Are you bored of the same old smoky eye and bold lip combo? Looking to freshen up your beauty routine? If so, you’re in for a treat because we’re diving into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Japanese makeup!
Japanese beauty is known for its emphasis on achieving a natural, youthful, and flawless look. We’re talking dewy skin, soft brows, and just the right pops of color. Whether you want to try something new for a day out or experiment with some fresh trends, here are five iconic Japanese makeup looks you should try.
5 Must-Try Iconic Japanese Makeup Looks to Try for Every Occasion
1. Everyday Cute
This Japanese makeup look is a timeless favorite, perfect for school, work, or running errands. It embodies a soft, innocent vibe, giving you a fresh, youthful appearance. The focus is on achieving a natural, glowing complexion with smooth features and a touch of color that enhances your beauty without being too bold. The “Everyday Cute” style is about simplicity and freshness, with a dewy base and natural eyes. Here’s how to recreate this classic look:
Steps to Achieve It:
- Flawless, Dewy Base: Prepare your skin with a lightweight primer to ensure a smooth application. For the base, opt for a BB cream, tinted moisturizer, or a light foundation that provides a natural finish. Apply the product with your fingers or a beauty sponge for a seamless, dewy look. The key is to create a hydrated, glowing complexion rather than a full-coverage look, so don’t layer on too much product. You want the skin’s natural texture to shine through.
- Soft, Feathery Brows: Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse spots, aiming for a natural, fluffy appearance rather than a sharply defined shape. Gently brush the brow hairs upward and outward to add volume, and then apply a clear brow gel to keep them in place without making them feel rigid. If your brows are naturally thick, use a light hand to define their shape while preserving their natural look.
- Light Eye Makeup: Keep the eyes soft and natural with light eyeshadow shades. Think about pastel pinks, soft peach tones, or warm browns for a subtle, flattering look. Add a shimmery or satin finish to the eyelids to brighten the eyes and add dimension. Avoid heavy eyeliner or go without it altogether for a softer effect. If you want a little more definition, you can apply a thin line of brown eyeliner along the upper lash line. Use a mascara that lengthens and defines your lashes for an awake, bright-eyed appearance.
- Natural Flush: Apply blush to the high points of your cheeks, blending it upwards towards your temples. For the color, go for peachy pinks, soft browns, or a warm orange that complements your skin tone. Use a light hand to build up the blush gradually to avoid it looking too heavy. It creates a youthful, radiant flush that looks natural and fresh.
- Finish with a Soft Lip: Go for a subtle pink or peach gloss or a tinted lip balm for the lips. These products will add a natural touch of color without being overpowering. Gently apply the product to the center of your lips and blend it outward for a soft, blended look that accentuates the natural contour of your lips.
2. Igari Blush 酔い腮 (Yoi-Boru)
The Igari Blush trend, often called the “drunk blush,” mimics the flushed cheeks of someone with much to drink. This playful, youthful look focuses on applying blush in a specific placement, creating a youthful, fresh-faced glow. Popular in Japan, the Igari Blush is fun to recreate and brings out your natural beauty subtly yet playfully.
Steps to Achieve It:
- Start with Your Base Makeup: Apply your base makeup (foundation, concealer, and eyeshadow). Ensure that everything blends smoothly into the skin, creating a flawless base for the blush. Keep the skin dewy and fresh with a hydrating foundation or BB cream. Use a light concealer to spot-correct if you have any imperfections or dark circles.
- Choose a Bright Blush: Pick a cream or liquid blush in a bright pink or coral shade. These formulations blend into the skin more naturally and give a dewy finish. The cream formula is critical to making the blush look like it’s coming from within the skin instead of sitting on top.
- Put Blush to the Apples of Your Cheeks: Rather than applying the blush on the cheekbones, like in most traditional looks, focus on the apples of your cheeks, just below your eyes. Press the blush into the skin using your fingers or a makeup sponge. Once the blush is applied, blend upwards and outwards toward your temples for a diffused, gradient effect. It will create the flushed, “drunk” effect.
- Layer for Intensity: If you want to intensify the look, relayer the blush but blend nicely. Keep the blush well-blended and soft to give the appearance of a natural flush. Don’t apply too much product at once—start with a small amount and gradually build.
- Finish with a Natural Lip: Keep the lips soft and natural to maintain the focus on the flushed cheeks. Use a lip gloss, lip balm, or a tinted lip balm in a natural shade that complements the blush. Apply it lightly and blend for a more subtle finish.
3. Schoolgirl Makeup スクールガール (Sukūru Gyaru)
Inspired by Japan’s strict school makeup regulations, the schoolgirl makeup look focuses on a subtle “no-makeup” makeup style that enhances your natural beauty without being too obvious. This look is perfect for those who want fresh-faced and youthful while maintaining a natural appearance. Simple yet effective, it’s ideal for a laid-back, everyday look.
Steps to Achieve It:
- Flawless, Even-Toned Skin: You want this style’s natural, fresh base. Start your makeup base with a light foundation or BB cream that provides even coverage without looking heavy. Avoid using thick foundations or too much concealer. The goal is to make the skin look like skin—flawless but not overdone. A light layer of concealer under the eyes and on blemishes will help to perfect the complexion.
- Lightly Defined Brows: For the brows, lightly fill in scattered parts using a brow pencil or powder. Keep the shape soft and natural, avoiding sharp angles or over-drawn lines. The idea is to enhance the natural shape of your brows while keeping them looking effortless and subtle. Use a brow gel to set them in place without making them look stiff or unnatural.
- Mascara Magic: Apply a volumizing mascara to lengthen and define your lashes. Keep the mascara light, but build a few coats to make your lashes stand out. Skip the eyeliner entirely for this look, as the emphasis should be on the lashes rather than defining the eyes with dark lines. The mascara will open the eyes, giving them a bright, awake appearance.
- A Touch of Pink: Finish the look with a soft pink lip gloss or a clear gloss. The color should be light to enhance your lips’ natural tone without looking overly made-up. The gloss delivers a youthful, fresh touch, completing your makeup with a radiant finish.
- Final Touch: Make sure the overall look stays soft and light. The goal is to look like you’ve barely applied makeup but are still polished and put together. This makeup look is about simplicity and enhancing natural beauty without too much effort.
4. Gradient Lips グラデーションリップ (Guradēshon Rippu)
Gradient lips are one of Japan’s most popular lip trends, and for good reason! This style creates an ombre effect, making your lips look fuller and more youthful. Adding a pop of color is a fun way to enhance your look without opting for bold, full-coverage lipstick. The gradient lip is perfect for anyone experimenting with lip colors while maintaining a soft, elegant look.
Steps to Achieve It:
- Start with Hydrated Lips: Make sure your lips are hydrated using a nourishing lip balm before applying any color. It creates a smooth base for the lipstick and ensures that the color goes on evenly.
- Apply a Darker Lip Color: Start with darker lipstick shades like deep red, pink, or plum. Apply the lipstick to the center of your lips using a lip brush or finger. Avoid applying the lipstick all over your lips—focus only on the inner part of your lips for that gradient effect.
- Blend the Color Outwards: Using your finger or a lip brush, gently blend the lipstick outward toward the outer edges of your lips. The idea is to create a soft ombre effect where the center of your lips is darker and the outer edges are lighter. Take your time blending well to make the transition look smooth and natural.
- Add Gloss for a Plump Finish: Apply a clear gloss or a gloss in a similar shade to the center of your lips to enhance the gradient effect. The gloss will add shine and give your lips a fuller, plumper look while helping the gradient appear even more seamless.
- Maintain the Ombre Look: For the best results, ensure the inner lips are noticeably darker than the outer lips, but the transition between the two should be soft and natural. You want the gradient effect to be visible but not harsh or dramatic.
5. Bold Autumn Eyes
As the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to embrace fall’s rich, warm tones. Bold autumn eyes are all about deep, earthy shades complementing the season’s cozy vibes. This dramatic yet chic eye look uses a mix of warm eyeshadows, defined eyeliner, and voluminous lashes to create a striking, fall-inspired gaze.
Steps to Achieve It:
- Apply Rich Eyeshadows: Choose warm, rich shades for your eyes, such as deep browns, rusty reds, burnt oranges, and shades of purple or mustard. Apply the darkest shades near your lash line and gradually blend upward using lighter shades. For added drama, use metallic or shimmery finishes to enhance the depth of the colors. The idea is to create a rich, layered effect that gives your eyes an intense, bold look.
- Winged Eyeliner: To define your eyes along your upper lash line, apply a thin line of eyeliner. You can use black, dark brown, or even dark plum eyeliner, depending on your preference. Gently extend the eyeliner at the outer corners to form a subtle wing, which lifts the eyes and adds dimension.
- Layer Mascara: Apply several coats of mascara to your upper and lower lashes. Choose a volumizing mascara to thicken the lashes and create a dramatic effect that stands out against the bold eyeshadow. Curl your lashes beforehand for extra lift.
- Blend to Perfection: Blend the eyeshadows well to avoid harsh lines between the shades. The transition between colors should be smooth, creating a seamless, multi-dimensional look.
- Complete the Look: Pair the bold eye makeup with a neutral lip color, such as nude or soft brown lipstick or lip gloss. It allows the eyes to remain the focal point of the look while the lips complement the dramatic eyes without competing with them.
Unleash Your Inner Artist with These Beautiful, Trendy Looks!
These are just a few incredible Japanese makeup trends out there. Whether you’re going for a cute, everyday look or want to try something more daring, like gradient lips or bold autumn eyes, there’s a Japanese makeup style for every mood and occasion. So, grab your makeup brushes, unleash your inner artist, and have fun experimenting with these beautiful and trendy looks!
