t hold anything too precious,” she explains. Having abandoned rigid writing schedules, she now works in focused three-hour blocks—6-9 AM and 6-9 PM—without guilt about the time between.
This flexibility extends to her creative inspiration, which she acknowledges comes heavily from K-dramas. “I joke that my books are like a fanfic of K-drama,” she says. Her upcoming projects include exploring different romantic genres, including something atmospheric like the film Past Lives and even a monster romance.
Travel and Treatment Essentials
For Lee, skincare becomes particularly crucial during travel and book tours. She relies on sheet masks during flights, specifically praising Medicube’s PDRN mask and Dr. Jart+’s milky formulation. “I feel like my skin drinks that stuff,” she says of the Dr. Jart+ masks.
Eye patches have also become essential preparation tools. “I just recently got Topicals eye patches—they’re not flimsy,” she notes. “They’re actually quite durable, don’t slip all over my face, and the moment I put them on, I feel a cooling effect.”
Minimalism in Makeup, Maximalism in Confidence
Lee’s makeup philosophy has evolved significantly from her days of full-coverage foundation. “As I’ve gotten older, I’m just more confident about taking care of my skin,” she explains. Now, she often wears nothing but sunscreen for daily activities, reserving makeup for events.
Her event makeup follows Korean beauty principles: “I use a Korean makeup style. So even my blush placement is more under my eye than it would be on my cheekbone. Koreans really don’t do a lot of contouring, or it’s very light.” The one constant? Strip lashes—specifically Ardell 421—which she applies herself despite attempts at individual lashes.
The Cultural Significance of Representation
Beyond personal routine, Lee’s work carries the weight of representation she lacked growing up. “When I was growing up, I didn’t see girls like me on the covers of books,” she reflects. “They weren’t the ones that were being cast as the girlfriend of the football player or, you know, even the CEO.”
This absence drives her to create stories where characters “find beauty from within, and that beauty is also you believing in what makes you beautiful and investing in that for yourself.” Her writing intentionally explores identity without being “in-your-face,” allowing readers to see themselves in powerful, nuanced roles.
From YA to Adult: Evolving With Her Audience
Lee’s transition from young adult to adult romance felt natural, as she predominantly reads adult romance. “I wanted something that seamlessly felt like the girls I write about in YA grew up,” she explains. While she approaches YA with a sense of responsibility to build confidence in young readers, adult romance becomes “therapy and joy,” allowing her to dissect life choices and observations.
Her forthcoming adult novel, See You at the Sunset, continues this exploration while she also works on her fourth YA novel, completing her current contracts in both categories.
The Future of K-Beauty in Literature
Lee’s work arrives as Korean beauty and culture experience unprecedented global influence. With Olive Young—what she describes as “a perfect blend of Sephora, Ulta… and Duane Reade”—expanding to Los Angeles, access to K-beauty products continues growing beyond specialty stores.
As both an author and skincare enthusiast, Lee represents a new generation of creators blending cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling. Her work demonstrates how specific beauty practices can universalize themes of self-acceptance, care, and empowerment—proving that the most personal routines often make the most powerful stories.
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