Beauty and the East

With the likes of Rihanna and Kylie Jenner launching makeup lines boosted by their star power, makeup trends from the West have extended their reach into Asia.

The soft, dewy look commonly associated with Asian makeup has given way to the bolder, brasher styles popularised by Western pop culture. Think thick, matte lipstick, smoky eyeshadow, and extended cat eyes.

The Nanyang Chronicle recreated three popular looks from Japan, South Korea, and South India, and spoke to three exchange students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information who hail from these countries on how they put their best face forward.

Japanese

–        Igari (hangover) makeup, heavy blush under the eyes

–        Soft brows and brown eyeliner

–        Shimmery eye makeup, pink cheeks and strong glossy lips

 

Asaki Kaminaga, 19, from Tokyo, Japan.

When did you begin to use makeup?

A: Around 16. I started with lipstick when I was heading out with friends.

What is your most important makeup item?

A: My eyebrow pencil, because I do my brows every morning.

Which facial feature do you focus on the most?

A: In Japan, the most important thing is how natural you look, even if you have makeup on.

What is a Japanese makeup trend that you remember most vividly?

A: Two years ago, there was this trend of really heavy blush on the cheeks. But the most recent trends are US-inspired – Kylie Jenner’s thick lips and matte lipsticks.

Makeup products in Japan are quite expensive, but South Korean products are usually cheaper. South Korean makeup store Etude House is one example.

South Korean

–        Orange-tinted nude makeup

–        Bushy brows, freckles and bold lips

–        Soft brown eyeliner, yellow and orange eyeshadow, coral lips

–        Peachy orange blush

 

Park Yi Bin, 20, from Seoul, Korea.

When did you begin to use makeup?

YB: I started in secondary school, but I only started using makeup daily last year.

What is your most important makeup item?

YB: Blush, but I use Estee Lauder’s Pink Eyeshadow on my cheeks instead.

Which facial feature do you focus on the most?

YB: Eyeshadow and eyeliner. Using them enhances your features and it’s actually not very challenging to apply. I think it’s a piece of cake.

What is a Korean makeup trend that you remember most vividly?

YB: The current trend in Korea is gua jeup, or “fruities” makeup – inspired by the shades of fruits, like pink and orange. Koreans are now more inclined to use pastel-tinted shades like pink instead of brown.

I think fashion goes around in a cycle. Koreans didn’t use to put on a lot of makeup, but with American trends, everyone suddenly began putting on thicker makeup to make their eyes and lips stand out.

South Indian

–        Extended cat eye, bronze smoky eye, nude lips

–        Warm reddish brown/bronze eye, false lashes, defined brows

–        Strong contour and highlight

–        Defined crease, cheekbones and nose bridge

 

Pranamika Subhalaxmi Shridhar, 19, from Chennai, India.

When did you begin to use makeup?

P: I started wearing lipstick when I was 14. I would do very crappy eyeliner and immediately cover them with my glasses. I first used foundation when I was 16, but I only started regularly wearing makeup last year.

What is your most important makeup item?

P: Lipstick – I really love Kat Von D’s Vampira (liquid lipstick), but it’s so expensive. I recently got a Colourpop LAX (liquid lipstick).

I’m trying to find red lip gloss – it’s a very 50’s pin-up look. Right now, I’m just wearing red lipstick with clear lip gloss over it.

Which facial feature do you focus on the most?

P: If I could do good eye makeup, I would focus on my eyes. People tell me I have large eyes because I’m Indian, but I don’t know how to take advantage of it.

What is an Indian makeup trend that you remember most vividly?

P: My mum was never big on makeup, so I can only think of lipstick and smudged eyeliner kohl (traditional mascara). I always see it on all my aunties. For me, it’s a look I’m most familiar with and it feels like home.

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Credits

Art Direction and Styling: Esther Soh, Roy Tan, Stephanie Wong

Photography: Hazim Zulfadhli, Yeo Wei Lun

Makeup: Seow Yun Rong

Models: Asaki Kaminaga, Park Yi Bin, Pranamika Subhalaxmi Shridhar