Analysis of makeup styles in different cultures around the world: the story behind beauty makeup

Analysis of makeup styles in different cultures around the world: the story behind beauty makeup

Makeup not only modifies facial features and improves complexion, but is also a way to express style, attitude and cultural identity. Whether you like delicate and transparent Korean makeup, or prefer three-dimensional and strong European and American makeup, or choose bold smoky makeup or nude "water makeup" on certain occasions, the popularity of each makeup is not only about aesthetics, but also reflects the cultural preferences and lifestyles behind it.

This article will take you from several modern makeup styles that are popular around the world to see what kind of "aesthetic codes" are hidden behind them. ✨

1. Korean makeup (K-beauty): watery feeling and natural filter 🌸✨

Korean makeup emphasizes "pseudo-bare face" to create a delicate, flawless and translucent skin. Key features include:

  • Light and moist base makeup
  • Straight and natural eyebrow shape
  • Soft pink or coral eyeshadow
  • Moist or matte lip makeup

🔍 Style features: Fresh, age-reducing, and friendly. 📍 Suitable for scenarios: School, work, dating, almost versatile!

💡Case

25-year-old Mina is a nurse who grew up in a mixed American and Korean family. She likes to spend 10 minutes in the morning to create a "clean and good-looking" Korean makeup, which not only makes her energetic, but also makes it easier to establish a sense of intimacy with patients.

2. European and American makeup: a fusion of three-dimensionality and tension 💋🔥

The European and American makeup style emphasizes clear contours, deep facial features, and pays attention to the "presence" of makeup. Common features include:

  • Heavy facelift (shadows and highlights)

  • Sharp eyebrows

  • Thick eyelashes + dark eyeshadow (such as metallic, brown)

  • Highly saturated lip color (red, plum, nude brown)

🔍 Style features: mature, atmospheric, aggressive

📍 Suitable for scenes: parties, photo shoots, business occasions or stage performances

💡Case

32-year-old stylist Carmen shared that when facing the camera or social occasions, European and American makeup is her "secret weapon" - it can instantly show confidence and control.

3. Boiled water makeup: minimalist and clear style 💧😌

The so-called "boiled water makeup" refers to a makeup that is almost invisible but looks great. Its difficulty lies in the details of "makeup is better than no makeup":

  • Thin and transparent base makeup to highlight the original skin texture
  • Use contouring to naturally adjust facial features
  • Use nude eyeshadow and lip gloss

🔍 Style characteristics: light, natural, stress-free 📍 Suitable scenes: daily life, sports, home office

💡Case

Lily, a designer working in San Francisco, wears a set of "plain water makeup" for commuting every day - not eye-catching, not greasy, but always praised by colleagues for "looking so good".

4. Smokey Eye: A symbol of sexiness and power 🌫️👁️

Smokey makeup was first popular on the European and American stage in the last century, and has now become a classic choice for nightclubs, parties and red carpet makeup. The core technique is to use dark eyeshadow to blend the eyes to create a gradient effect, creating a "mysterious" and "electric eye" effect.

  • Smudge black-gray or brown-gold eyeshadow
  • Thick eyeliner at the root of eyelashes
  • Low-key lip makeup balances visual focus

🔍 Style characteristics: sexy, rich, strong visual impact 📍 Suitable scenes: dinner parties, nightlife, stage performances

💡Case

Amira, a Los Angeles model, said that before shooting high-end fashion advertisements or catwalks, the makeup she most often specifies is smoky makeup - "it looks particularly tense in the camera."

5. Mixed makeup style: "free platter" under globalization 🌈💫

Today's makeup trends have long broken through regional boundaries. Many young people like to combine different styles to form their own "personal labels." For example:

  • Use Korean-style water-glow foundation + European and American highlight contouring

  • Match Japanese-style blush smudge + French nude lip

🔍 Style characteristics: personalized, flexible, unlimited style 📍 Suitable scenarios: social media, street wear, artists

🧠 Makeup is not a mask, but a language

Behind different makeup, it is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a cultural attitude. From exquisite Korean makeup, confident European and American makeup, to minimalist boiled water makeup and rebellious smoky makeup, each style is a modern way of expressing identity, emotions and aesthetics.

You don’t need to put on makeup every day, but understanding the style and meaning of makeup can help us accurately convey ourselves at important moments, and even resonate with others across cultural boundaries.