Asian makeup looks are taking over the world.
Even if you’re not aware of it, you’re probably already using some of the innovative techniques that have their origin in Chinese douyin makeup magic, Korean idol perfection or inspiring Japanese extravagance. These trends have transcended cultural boundaries and become a global phenomenon that influence beauty routines around the world.
Here are the most popular Asian makeup trends that you should know about.
1. Douyin Makeup Look
Douyin, China’s answer to TikTok, is the origin of many beauty trends that are spreading around the world. The Douyin makeup look, known as the influencer makeup in China, is heavy and accentuates the features to look great on camera.
2. Faux Freckles Makeup Look
Have you noticed cute faux freckles, nose blush and smudged lips in Western makeup? They all come from Chinese beauty trends where the goal is to achieve a younger, sweeter look.
3. Manhua Eyelashes
Fluffy, long lashes that make the eyes look like characters from Chinese comics are the final touch of Douyin makeup. By using individual false lashes and lash clusters, you can shape your eyes to create doe or siren eyes.
4. Bold Red Lip
Forget the clean girl no-makeup makeup—Chinese makeup looks are bold and vibrant. Lip trends are now centered on full, pouty lips crafted with precise contouring, gradient techniques and vivid colors, like cherry red and bright pink.
5. Sunburnt Blush Look
Douyin makeup places a strong emphasis on blush, generously applied in vibrant shades and various styles. When placed strategically across the bridge of the nose, it creates a youthful effect by visually shortening the middle third of the face.
6. Circle Lenses
Circle lenses are the secret ingredient of many glam Asian makeup looks—they’re the final touch that dramatically transforms the entire look. Plus, they’re great if you want to try out fun eye colors.
7. Natural Brows
Keep your eyebrows simple and natural to keep the spotlight on the rest of your makeup. Douyin favors a bushy brow, so go easy on the plucking and lining. Instead, use a fine brow pencil to draw in individual hairs and achieve a subtly fluffy look.
8. K-Drama Makeup Look
Want to look like a K-drama main character? Keep your makeup natural, pretty and delicate. Add a pop of color to your cheeks and lips and a subtle shimmer on your eyes.
9. K-Pop Idol Makeup Look
K-pop idols’ makeup creates effects like adding more dimension to the features, tweaking the proportions of the face and looking naturally flawless. Idols’ makeup artists are pros, but you can get there too! Play with different makeup styles until you find the one that brings out your best features.
10. Soft Bleached Brows
Recent Korean eyebrow trends now use lighter brow shades that have a softer and more youthful looks. Many idols bleach their eyebrows, but if you’re not ready for that, try a tinted brow gel that’s one or two shades lighter than your hair color.
11. Glass Skin Makeup Look
The secret to glass skin lies in skincare. Korean makeup enhances this natural glow by applying loose powder strategically—lightly dust the sides of your cheeks and forehead, and skip the areas you want to highlight, like the cheekbones and the tip of the nose.
12. Puppy Liner Look
While the classic cat eyeliner creates an upward wing from the outer corner of the eye, the puppy eyeliner trend follows the natural lash line, giving your eyes a larger, more elongated appearance. It’s especially flattering for single lids and hooded eyes.
13. Pastel Glitter Look
The Korean makeup aesthetic focuses on creating a cohesive and airy look with a delicate balance between features. Subtle blush, juicy lips and impeccable but subtle eye makeup are at the core of most looks. This particular look includes all these elements, personalized with glitter and pastel lavender shadow in the inner corners of the eyes.
14. Sultry Glam Look
Create a sultry, mature Korean makeup look with tightlining that defines your eyes without overpowering them. Extend the liner from the tightline, starting at the outer rim of the iris and going outward.
15. Igari Makeup Look
Igari makeup, or hangover makeup, is a Japanese trend that mimics a rosy, flushed look after a drink or two. For this innocent, youthful look, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and sweep it over the bridge of your nose.
16. Jelly Lips
Japanese makeup often features juicy jelly lips that tie the look together. Non-sticky glosses help achieve this dewy finish, but the real magic comes from overnight lip masks that hydrate and plump the lips.
17. Cute Makeup Look
The Japanese cute makeup trend uses translucent eyeshadows, a luminous blush that adds a veil of color to the cheeks and a glossy, rounded lip.
18. Dolly Eye Makeup
Dolly makeup is an eye look that uses contouring and painting to create dramatically large eyes. Popular among Japanese fashionistas for years, this look aims to create an effect rather than natural-looking makeup. Many everyday styles draw inspiration from dolly eyes, creating a more wearable, toned-down version of the trend.
19. Anime-Inspired Makeup
Anime-inspired makeup, with its huge eyes, blurred nose contours and tiny lips, brings the stylized features of anime characters to life. While usually seen in cosplay, these looks highlight artistry and can be a great source of inspiration.
20. Soft Glam Makeup Look
Soft glam defines Thai makeup, focusing on natural beauty with an effortless finish—definitely not a no-makeup look. Expect a beautifully contoured face, emphasized eyes with thick brows, warm-toned soft eyeshadow, doll-like lashes and straight eyeliner. The lips? Nude, plump and pouty.